FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[sjusection105]

At the St. Thomas / Linfield football game I ran into Steve Fritz (UST AD and basketball coach) on the sideline.  As diplomatically as I could, I registered my personal complaint regarding the new visitor side seating at  O'Shaughnessy. 

I stated that for years and years St. John's brings big crowds to St. Thomas.  We pay our money and then have to stand on the sidelines.

Now, finally, they add visitor seating to the visitor side and it is not available to the visitors.

Fritz did not react or respond.  Wasn't quite sure what to make of that.  I did ask him if they would be bringing in additional seating for the St. John's football game next fall.  He said they would.

To make things worse, it is no longer possible to stand behind the visitor bench.  The only standing area is the track from the 25 to the end zone.

To make things even worse, this new seating situates the Tommy faithful right on top of the visiting team bench.  It provides the most convenient spot possible for the rabid Tommy fans to make their feelings known to the visiting players.  During the Linfield game the Tommy fans were making good use of their perch to do so. 

Personally, I think the whole set up is arrogant and bush league.

Does St. Thomas have reserved seating on the home side?  If not, I suggest the SJU student buses arrive very early for the game and fill the sections behind the Tommy bench.

As one final note, St. Thomas does not allow the Rats "inside the ropes" at O O'Shaughnessy since they are not officially sanctioned.

R.O.R.- the last time I was at a game at UST(d) was 2008, I believe (stupid Mac leavening the conference -messed up scheduling- I personally blame One Armed Scot for this) and there was not yet the new purple seats behind the visitor benches. At that time there was no "reserved" seating in the original grandstand. There was a "Family Section" that was loosely "reserved" for player's families,however- during Duffman's era I did sit there with a buddy of mine who's two nephews were UST O-linemen.They were not of the caliber of Frank Rickard, so needless to say Duffman didn't get blown up by a trap play 

I agree- arrive early & select a seat behind the UST(d) bench!

[hazzben]

At the St. Thomas / Linfield football game I ran into Steve Fritz (UST AD and basketball coach) on the sideline.  As diplomatically as I could, I registered my personal complaint regarding the new visitor side seating at  O'Shaughnessy. 

I stated that for years and years St. John's brings big crowds to St. Thomas.  We pay our money and then have to stand on the sidelines.

Now, finally, they add visitor seating to the visitor side and it is not available to the visitors.

Fritz did not react or respond.  Wasn't quite sure what to make of that.  I did ask him if they would be bringing in additional seating for the St. John's football game next fall.  He said they would.

To make things worse, it is no longer possible to stand behind the visitor bench.  The only standing area is the track from the 25 to the end zone.

To make things even worse, this new seating situates the Tommy faithful right on top of the visiting team bench.  It provides the most convenient spot possible for the rabid Tommy fans to make their feelings known to the visiting players.  During the Linfield game the Tommy fans were making good use of their perch to do so. 

Personally, I think the whole set up is arrogant and bush league.

Does St. Thomas have reserved seating on the home side?  If not, I suggest the SJU student buses arrive very early for the game and fill the sections behind the Tommy bench.

As one final note, St. Thomas does not allow the Rats "inside the ropes" at O O'Shaughnessy since they are not officially sanctioned.

Have to agree. Finally seating on the visitors side, and its reserved for Tommie fans.

And the same bushleague antics occurred during this last Bethel - UST tilt. I was standing underneath the purple reserved seats and behind BU's defensive bench. (Just a few people down from Tommy Becker's parents I was told). The guys above us in those reserved seats were ridiculous. Cat calls at the coaches and players the entire first half. A few of them were flicking our coaching staff off (I was told this by a coach after the game). Apparently big bucks can buy you nice reserved seats at O'Shaughnessy, but not class.    Mind you, I'm only referencing what I experienced from these 'reserved' tools. I'm sure there were plenty of classy Tommie fans as well.

Bethel should do the same...only at home! Have the Royal Rowdies and students come early and take all the visitors seats behind the Tommie bench. Judging by the percentage of fans that were Bethel faithful last Saturday (and the smaller seating capacity of Armstrong Stadium), I'm guessing we'd have no problem filling our own side and the visitors. If this went on for several years, I wonder if UST(d) wouldn't eventually change their tune 

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I think in DI NCAA requires that the Student Section at football games be behind the Home Sidelines.  At NIU, they had to move the Home Team Sidelines to the East side of the field a few years ago because of this.  Even though the West Side is the larger side with the press-box and such.

I assume this doesn't apply to D3 Football, because of the smaller venues.

[tmerton]

Fritz did not react or respond. 

Well, he is a Tommie.

To make things even worse, this new seating situates the Tommy faithful right on top of the visiting team bench.  It provides the most convenient spot possible for the rabid Tommy fans to make their feelings known to the visiting players.  During the Linfield game the Tommy fans were making good use of their perch to do so. 

Sounds like this is only going to get worse.  If I'm SJU I think I'd insist on some changes before coming down to O'Shag next game.

Personally, I think the whole set up is arrogant and bush league.

I think that pretty well sums it up.

[stanbob]

A pity the ust(D) faithful have disappeared for the next eight months so we could watch them try to justify this.

[badgerwarhawk]

I think in DI NCAA requires that the Student Section at football games be behind the Home Sidelines.  At NIU, they had to move the Home Team Sidelines to the East side of the field a few years ago because of this.  Even though the West Side is the larger side with the press-box and such.

I assume this doesn't apply to D3 Football, because of the smaller venues.

At Camp Randall (UW) the student section is in the north end zone and wraps around to the visitor's side of the field.  The majority of visiting fans are seated in the southeast corner of the stadium.   

[DuffMan]

There was a "Family Section" that was loosely "reserved" for player's families,however- during Duffman's era I did sit there with a buddy of mine who's two nephews were UST O-linemen.They were not of the caliber of Frank Rickard, so needless to say Duffman didn't get blown up by a trap play 

Coincidentally, I have actually never played at UST  . 

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

I think in DI NCAA requires that the Student Section at football games be behind the Home Sidelines.  At NIU, they had to move the Home Team Sidelines to the East side of the field a few years ago because of this.  Even though the West Side is the larger side with the press-box and such.

I assume this doesn't apply to D3 Football, because of the smaller venues.

At Camp Randall (UW) the student section is in the north end zone and wraps around to the visitor's side of the field.  The majority of visiting fans are seated in the southeast corner of the stadium.   

Must not be directly behind the visitor's bench.

[02 Warhawk]

I think in DI NCAA requires that the Student Section at football games be behind the Home Sidelines.  At NIU, they had to move the Home Team Sidelines to the East side of the field a few years ago because of this.  Even though the West Side is the larger side with the press-box and such.

I assume this doesn't apply to D3 Football, because of the smaller venues.

At Camp Randall (UW) the student section is in the north end zone and wraps around to the visitor's side of the field.  The majority of visiting fans are seated in the southeast corner of the stadium.   

Same for Purdue University...it kind of wraps around to the visitor's side.

[Retired Old Rat]

At the University of Minnesotat the ten students that make up the student section are allowed to sit anywhere they please.

[sju56321]

But with Kill coming there you will have at least 20-right?
One has to wonder about the AD at UST(d) or whoever approved the seating situation-worried that your team is not good enough to win on its own, but win by distracting the opposing players and coaches. (As an aside, wasn't that the Rats own trick-ROR?-but then they were students, not high priced doctors, lawyers or accountants). And, what are they going to do with those seats come next year or the year after when the Toms are back to middle of the pack team?

[badgerwarhawk]

Must not be directly behind the visitor's bench.

They don't wrap around that far but the area immediately behind the visitor's bench is filled with BADGER fans.  The tickets provided to the visiting school are on the visitor's side but are in the corner of the stadium. 

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Must not be directly behind the visitor's bench.

They don't wrap around that far but the area immediately behind the visitor's bench is filled with BADGER fans.  The tickets provided to the visiting school are on the visitor's side but are in the corner of the stadium. 

I think the rule states the "Student Section" can not be directly behind the visitor's sidelines.  Not specifically Home Team's fans.

[Knightstalker]

UMU... You Moo...

Wasn't that the name of the nerdy girls sorority in Revenge of the Nerds?  Good news for the Raiders is that the Nerds won in the end.

KS believes that would be the Omega Mu's.

[tommiegun]

No justification. None needed. I, personally, loved going to St. John's for a baseball game on SJU keg/case day and warming up in right field where we were targeted by many a (always empty) beer can launched from atop the soccer benches.

Its a D3 football stadium with a capacity for like 200 people behind the visitors bench.  If your coaches and players can't cope or thrive off a minuscule amount of noise or some idiot talking trash, that is just pathetic.  I mean, I know the Johnnies suck and all, but I always thought our hated rivals were at least not thin skinned, uber politically correct, crybabies.