Football tickets - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jun 2, 2004

Football tickets

Date: Jun 2, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Magnolia
"A couple of days ago I got a recorded phone message at my campus number from Jeff Bower who said that the priority deadline for football season tickets has been extended to June 18th. Did anyone else get this message? I wonder if it only went out to faculty/staff who have not purchased their season tickets this year. Does anyone know if season ticket sales to faculty/staff are down this year?"

You better believe they are down. USM is in a world of hurt in this and many other areas re support from faculty and parts of the general public.

Date: Jun 2, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: elliott
"You better believe they are down. USM is in a world of hurt in this and many other areas re support from faculty and parts of the general public."

Perhaps the Athletic Department should have remained neutral this Spring in the conflict between the President and the faculty. I wouldn't be surprised if many faculty members gave up their season tickets.

Date: Jun 2, 2004

I have been told that Bower's contract is structured with a number of incentives, for example, he makes a certain amount if the team wins the conference championship, if they go to a bowl game, etc. He probably has an incentive in his contract tied to total season ticket sales.

Date: Jun 2, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Googler
"I have been told that Bower's contract is structured with a number of incentives.... He probably has an incentive in his contract tied to total season ticket sales."

I'm sorry to hear that may be the case. I have no quarrel with Bower--in fact, I think it would be a stupid move on SFT's part to get rid of him. He is well liked by many and respected.

I just don't think I can stomach going to games this fall and seeing SFT running around on the field at halftime.

Date: Jun 3, 2004

I will try to attend as many games as possible to support the team and Coach Bower. When I was a student we booed M.M. Roberts at the dedication of the stadium. We can do the same to Shelby if there are enough there. Hope we don't have to do that, hope he is gone by Fall.

Date: Jun 3, 2004

I too have no quarrel with Jeff Bower - he's a great guy who is a lot smarter than Shelby & Co. He knows what's going on, and he isn't blasting the faculty for not scampering over to buy season tickets where they can, on several Saturdays, watch Shelby Thames showboat over yet another entity of the campus that he doesn't know anything about. Yet, if I were on campus still, I too would not go to those games anymore, and I'd clearly make it be known it is because of Shelby Thames. Whether Jeff knows it or not, leaving USM would hurt the school far more than it would hurt him or his family. His wife Debbie is pretty mobile in her job and Stephanie will be a freshman at USM in the fall. I imagine a move for Jeff would equate to a raise in pay at more than one institution that would be happy to have him. Jeff Bower doesn't like to be played - and he isn't eager to continue to allow Shelby to play him.

Date: Jun 3, 2004

I hesitated getting my ticket order in because I didn't want to support what this administration is doing. However, all of the talk about Thames wanting to get rid of Bower made me reconsider, and I renewed my tickets last week. Do you think maybe the rumor about Bower is just a way to get faculty to buy tickets.

Date: Jun 5, 2004

I bought my tickets because this has been a family social tradition for generations. My granddaughters are avid Eagle ballgame fans. We no longer go to the big field, but like to quietly tailgate on campus. I still believe this is OUR campus, and I won't let SFT take it. I did, however, include a letter with my order (and a copy to the Eagle Club that the present administration is causing me to seriously consider my financial support. I also asked that SFT stay in his box and away from the field--he generally makes a fool of himself!!

Date: Jun 5, 2004

After some soul searching, I too trashed my season ticket purchase form. Not easy to do. I haven't missed a home game since 1979. Been to most of the away games in Memphis, N.O., Alabama, etc.

I wish I had thought to mail it back with an explanation. I know that a number of former members of the alumni association have declined to renew and have returned their application forms with notations to the effect that they will renew when a new president is selected. I question how effective this is. In a sense, I fear we are all playing into the hands of those who -- consciously or otherwise -- would like to see USM return to step-status. On the other hand, there is little else I can do to express my frustration with the takeover.