Ms. Huntoon,
        I had been meaning to make a post regarding the issue that is
currently being discussed and your letter has given me a perfect
opportunity.
        Last season, my Freshman year, I attended almost all of the home games
and was disappointed to discover that students were dispersed
throughout the arena.  Prior to attending UMaine, I had seen many
college games where students were placed together. These student
sections seemed to generate a certain intensity and excitement that, to
dismay, I didn't find in the Alfond.
        Nearly a month ago Coach Walsh came into my dining commons modeling a
new "Maine-iac" T-Shirt. Through a megaphone he announced that there
would be a designated student section this year and that he wanted the
crowds to be more rowdy and energetic.
        You said that Being obnoxious is not a prerequisite to sitting in a
student section.  This statement is true, but being a student should
be!   Saturday night I witnessed over a hundred students cheering in
unison for UMaine. One row in front of us sat an elderly couple and a
family with young children.  One side of the balcony, if not the entire
thing, should be reserved solely for students.  I feel badly for the
ticket holders that consider themselves unfortunate to have been placed
in the balcony, but our student section is generating desperately
needed student excitement and involvement.  I think we'll all be
happier if the students section is reserved for the students.
 
-Chris Bailey