So, now that a full basketball season has passed, I thought it would be interesting, what everyone thought about the seats now. If you've seen my earlier posts you know my views on this (if you haven't, long story short, I am not in favor of them) but I just wanted to see what other fans/students felt now that a season has come and gone without (thankfully) any incidents.

I'm not going to send this to Athletics as some sort of petition, so if you want to do so go ahead. I am just posting this topic as place for debate...

I vote yes because all income from people purchasing the seats is profit, and we're in no position to say 'no' to good money.

I went to all but two home games while students were on campus and sat in the section above the O Zone. I witnessed no altercations between the O Zoners and the people sitting there. The only problem is the disconnect between the students and the cheerleaders. It doesn't have to be a leader up front, but someone in the O Zone needs to make it a point to chant along with the cheerleaders.

I'm sure it wouldn't be...but it helps make my point, i think.   

I didn't like them at the beginning of the season and I still don't like them. OZone should be on the floor with the cheerleaders right in front of them. Those seats take away from the atmosphere and look out of place, in my opinion.

No offense intended to any of you who sit there.

It would be interesting to know what the added revenue total is generated from these. I forget, is there banner advertising on the front of the table?

Uh, what? Seriously, you guys have the money to pull off at least one football and basketball game a season effortlessly.

I don't think it's a money issue, more of an organizational and leadership problem.

Without derailing this topic too much and without calling anyone out, I just feel like the organization of the OZone has gone downhill the past couple years. My sophomore year (2009-10) was the last time I remember it being run like a normal student organization. I think BigTilly was president that year, and we had regular, monthly meetings to discuss stuff like promotions and bus trips.

The next year things started to unravel a bit. I know we played on taking a bus trip to the 2010 Miami football game, but I don't think it was promoted well enough and the plan was scrapped in favor of going to two basketball games instead. I THINK they did go to the Miami basketball game that year, but there definitely wasn't a second basketball trip, so one total trip between the two seasons.

I don't even think there were real elections last year. I remember emailing the president with the position I wanted to run for, but the original baseball game when the elections were going to be held was rained out. They were rescheduled, but nobody showed up to that game. I don't know what happened after that point, in terms of who retained their position from 2010-11 and who filled in for other positions. I don't think there have been meetings at all this year, and if there were, the rest of the OZone was not notified and invited to attend like they have in the past.

There wasn't a bus trip this year for football or basketball, nor was there anything set up for the MAC tournament. It's a shame really, since I know the demand is there, especially given our recent success in both sports. Hopefully this can get corrected and things can get back on track for next year.