Sixty new seats in Moody Coliseum offer fans in-your-face action without in-your-face cheering. The recently installed inline floor seats not only provide fans with an up-close experience at basketball games, they increase school revenue.

The additional seats also are taking the space on the basketball court which cheerleaders have occupied in past years, forcing cheerleaders to relocate onto a platform in between the student sections.

The seats sell for $315 each season and will bring in $18,900 in revenue overall.

In addition to increasing revenue, the seats improve fan satisfaction. Senior Associate Athletic Director Woody Norris said they provide fans with a much-desired view of the game.

“We’ve had numerous requests for seat upgrades from people who love to be close to the action and want more seats on the floor,” Norris said. “We want to provide fans with the opportunity to get as close to the action as possible.”

Norris also said the extra seats will help bring in money.

“We’re coming up with creative ways to maximize revenue. This is incremental revenue at virtually no cost to us,” Norris said.

However, not everyone is happy with the additional seats. Cheerleaders say the new platform limits the stunts they are able to perform. In past years on the court, the cheerleaders were more effective in getting the students involved.

“None of the cheerleaders are really happy about it,” co-head cheerleader Andy Temple said. “[The platform] is safe to stand on, but it’s not safe to do stunts.”

Athletic Marketing and Promotions Director Shawn Heilbron disagrees. He claims the platform allows cheerleaders to better reach the students and rouse school spirit.

“[The cheerleaders] will be elevated so they will have a greater presence at the games and students will be able to hear them better,” Heilbron said.

Norris emphasizes the importance of compromise as he attempts to balance the financial aspect of college athletics and school spirit.

“My job is to try and fill up the arena for every game and to improve the atmosphere,” he said. “Adjustments [have to be made] from time to time and I’m trying to strike a balance between great traditional school spirit and bring in revenue.”

Norris and the athletic department are working to create events around basketball games to raise school spirit such as an upcoming festival on the Moody lawn and concerts after basketball games, which would be included in the ticket price.

Currently, offers are being made to a major country artist to play at an upcoming concert. The artist’s name will be revealed soon. The athletic department hopes these endeavors will increase attendance and drive enthusiasm at basketball games.