Husker Football: Time To Shuffle The Nebraska Student Section

It’s a week until the 2014 Husker football season begins and tickets are still on the table waiting to be gobbled up. Not by average Joe Husker Fan, but ones presented to a significant group: the students.

For a good, long while I was in the camp that said the students weren’t doing themselves any favors by leaving early. Why reward that behavior with seats behind the opponents bench or each set of goalposts as some have suggested?

That’s a great question and the answer is because the section’s messed up in the first place and for a number of reasons.

Students get their own sliver of seats, well that’s great. They’re right next to the band, that’s swell. Only so many of them can make an impact on the game and the remainder can only chime in when the rest of the stadium is at a fever’s pitch.

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These are the people who are supposed to start getting the place rocking. They are the kindling to the fire, but are currently tossed in a pile of logs.

I’m not putting down the rest of the Sea of Red, but the students are the lifeblood of both the school and the football program. More importantly, they impact the futures of both.

When reviewing 25 new elements that’ll be spicing up Auburn’s football experience, I saw plenty that Nebraska could incorporate including the Young Alumni program.

"Young Alumni (0-3 years removed from Auburn University) can get a special discounted Tigers Unlimited membership of $130, along with their season ticket purchase, and sit in section 37 with their fellow young graduates. The program has sold out for 2014. – AuburnTigers.com"

The Tigers are looking at the big picture here. As I mentioned in my previous piece, this is where the foundation should be laid for future boosters. Those future boosters may have future boosters, too, yanno.

That seed can be planted even sooner. While so many students have excellent experiences at the University of Nebraska, the athletic department be wise to cater to them.

Everyone gets stronger WIFI and the new game day experience to be rolled out, but what do the students have that gives them the ability to say “No one else gets this but us”?

The Red Zone exists in The Vault. Call them whatever you want, The Bone Yard works, but put two sections behind each set of goalposts in North and South Stadium.

You know who can affect a game-winning kick? The rowdiest fans in the house. They could also supply a little extra adrenaline to help a goal line stand.