N.C. State aims to keep students from urinating in stadium seats

N.C. State aims to keep students from urinating in stadium seats


Elizabeth Dunbar
Associated Press Writer
September 29, 2006


The student sections at college football games are usually a little unruly, but student leaders at North Carolina State University just want the urinating to stop.

And the problem isn't just a rowdy bunch of intoxicated fans. Students say efforts aimed at preventing overcrowding in the student section at Carter-Finley Stadium led some fans, worried about being allowed back to their seats, to stay put during the Wolfpack's upset win last weekend against Boston College.

"They didn't want to leave the section to go to the bathroom," said student body president Will Quick. Complaints about urinating and vomiting in the stands soon followed.

N.C. State uses an online ticketing system that allows students to print their tickets at home. They enter the stadium by scanning a bar code on the ticket, but enter their assigned seating section by showing the ticket to an usher. Quick said many students make copies of the tickets for the main student section so that they can sit with their friends, who may be assigned to a less favorable section.

And so when staff and police officers announced the section was full during last weekend's 17-15 win against the Eagles, some students opted to remain in the stands — no matter what.

"It was a bad image for N.C. State and for students," said Quick, adding that he was especially disappointed that it happened during Parents' Weekend. "We're not all like that."

John Dailey, assistant director for the campus police, said officers have worked hard to assist event staff in preventing overcrowding.

"It had been closed off because of safety reasons," Dailey said. "If I were a student and had a legitimate ticket, I would be upset too."

A remedy is already in the works for N.C. State's game against Florida State on Oct. 5.

"The plan now is to add a hand stamp to designate where a student is eligible, so it's not something you can pass off to someone," said Dick Christy, N.C. State's interim associate athletic director, who oversees ticketing and marketing. He said the plan will likely be finalized Friday or Monday.

Students would need the combination of the hand stamp and the ticket to enter their assigned section, Christy said.

Quick said the first student ticket-holders who show up at the games will get a stamp that assigns them to the main student section. Those who arrive later will be given end zone or upper level seats, he said.

Not everyone is convinced the hand-stamping will ease the problems.

Brian Simorka, a senior and board member of the student Wolfpack Club, said he's seen athletics event staff try a variety of methods to manage the student section. There will always be fans who come to football games drunk and unruly, he said.

"It's really hard to control all that. I think they do the best job they possibly can with the circumstances," he said.

 

I saw this story on a blog somewhere and thought it was a joke until I saw the AP byline.

 

gulity

 

will quick's sisters boobies are on the internet....

 

i found the picture of his sister "freeing dem tittays".

 

:anonymous:

 

http://newsobserver.com/content/multimedia/sports/dynamite/

 

professor, you owe me 2 minutes of my life back

 

well?