I am infuriated about my game day experience

#1

playljr

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#1
Last night at the game I was embarrassed. I was infuriated. I was sickened to see what has happened at the University of Tennessee but not because of how our team played or even the outcome of the game last night. Don't get me wrong I hated seeing what happened on the field and how we played but I am talking about what happened in Section II, Row 8, Seat 23. This was my seat that I paid for. This is where a friend and I stood up, cheered, and screamed for our Volunteers.

This is also were we, along with two other fans sitting next to us, were standing up and cheering for our Vols on Defense at the end of the first quarter on where Bama was driving and they scored a touchdown right at the beginning of the 2nd quarter. At this point we were told by a middle aged couple sitting a few rows behind us to sit down because they, I quote "had paid for their seats and they could not see." It was not the fans directly behind us. We responded to the couple and apologized but said that we were not doing anything wrong, we had also paid for our seats, and that we wanted to stand up and cheer for our team.

A few minutes later, two Ushers, who are representatives of the university, came down to us and told us, I quote "Sit down and shut up or we will throw you out." When we questioned the ushers about why we were asked to sit we were then cursed and told, I quote "If you do not sit your ass in the seat we will get the police and throw you A**holes out!"

We were not drunk, belligerent, or cursing. We were cheering for our Defense. After talking to the ushers for several minutes and at the urges of others around us, my friend and I reluctantly sat down but the two other fans sitting next to us were escorted out into the breezeway by the ushers where they were spoken to by police officers. About 15 minutes later they were allowed to return to their seats; however, we were instructed that we could not stand up unless something, as the ushers and police officer described, "good happened." Later we asked for the usher's names and they would not give them to us. Their name tags had been turned around to where we could not see their names.

I am writing this thread because this is ridiculous. This is a blatant violation of our right to enjoy the game. No where on the ticket does it say that we must sit down in our seat during the game or that we may not stand up for the entire game if we wanted to. I am infuriated that ushers, as university representatives, would treat us with such disrespect by cursing us and threatening us for only supporting and cheering for the Vols. We all pay for the ticket to get into Neyland and for the ushers to tell me that I am going to be thrown out of the game because I am standing is offensive to me as a passionate fan.

If anyone who reads this thread works for the University of Tennessee Athletic Dept. you will be receiving a formal complaint from me about this situation. To all others who read this thread, I know this is long but it needs to be said. Whether you want to stand or sit, do not impede upon the right of other fans to stand or sit if they want to.
 
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#4
#4
At least you didn't blame it on us old white haired farts this time.
 
#5
#5
Ya, it's gotten just stupid the last 2 years. I could tell you stories much like yours.
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#8
#8
They would have had to kick me out. And I would have video taped the whole exchange on my cell phone.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#10
#10
That is ridiculous. And I'm sorry that had to happen.
 
#14
#14
Last night at the game I was embarrassed. I was infuriated. I was sickened to see what has happened at the University of Tennessee but not because of how our team played or even the outcome of the game last night. Don't get me wrong I hated seeing what happened on the field and how we played but I am talking about what happened in Section II, Row 8, Seat 23. This was my seat that I paid for. This is where a friend and I stood up, cheered, and screamed for our Volunteers.

This is also were we, along with two other fans sitting next to us, were standing up and cheering for our Vols on Defense at the end of the first quarter on where Bama was driving and they scored a touchdown right at the beginning of the 2nd quarter. At this point we were told by a middle aged couple sitting a few rows behind us to sit down because they, I quote "had paid for their seats and they could not see." It was not the fans directly behind us. We responded to the couple and apologized but said that we were not doing anything wrong, we had also paid for our seats, and that we wanted to stand up and cheer for our team.

A few minutes later, two Ushers, who are representatives of the university, came down to us and told us, I quote "Sit down and shut up or we will throw you out." When we questioned the ushers about why we were asked to sit we were then cursed and told, I quote "If you do not sit your ass in the seat we will get the police and throw you A**holes out!"

We were not drunk, belligerent, or cursing. We were cheering for our Defense. After talking to the ushers for several minutes and at the urges of others around us, my friend and I reluctantly sat down but the two other fans sitting next to us were escorted out into the breezeway by the ushers where they were spoken to by police officers. About 15 minutes later they were allowed to return to their seats; however, we were instructed that we could not stand up unless something, as the ushers and police officer described, "good happened." Later we asked for the usher's names and they would not give them to us. Their name tags had been turned around to where we could not see their names.

I am writing this thread because this is ridiculous. This is a blatant violation of our right to enjoy the game. No where on the ticket does it say that we must sit down in our seat during the game or that we may not stand up for the entire game if we wanted to. I am infuriated that ushers, as university representatives, would treat us with such disrespect by cursing us and threatening us for only supporting and cheering for the Vols. We all pay for the ticket to get into Neyland and for the ushers to tell me that I am going to be thrown out of the game because I am standing is offensive to me as a passionate fan.

If anyone who reads this thread works for the University of Tennessee Athletic Dept. you will be receiving a formal complaint from me about this situation. To all others who read this thread, I know this is long but it needs to be said. Whether you want to stand or sit, do not impede upon the right of other fans to stand or sit if they want to.
What about the disrespect you showed the middle aged couple that wanted to sit down to where they could rest and watch the game? See, it works both ways.:eek:k:
 
#15
#15
Also send a letter to the paper. I say go to the next home game and see if the ushers are in the same section. You might be able to get the names. I would have been kicked out, and probably arrested for that matter. Move to my section in xx1. You can stand and yell all you want.
 
#16
#16
I do and I did. It still does not give someone the right to take my ability to stand and cheer if I want to.

I agree with you.

Some people see it as a dick move to be standing up in an entire section of people sitting down on like 1st down on defense, you know?
 
#18
#18
What about the disrespect you showed the middle aged couple that wanted to sit down to where they could rest and watch the game? See, it works both ways.:eek:k:

A football game against a top 10 team is not a place to "sit and rest to watch the game."
 
#19
#19
They would have had to kick me out. And I would have video taped the whole exchange on my cell phone.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

This^^^

The video would then be posted on youtube and sent to all the local news networks. If that happened to me, I would absolutely raise hell over it. I've always heard the phrase "pick your battles wisely". Well this, my fellow volnationer, is a battle worth fighting....
 
#22
#22
Well sir....you have to look at this from both sides. You and a few others decided to stand....the majority decided to sit. You gave no quarter....so you were asked to sit and think about standing when "good stuff" happened.

Seems like a resonable request....makes the game an enjoyable event for you and the "middle aged" folks who are fans... like you.

Calm down and think about the situation from those sitting behind you....can you see merit to anything they said to you?

The ushers spoke to you most likely in a manner that is not acceptable....but I will bet, they got your attention, as it seems like you wanted to call the shots last night in section II, row 8, seat 23.
 
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#23
#23
What about the disrespect you showed the middle aged couple that wanted to sit down to where they could rest and watch the game? See, it works both ways.:eek:k:

You are right it does work both ways and if it had been the fans directly behind us I would not be writing this thread. The fans I am referring to were a few rows behind and if the fans directly behind us could see, I am sure that the fans a few rows behind them could also see. I also am not saying that it is their fault that they wanted to sit. That is their choice just like it is my choice to stand. This thread is directly aimed at the University and the ushers for the disrespect that they showed me for wanting to stand.
 

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