In light of recent events, there are not a lot of reasons to praise the goings-on in Williams-Brice Stadium, but the performance of the ticketing system is on the money.
But the money may prove to be the downfall of the system if student ticketing changes. There was a forum held discussing the possibility of foregoing the loyalty point system and electing a system where students purchase game tickets.
We feel the loyalty points system does exactly what the name implies: encourages loyalty. Students work for these points, trekking to soccer games, volleyball games and tennis matches to rack up the points necessary to get the coveted football tickets.
In the process students not only find enjoyment in atypical college sports, but the talented athletes that make up those not-so-mainstream teams get support from the student body that may not have been provided without the initial lure of an additional loyalty point.
Let's face it, college students won't often do anything without something in it for them. If not loyalty points, what would pull new students out of their dorm rooms and into the stands at Stone Stadium? How would students recognize how fun a volleyball game can be without a reason to go out of their way to the Volleyball Competition Facilities?
The loyalty points system gives priority to the loyal, and still allows the on-demand period for the students that are too busy to attend all the sporting events during the week.
We are one of the only SEC schools that do not require students to pay for football tickets, and obviously we think that's great, because with the tens of thousands of dollars we're paying in tuition every extra expense can be a heavy burden, and a reason to watch the game with friends at home.
While progress can be great, we think the ticketing system can be left alone for the time being.