Just to follow up on Clair's comments, which I mostly agree with.
 
What also must never be forgotten is Maine is a university.  There is a
duty to taxpayers, but also to the 11,000 students at the University of
Maine.  If you figure students get 1500 seats, that means about 14
percent of the student body has access to attend games.
 
I want to see the building as full as it can be, but I do not want this
to come at the expense of the students.  Too much has contributed to
the decline of student attendence to just cut the number of tickets,
even after 4 games.   It will probably happen, but I hope that the
administration gives deference to students and cuts only the bare
amount to be feasible.  Remember, more students will be wanting to come
out in February in the middle of a title run, than in October.  I'm
worried a decision will be made with too much haste.
 
Another point in this discussion here should be that in addition to the
fact that only 14 percent of the student body can access Maine hockey
games, but the fact that there are almost 4,000 seats promised out
already.  If we want more general public seats (and I think there
should be) let's cut into that too.  Let's not just advocate the cut of
student tickets, there are lots of donors and season ticket holders who
don't show up for their seats either.
 
-dt