-Mary Reed
"We don't want students camping out. That is not something that is allowed on our campus."2/18/2014 -Tim Sabo, assisant athletic director for ticket operations in regards to UNC basketball student ticket distribution.
-Mary Reed
37 Comments
Paige Patterson
2/18/2014 01:18:52 am
Tim Sabo's quote is in response to the Duke UNC game line randomization that began at 1 p.m. In order to get the best seat possible in the arena, students take place in this line randomization. Everyone in the riser line and the regular phase 1 line receives a number, the number is chosen at random, and the person whose number is chosen goes to the front of the line, and everyone in front of that person must go to the back of the line. Only the first 400 people in the riser line after randomization will be allowed in the risers.
Jennifer Umstead
2/18/2014 02:53:09 am
I understand the dangers involved with camping out for basketball tickets, especially with weather like we experienced last week. However I believe the failure in games such as the Kentucky game shows that their is a lack of communication between those in charge and students, which needs to be worked on. I do believe communication was handled better for the original Duke game, when students would have likely gotten in without tickets thanks to the stand by line. Additionally, the outpouring of support by students, players, and staff about how great the atmosphere would have been shows that when renovations occur or a new court is built, a student atmosphere should be looked at before turning to private donors. Let UNC create a true home court advantage.
Carlos Tovar
2/18/2014 08:03:15 am
Let people camp, let them enjoy the experience it. If a student wants to be in line at a ridiculous early hour, so be it. I understand that not everyone has the opportunity to get extremely early to a game, because we are all entitled to this thing called a university life, but as a student if a certain game is very important to you and you want to experience it, go for it. Not everything in life is fair. I understand that could go two ways with not allowing students to camp for safety reasons, but other schools do it and it adds to true school spirit.
Ryan Stewart
2/18/2014 09:05:25 am
I believe that if a student wants to spend their time camping out and waiting for seats for the basketball game, then the University should let them and support them. Unless they can think of a better and more efficient way to hand out student tickets to the basketball games, there is no problem with letting those dedicated students camp outside just to ensure they get the best seats possible. In my opinion, if the student is camping out to get a space on the risers for the game, then they are the kind of fan that I want to see on TV and down there on the court. They will be beyond enthusiastic and excited for the team and for UNC as a University.
Whitney Kay
2/18/2014 11:28:47 am
I can understand why camping out for basketball tickets is a thing of concern, especially for safety, but I do feel like if students want to camp out then they should be able to do so for the Duke game. Seeing students camp out overnight for one basketball ticket to one game shows so much dedication and school spirit, and I believe that is what Carolina is all about, and is what we need to keep the sports programs motivated; we need to see the students excited to cheer on teams like basketball.
Katie Cauthen
2/18/2014 11:48:34 am
While I understand the concern for safety, I believe that students should have the opportunity to camp out for tickets if they so choose. If they are willing to camp out for hours, maybe even days, for tickets to a big game I believe the university should honor their dedication to UNC athletics. It would most definitely give UNC more of a home court advantage because students who were truly invested in the game would be the ones to camp out. And is that not what we want - an excited student section that motivates and encourages our sports teams, especially basketball.
Sofia Leiva
2/18/2014 09:08:52 pm
I understand that there are safety concerns with camping out, but I think that students should be able to camp out. Rules can be put in place to ensure that it will be safe, such as having a designated camping area, with limits to how many people can be there. Those who are willing to camp out, are showing that they are dedicated fans and how important the game is to them, and the university should be more open to that.
Kylee Wooten
2/18/2014 10:57:28 pm
While safety is obviously a priority, I believe that camping out for a ticket to a basketball game shows the dedication and passion for UNC's athletics. Basketball tickets are a prized possession that are difficult to come by, and in order to get the best seats, it is typically imperative to get there as early as possible. For those students willing to camp out, it is completely worth every second spent in line for the Dean Dome. We pride ourselves on our outstanding academia and equally impressive athletics, like basketball. This is the Carolina experience that students come here for. While safety should obviously be a top priority, we should also value the importance of a strong fan base. To me, it's kind of like taking out tackling in football; while it's safer, it also takes away from the integrity of the experience.
Summer Winkler
2/19/2014 08:27:07 am
I think camping out is part of the fun. First, not getting tickets in the lottery is frustrating. Secondly, camping out for tickets with a few friends just gives Tar Heels a chance to show how important school spirit is to them. People camp out to save money on Black Friday and line up for hours to get Saturday Night Live Tickets. It's all part of the experience.
Macy Maness
2/19/2014 08:45:55 am
Students should be able to camp out for games if that's what the want to do in order to get tickets. College is all about the experiences we have and the friends we make along the way and camping out is definitely an experience for the books. Thousands of students across the country camp out for athletics, and even Chickfila has the same type of event annually. I understand the concerns for saftey, but our school is centered around school spirit and why should they be limited to their options.
Caroline Dodd
2/23/2014 01:19:49 am
I believe camping out for games is an essential part of the college experience. It's a chance for the entire student community to really come together and show their school pride by waiting, no matter how long it takes, to see their team play. Also, I think it's a really fair process. The ones who are able to stick it out the longest are the most deserving of the best tickets.
Connor Elledge
2/23/2014 01:56:24 am
I agree with Mr. Sabo. UNC's ticket distribution eliminates the need for camping, so why do it? Where would students put their tents, sleeping bags, etc. before the game? Also, I don't think allowing camping would be as fair as the current distribution system. Some students would be able to camp, but other students may not due to class schedules, other responsibilities, etc.
Jasmine Neely
2/23/2014 05:19:05 am
I personally appreciate the lottery system here because at Duke students have to worry about losing their spot in line because of regular daily activities such as going to class. They have to make sure someone is in the tent at all times in order for them to keep their spot in line, and that is ridiculous. If people want to camp out and do not see a problem with it then that is fine for them, but I feel like it doesn't make sense when there are easier alternatives. It is cold outside, weather conditions vary, and many students have already paid rent to stay in their apartments or dorms and can't even sleep in their bed's because they are camping out. I just think people should not have to change their every day lifestyle to camp out for tickets. It shows a lot of school spirit, but not everyone is willing to sacrifice their health, money, and education just for a ticket to one game of the year, that is also televised.
Casey Di Nardo
2/23/2014 09:41:04 pm
I think students should be allowed to camp out for seats if they want to. I know that there are concerns about danger but camping out really does not cause that much of a problem. If students feel the urge to wait outside for long hours in order to have the best seats for big games then let them do it. There are only a select few games that camping out would arise in the first place. I think camping out demonstrates the extreme love for Carolina basketball and its dedicated fans. I personally would want the most dedicated fans sitting in the risers because I know they earned those seats.
Kathryn Rhyne
2/23/2014 10:53:54 pm
Students should be allowed to camp out for seats if they want to. It's part of the college experience. If students want to wait outside in the snow for a few hours, let them do it! It shows how much the students care and how much school spirit they have. Our system doesn't allow for a situation like Duke's to break out, so I think it's a healthy way to let students earn a better seat. The students who would take the time to camp out obviously care the most and that is who we want with the best seats. They will be the loudest and most enthusiastic and ultimately it's a great thing for UNC.
Sophia Lin
2/24/2014 06:04:29 am
Although there are concerns of safety involved in this situation, students should be able to camp out if they want. They know what they are getting themselves into ahead of time and as seen at multiple basketball games, students line up as early as possible to get the best seats. Those that wait the longest definitely want it a lot and have great school spirit for the school, meaning they would do their best in cheering on our team. UNC students are smart enough to make the right decision when it comes to camping out or not.
Paige Ladisic
2/24/2014 12:30:36 pm
I think this quote has grounds. Sure, camping out for tickets is part of the college experience, and yes, the current system has many, many, many faults. But on the other hand, should any athletic system, especially one at a university that is plagued by athletic versus academic scandals at the present time, be encouraging students to skip class, skip everything, to camp out for tickets? I say, probably not.
Annie Goessling
2/25/2014 02:02:35 am
I think that if people want to camp for a ticket they should be allowed but having an additional lottery is important. A student who camps out for a ticket must be a huge fan, and if they are willing to dedicate that much effort to the game they should be allowed into the Dome. This will create a better atmosphere for the players because the biggest fans will be watching the game. However, students who are heavily involved with on campus activities or sports may have a harder time camping out in a tent. This is because they may need more sleep at night, or may need a more stable environment for their body to stay healthy. It would not be fair for these students who dedicate so much time to the University to not have the option of signing up in a ticket lottery.
Meredith Shaw
2/25/2014 05:39:11 am
I think that if students want to camp out for tickets, then they should be allowed to camp out. I waited in line in the pouring rain for four hours in order to get tickets to the Kentucky game, and ended up empty-handed after the line was randomized (the randomization was to prevent students from camping out). When tickets are being handed out, like in the case of the Kentucky game, I think that the tickets should go to the students that care the most about attending the game. Why should someone who walked up to the Dean Dome twenty minutes before tickets were distributed be given a ticket over a student who was waited for hours in bad weather conditions? Furthermore, while waiting for tickets to the Kentucky game, I was ensured by someone in charge of the randomization that I would definitely get a ticket to the game. This information turned out to be a lie, considering I was not admitted to the game. If the athletic department is going to use randomization to avoid camping out, there needs to be more communication and planning put into the process. Otherwise, the outcome will surely lead to chaos and angry fans.
Marcus Paige
2/25/2014 08:08:12 am
As a player, I love seeing passionate fans in the risers and at the games. They provide us with a lot of momentum and energy and it makes the games really fun. I think if a student wants to camp out, then let them. I have heard so many people tell me that the system is flawed, so a way to reward those who are the most dedicated/wait the longest would be the most fair. College students are responsible and smart enough to make their own decisions in terms of time management, so if they value great seats in the Dean Dome over other things and want to camp, I am all for it.
Christopher Hickman
2/25/2014 08:10:58 am
This is simply not true. Until last year camping out occurred on a yearly basis as students tried to secure a super suite at Morrison Residence Hall. The university abruptly changed this policy in favor of a lottery system in response to "safety concerns".
Sabrina Karr
2/25/2014 10:39:48 am
Though I'm as big of a basketball fan as the next student, I respect the university's decision to distribute tickets through a lottery rather than encouraging students to camp out. Some Duke students spend weeks camping out for the UNC game. That's about two essays, two exams and who knows how many readings's worth of time. We're a university; our overarching purpose is to learn and teach and prepare for the professional world. Though basketball is extremely important (go heels), it is not everything, and encouraging students to sacrifice sleep, productivity level and engagement in courses would compromise the integrity of the university as an educational institution.
Alyssa Andress
2/25/2014 10:51:56 am
I can understand why Tim Sabo would not want students camping out when it comes to safety measures, but I think most students are adults that are responsible enough to handle a campout. And what comes with responsibility of being an adult is that the student can make his or her decision in what they value more at the moment: skipping class that day or two or getting the best seat.
Elisabeth McFarland
2/25/2014 01:23:34 pm
One of my favorite parts about this campus is the school spirit. I think students should be able to camp out for the Duke game. I know I would in a heartbeat. As a Chapel Hill native, I learned at an early age that Carolina basketball here is a way of life. Therefore, those students who are passionate about this school and Carolina basketball should be rewarded for it. It would also create for a better student section atmosphere if the most dedicated fans were present.
Samantha South
2/25/2014 02:31:29 pm
I think it's interesting that we don't let students camp out for games at Carolina. I understand where the safety concerns are that the school focuses on and that it also may not be the most efficient way to give out these tickets. But this is how the process works at many other schools and students have always loved it. It builds up the atmosphere for the game and gives college students a memory that will last forever. It would be a really fun experience to camp out for Duke tickets at Carolina. I'm sure the first year I would love it but then I think, just like with every other way tickets are distributed, we would get tired of it and want the ticket distributers to find a different way.
Christina Wall
2/25/2014 08:27:41 pm
There are two things wrong with this quote. While I believe in the importance of student safety and education, camping out for the UNC/Duke game is part of something greater. This is Carolina, and basketball here is more than just one athletic sport. It is THE athletic sport. I say if the students want to camp, grow bonds with other Carolina fanatics, and create some of the most unique memories and experiences that very few schools can replicate, they should be allowed. The tents do not necessarily bother anyone and the students would miss class at their discretion. Secondly, if Tim Sabo does not believe in students camping out, there needs to be some modifications to the ticket distribution process, as well as the line order for rises, phase 2, 3, 4, etc. The Dean Dome already seats too many alumni where the student should be, making it extremely difficult for any student to get a good seat and if camping out can help with this process it should be allowed. It's just the Carolina way.
Blake Lessard
2/25/2014 08:48:01 pm
I believe that there should be a time limit in which you can begin camping out before big games. Set a restriction for 24 hours before tip-off. The experience would be something special and would ensure that it will be a first-come, first-serve basis.
Kyle Valente
2/25/2014 08:54:57 pm
I don't agree with Mr. Sabo at all. I am a die-hard Tar Heel basketball fan and it makes me mad to see people who have not gone to a single game the entire year or can not even name the starting lineup and key bench players getting better seats than me to the Duke game. Our ticket office should set up a system that rewards it's most passionate and dedicated fans, not the opposite. It isn't very hard to do, Duke has perfected it, as much I hate to say that. Also, camping out is part of the experience and should be allowed for the big games, like Duke.
Mary Stewart Evans
3/2/2014 11:38:04 am
I think that students should absolutely be allowed to camp out for games. With access to tickets becoming extremely difficult to ascertain for underclassmen, I think that if they are willing to camp out and show their dedication to their team and university, they should be able to camp out for a couple of hours. Of course safety is an issue, but more likely than not, there will be strength in numbers in a situation like the snowday's Duke game fiasco.
djali
3/15/2014 12:00:29 am
very bed
Tianna Williams
4/8/2014 11:09:39 pm
I can see both sides of the argument here. I think that students should be able to camp out if they want and being that we are paying tuition to be here, it should be allowed. However, I think that camping out for just the risers or phase 1 could be a compromise because like said above, some students may not be able to camp out due to work or school, yet still have a burning passion for Carolina Basketball. The current lottery system works just fine in that instance
Cameron James
4/13/2014 10:59:46 pm
Personally, I believe it would make getting tickets more exciting and more enticing for students if they were allowed to wait outside the stadium really early. By doing so, it would show how much school pride our students have when the ESPN game day camera's roll in and show the students all gathered together sharing in the camaraderie of the event while camping out potentially days before the actual game. However, it is the job of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to protect it's students from any unnecessary danger. So, from a University perspective I can fully understand not allowing students to camp out before games, but being a student myself I would like nothing more than to have the opportunity to earn first row tickets and scream at some Duke players.
Elise Karsten
4/13/2014 11:48:34 pm
I don't think that students should be allowed to camp out for basketball games. Although I am a huge basketball fan, we are at this university to be students and camping out hinders our ability to perform at the highest level possible. The current lottery system gives everyone an equal chance to tickets, not just those students who are willing to camp out.
Morgan Sims
4/15/2014 12:34:11 am
I think that students should be allowed to camp out before basketball games if they want to. To me, the randomization of the riser line before the big games is inhibiting the true fans from being in the front. As a very avid Carolina basketball fan myself and a victim to this randomization, I do not think this is the most fair way to handle the situation. I understand that there might be a safety issue, but if we as students want to be that dedicated, then let us be! We already have a "wine and cheese" crowd and we need as many hardcore student fans closer to the court anyways. If one is willing to camp out and wait for better seats, then they should be able to. Maybe set a 24 time limit for when students are allowed to begin camping out in order to control the situation a little so that it will not get our of hand. Otherwise, let the students be intense in supporting our team.
Gray Dorsett
4/15/2014 04:26:28 am
Though student safety is always the number one concern and the reason for the randomization of the lines, this is an unjust way to determine who gets the best seats. I've stood in line in the rain for hours only to be turned away at the last hour because of some lottery. If a student is passionate enough to wait in line or camp out they deserve to get the best tickets. They get more out of the experience than someone who is not that into basketball and just got lucky.
Amber Younger
4/15/2014 07:25:25 am
I've never waited in the stand-by line for a basketball game, so personally appreciate the lottery system. But, that also means that when I do get a ticket, there are probably a lot of other students who want that ticket more than I do. Camping out seems to be the best available option to make sure that the students who want tickets most get them if that's the goal. My main concern is that there is clear communication with the students about whether or not the stand-by line will be randomized after they have determined which process is best for student safety.
Emma Berry
4/22/2014 03:26:15 pm
I believe that not camping out is what sets us apart from the Dookies over in Krzyzewskiville. I believe that while Duke turns the idea of success into a competition, UNC turns it into a sense of community. Every student that I've had the opportunity to meet, whether a sports fan or not, is a Tar Heel through and through. Furthermore, I've never felt a lack of energy, passion, or school spirit while in the Dean Dome. If students try hard enough they are almost always able to get a ticket to the game of their choosing in some way, and for those passionate enough to devote ample time to that endeavor they can attend other sporting events to gain Fever points. I think the current lottery ticket distribution that UNC has is both fair and efficient. It gives each and every one of the 16,000 Tar Heel fans on this campus the opportunity to attend games throughout the season without disturbing their studies, extracurricular activities, social life, or sleeping habits. When in doubt, I believe that Tar Heel Blue columnist Adam Lucas put it best, "Duke fans believe spending 196 hours in a tent indicates passion and devotion. Carolina fans believe 196 hours in a tent indicates a telling lack of other social engagements.” Leave a Reply. |