Back where we belong

IU Athletics is finally starting to repair some of the damage done by former athletics director Michael McNeely. Next season, the student section and the band will be back in the stands and out of the bleachers while student ticket prices remain the same as last season. \nDespite years of a losing football team, IU students, alumni and the general public have supported the Hoosiers, even after the departure of star quarterback Antwaan Randle-El. But McNeely's decision to move students and the band felt more like a punishment than a reward for years of loyalty. That, and the band was none too pleased with having to both play music and dodgeball behind the kickers' uprights.\nMcNeely's plan was to increase availability in the better seats for when IU had a winning football team with the ability to sell out games, but perhaps he should have concentrated first on constructing a winning football team. IU finished last season with a 3-9 record, begging the question: Why should anyone go in the first place? And many students did show their displeasure with last season's adjustments by simply not going to the games.\nThe restructuring will create a better atmosphere among the students, one more conducive to actually enjoying the game and rooting the team on. Students will have a better view of the game and will be able to better interact with the band.\nKeeping student ticket prices the same next season is also proof that the athletics department is trying to welcome students back to the games. While prices are still a little high for generally mediocre games, the cost is bearable, especially for those students who live for the football season. Also, the lower the price, the more likely that freshmen will purchase tickets on a whim during registration.\nGeneral admission prices are going up, but we may trust that the athletics department is making this decision in sound mind. The alumni and public in general hold much more economic sway over University decisions than students; their protest can come in the form of dollars if they feel this is unfair.\nThe athletics department has taken giant leaps towards redeeming itself after the McNeely disaster. The fans will continue to attend as long as the sports continue to cater to the students and find more constructive ways of increasing revenue, such as developing a winning team. The formula is simple -- bowl game equals ticket sales. \n-- Jason Gaddis for the Editorial Board