N.C. A&T: No game ticket, no tailgating : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

GREENSBORO — William Levette’s tailgate party at N.C. A&T’s football games usually includes his mother and father, his 7-year-old son, as well as friends.

But with fans now required to show a season pass or an individual game ticket to enter the tailgating area, Levette said he’ll be inviting fewer people to party, something he’s not happy about.

“I was a bit disappointed,” said Levette, a 2004 A&T graduate. “I felt like it was kind of taxing the people that have always been there to support the team through the good and bad times.”

Saturday’s game against Virginia University will be the first at which fans have to buy a game ticket to access the tailgating area. Those areas around Aggie Stadium, including the tailgating section and parking lot, make up the Game Zone.

A&T Athletics Director Earl Hilton said it’s a move the university has been considering for a year in hopes of drumming up more money for its athletics program.

Hilton has made the rounds to booster clubs and alumni chapters to spread the word about the new policy.

“We have got to generate more revenue to support our student athletic scholarships,” Hilton said. “We have built much of our success on the backs of our current students, and (we) have to diversify our revenue stream.”

But fan Greg Johnson said a full-price ticket — $25 general admission for Saturday’s game — is a bit much to ask for given this economy and the Aggies’ poor performance on the field.

“I think it’s going to be kind of tough,” Johnson said.

“They might have gotten away with this if they had a winning program right now.

“It still would have been a lot of grumbling.”

Johnson, like many A&T tailgaters, is not an alumnus. A&T’s football games, particularly homecoming, attract fans from across the area.

Levette said sitting in the stands isn’t the only way to support the university.

Tailgating fosters the university’s relationship with the community, he said.

He uses the experience to show off his alma mater, particularly to young people thinking about what college to attend.

“They get caught up in the love and Aggie Pride,” he said.

Wrenchel Stokes said his homecoming tailgate party attracts 150 to 200 fans.

Some are more comfortable socializing in the tailgate area than in the stands, he said, and the game can always be heard on someone’s car radio.

“It’s all about the tailgating for homecoming for me and a lot of other people,” said Stokes, a 1995 graduate.

But Hilton is betting fans will remain faithful.

He points out that even though the team has not been successful in several years, there are still nearly 2000 season ticketholders.

As the program turns around under new coach Rod Broadway, Hilton said, he expects A&T will be the place to be Saturday afternoons.

“I want it to be Greensboro’s team,” Hilton said. “I want everyone to want to be here.”

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 373-7080 or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com

claysmth

September 2, 2011 - 7:22 am EDT

This is long overdue. Too many folks hanging out in the stadium parking lots for free entertainment and not contributing one thin dime to the University or to the athletics department. Plus, it "keeps out the riff-raff," as the older generation used to say.

You can't go to the movie theatre and just hang out in the lobby without buying a movie ticket, can you? Why should this be any different? The University of Michigan and South Carolina State, among others, did this years ago. Good move, Aggies!

rooster8786

September 2, 2011 - 9:52 am EDT

Now, instead of corralling all the "riff-raff" in one area they're going to be spread out all over. What a waste of resources trying to watch them and over the community...

September 2, 2011 - 9:54 am EDT

Folks, before you get all up in arms, that was sarcasm...
I do like how they quoted a non-alumnus about the difficulty in now attending a game and his inability to tailgate.

Panacea

September 2, 2011 - 1:55 pm EDT

Why does he has to be an alumnus to tailgate?

tobi

September 2, 2011 - 10:13 am EDT

I would have to agree with this new policy. Many of these tailgaters are profiting off of the school but not contributing one cent. If you happen to be an alumnus then I could possibly understand. But non-alumnus could be considered those riff-raffs looking to make a quick buck off of a university event that they are not even supporting. What's $25 versus a couple hundred that you could possibly make selling your fried or grilled foods?

klive

September 2, 2011 - 10:19 am EDT

I don't see a problem with charging a fee, but not the full ticket price. Maybe later down the road look at charging the full ticket price, but starting off, the cost could be half of what a full ticket would cost. Most tailgaters don't go into the game and probably all don't mind paying some type of fee...Of course a winning team would help the whole situation. I am unsure of the comment that was made that referred to being built on the backs of current students. I beg to differ and hope that the AD realizes that what is there now is because of the sacrifices of MANY before any of those kids were a twinkle in their parent eye...

skinsfan

September 2, 2011 - 10:20 am EDT

I believe that NC A&T has made a big mistake in regards to implementing this new policy. I have several questions. What is the capacity of Aggie stadium? If I interpreted the article correctly, it stated that a "game ticket" would be required to enter the "Game Zone" area, and that area includes the tailgating area. I assume that this "game ticket" entitles the holder to actually enter the stadium if they desire? I feel this policy will backfire on NC A&T; particularly at the homecoming game. Anyone that has ever ventured over to NC A&T during its homecoming festivities knows that there are literally thousands upon thousands of people in the tailgating area. I would argue that just as many people were in the tailgating area as perhaps in the stadium at times. With this thought in mind, what is the plan by NC A&T officials if all these new "game ticket" holders decide to actually enter the stadium to see the game that their "game ticket" entitles them to do? My point is that NC A&T is betting that all these new ticket holders will not attempt to enter the stadium to actually see the game in an already over-crowded Aggie stadium. If the seating capacity of Aggie stadium is exceeded, and all the "game ticket" holders don't have seats in the stadium, it is indeed a violation and subject to the auspices of the City of Greensboro fire marshal. Or will A&T officials simply turn away valid ticket holders wishing to gain entry to an event that they are legally entitled to see?

Regards,

pixelpusher

September 2, 2011 - 10:45 am EDT

Well, the article said that this was a move to help get the athletics program more money. So, I imagine, that if more people are paying for tickets, that will allow for possible expansion to Aggie Stadium to accommodate the demand. I'm sure that if they require a ticket to get into the tailgating area, then the maximum number of people in the tailgating area will be equal to the seating capacity of Aggie Stadium. Does A&T sellout every game now? I don't know. Does A&T have disproportionate amount of tailgaters that don't go to the game? If so, what is the point?

Tobi remarked above that people are selling food, and essentially, pocketing money from an University event. If that is the case, then it seems the new policy is in the best interest of the University.

September 2, 2011 - 11:22 am EDT

Pixel,

You are missing my point. No, I don't believe that A&T sells out every home game. I was specifically referring to the homecoming game, and the accompanying mass of people that congregate in the tailgating area. I would be willing to wager a bet that A&T officials had no plans to count the number of people entering the tailgating area towards the capacity of Aggie stadium. Several years ago NC A&T officials along with the city of Greensboro moved all food vendors down the street to the old baseball stadium.

September 2, 2011 - 2:02 pm EDT

If the requirement is to buy a gate ticket, those are limited in number and cannot be oversold because your ticket has your seat number on it.

September 2, 2011 - 2:01 pm EDT

How will it "backfire" on A&T?

If the tailgaters aren't paying for a ticket, aren't paying for access, yet they are there on University property and their campus police has to deal with crowd control . . . at A&T's expense.

Now, if tailgaters are limited to those who buy a ticket, and which are limited to the total number of seats, that's a much smaller crowd to control and less law enforcement cost. If it increases ticket sales, A&T makes money.

How is that backfiring? Are you suggesting these folks will stop being A&T fans?

A few might . . . but given they've been leeches on the University property, I see that as no real loss.

Others might buy tickets.

Most will move their parties elsewhere and carry on.

Still don't see a downside for A&T.

areyouserious

September 2, 2011 - 2:34 pm EDT

Actually, i see what skinsfan is saying about it possibly backfiring. I dont know if you've ever been on campus at homecoming, (pretty sure you haven't lol) but the number of people around the stadium is amazing! And a headache... There haven't been seat numbers on the tickets for general admission. And homecoming does sell out. If you're familiar with last years superbowl you know that the fans who were sold tickets to an already sold out stadium sued Jerry Jones and the NFL for over selling the stadium. Highly doubt that would happen here, although i know disappointedaggie would love to take that case! Unless they are moving the ticket box to the edge of the fence I dont see how they could enforce something like this. This might cause alot of Aggies to stay away. I guess we'll soon. And if you've never seen it, its an experience you will never forget!

September 2, 2011 - 3:36 pm EDT

Areyouserious,

That is one my points exactly! The other point is, although the tailgate "game ticket" will be general admission ticket, is the fact that you have a ticket and that ticket entitles the purchaser to a seat in the stadium or event. Football stadiums are no different than say a restaurant, night club, etc when it exceeds its occupancy rate, and is subject to a fine or closure by the fire marshal. Again, anyone that has ever attended an A&T homecoming, and has ever ventured into the stadium to attempt to view the game knows fully well that the occupancy has been regularly exceeded. The reserved seating tickets are numbered. If a person hasn't ever experienced an A&T tailgate it is beyond description! I have seen this first hand many, many times.

By the way, I am not an attorney; however I did speak with the fire marshal and verified this information before posting my original comment.

Panacea,

If you would like to go experience the sights, sounds, and the sheer mass of humanity that is A&T homecoming, I will gladly purchase a tailgate / game ticket for you. ;-)

September 2, 2011 - 4:30 pm EDT

Skinsfan, sorry wasn't trying bag on you. "disappointedaggie" is another poster who is sincerely disappointed with A&T to say the least. LOL And he's a lawyer i believe.

September 2, 2011 - 4:33 pm EDT

Oh, no problem at all. I love a lively debate.

football

September 2, 2011 - 11:44 am EDT

there is a vendor area setup at the baseball field for anyone wishing to sell goods. there is no selling in the tailgate areas, only in the stadium and vendor areas. besides, with all the free food in the tailgate areas, it would be a waste to try to sell food there when people that knows somebody, knows somebody that knows somebody who they can get a plate from.

TOTHE POINT

September 2, 2011 - 1:15 pm EDT

I think the new policy is a great idea. The previous AD some time ago (Scrandett) attempted to undertake the same steps to raise more revenue. If you look around the country the majority of your schools with similar venues have been using this type of access fee for years. For many years Aggies and non-Aggies have sold their personal goods in the stadium area or just came to hang out and not give back to the athletic program. This is a good move and will payoff in the long run. Aggies will attend those game no-matter how well the team is doing. I will bet those people who are complaining probably have never purchased a ticket ever!!! Everyone wants something for free and that same person will go down to UNC and purchase a football tickets at their prices and not say a word!!!!!

September 2, 2011 - 2:23 pm EDT

Yeah well thats partially b/c when you go to a sporting event at UNC. You are paying to watch the actual football game. At HBCUs its just as much about the fellowship and the band as it is about the game. I'm not sure where the tailgating area is, im assumming they mean the area inside the gate to the stadium. Which is ok. But if they are including the area where the old baseball park is, where vendors setup, then that could mean a decrease in traffic. To the detriment of the vendors and the university, as vendors pay a fee in order to sell. If they know it won't be as much traffic they probably wont be buying permits.

September 2, 2011 - 7:17 pm EDT

Good point "areyouserious" but I am sure they are talking about inside the parking and current tailgating area next to the stadium. I totally agree with your point on the social event at A&T versus actually watching the game.

September 2, 2011 - 11:20 pm EDT

I agree. Most of the folks that are complaining are the ones who aren't paying for tickets anyway. They aren't paying for the entertainment, and they aren't even paying for the postgame clean-up.

South Carolina State had a lot of complainers when they implimented their Game Zone, too, but now they are seeing the financial benefit...especially at Homecoming. If you are not there to financially support the University and the Department of Athletics, then tailgate at Boyce Park or at home.

September 3, 2011 - 12:36 pm EDT

Right on "Claysmith" I could not agree with you more. Well said! Especially the part about the post-game cleanup.

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