Utah State University reversed a controversial decision late last week and added 1,000 student tickets for Saturday’s rivalry football game against No. 12 Utah.
“We recognize the importance of student support for all of our USU athletic events,” the university said in an email Friday, as reported by The Salt Lake Tribune. “We are dedicated to ensuring that as many Aggies as possible can experience the thrill of game day.”
USU says the student ticket number was increased to 5,901 for Saturday’s game, and all of those tickets had been claimed. Utah won the game, 38-21.
Leaders of USU’s student section, known as the Hurd, voiced their frustrations after the school announced Sept. 6 that it had made 1,000 seats in the section available to the general public.
Related: Utah State Reallocates 1K Seats from Stadium's Student Sections
“To the students, keep doing what we do. The passion and energy of the Hurd is unmatched. The people in Cache Valley saw that this week,” Hurd president Dallin Wilson said. “And it was a good thing that was able to have some positive change. And we are appreciative to the athletic department for listening to us and hearing our voices.”
According to Tribune reporter Kevin Reynolds, Wilson specifically thanked USU athletic director Diana Sabau, who has drawn criticism from some fans for the firings of football coach Blake Anderson and three other athletic department employees.
Related: More Utah State University Athletic Department Personnel Terminated
“Diana is great. A few people see her as an outsider,” he said, as reported by the Tribune. “Change is hard for a lot of people. But she’s done things that overall are good for the department. Of course is it tough to not have that communication and that is super frustrating to the students. And I think the student section at Utah State is just different from the rest of the country. So I think she learned that for sure.”
Seating in sections 117-121 at Maverik Stadium will be for student general admission the rest of this season, according to the email. Ticketing for basketball games at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum will also remain unchanged, the email stated.
“I think it is a great compromise," Wilson said. "It will allow the students to take up that whole side and have that intimidating factor."
