Students get new seating
in Mackey Arena
By Purdue Sports Information
After extensive discussions with fans, the division
of intercollegiate athletics will introduce a new student section in
Mackey Arena for men's basketball.
The new section consolidates several areas of student
seating, giving the students a more visible presence in the arena.
"We have spent the last few months talking to (coach
Gene Keady) and the coaches, student leaders and John Purdue Club members,"
said Morgan Burke, director of intercollegiate athletics. "A lot of
ideas have come together, and the end result is a positive move for
Purdue basketball and the atmosphere in Mackey Arena."
The new student section brings the 3,000 students
together, instead of spreading them throughout the arena in several
sections. Placed at the south end of Keady Court, across from the players'
entrance, the students will surround the Boiler Brass pep band and create
a wedge from the floor to the ceiling.
The new student section includes parts of Section
6 and 9, and all of Sections 7 and 8 in the lower arena. In the upper
arena, the student section will include parts of Section 106 and 110,
and all of Sections 107, 108 and 109.
"This is a great move for our team and the fans,"
Keady said. "Mixing the students with the band and placing them behind
the visiting team should make for a noisy crowd. I think our players
feed off the crowd's excitement, and having the students massed together
will be terrific."
That mass of members of Purdue's student body will
have a chance to name the new student section in a contest that begins
later this month.
"The new student section is just the first step,"
said Lori Frost, Purdue promotions director. "Students have been part
of the process in planning the new section; now they'll name the group
and plan specific promotions and activities. We want the students to
realize they're an important part of the team."
Some of the names that have been suggested for
the student section have been the Gene Pool, the Mackey Mob and the
Mackey Wackies.
About 700 season ticket holders, totaling roughly
1,900 tickets, will be moved in the process. Those John Purdue Club
members will be relocated to new seats in the arena using the John Purdue
Club priority point system.
"In talking with some of the members impacted,
their comments have been supportive," said Greg Christopher, John Purdue
Club director. "I think all Purdue fans realize this is a step toward
once again making Mackey Arena one of the toughest stops in the Big
Ten for visiting teams."
There has always been uproar about the students'
place in Mackey Arena.
"I know the re-seating is an emotional issue,"
said Burke, whose seats will be moved. "Some of the fans have been in
their seats for a long time. Our process is fair, though, and the right
thing to do for the future of this program."
Keady said he's had to justify the arrangement
to more than a few people.
"A few of the John Purdue Club members moving their
seats are good friends of mine and have called me," Keady said. "Once
fans understand the reasoning behind what's happening and know the rationale
behind the re-seating process, the comments have been positive. I appreciate
everyone impacted in the move willing to help our team."
Purdue's first home game is Nov. 21 against Radford.
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