April 19, 2005
For the first time since 1992-93, University of New Mexico students will be positioned on the floor for men’s basketball games starting with the 2005-06 season.
UNM students, along with the Lobo pep band, will move from sections 19, 20 and 21 on the west side of the arena to section 26, which is located at the north end. Season ticket holders who have been in section 26 will be moved to section 20, which is mid-court on the west side of The Pit.
“The decision to move the students was reached after productive discussions with members of the UNM Board of Regents, President (Louis) Caldera and leaders of student government, including current ASUNM president Kevin Stevenson, incoming president Brittany Jaeger and the ASUNM Senate,” said New Mexico athletics director Rudy Davalos. “While we considered various options for the students’ new seating location, section 26 was chosen because it impacts the fewest amount of fans from the standpoint of sightlines. We feel we were able to find the best solution; one that is amicable to all parties. The students return to the floor and the fans who were in section 26 now have very good seats at mid-court.”
Davalos said all season ticket holders in section 26 are being contacted by mail regarding their change in seating. The letter details specific dates and times – probably early May – when those fans can review their new seats in section 20.
“It’s imperative that we take care of the fans who have been sitting in section 26,” said Davalos. “Our staff will personally work with each season ticket account to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible. We wanted to offer the fans we’re moving the very best seats in exchange for any potential inconvenience.”
There were 183 season-ticket accounts – a total of 483 season tickets – in section 26 in 2004-05. There are 662 total seats in section 26. UNM sold 9,689 season tickets last year.
UNM students were moved off the floor with the construction and implementation of the Lobo Level seating prior to the 1993-94 season. The five rows of Lobo Level seating – four rows on the west side of the arena and one row on the east side – has generated more than $6.5 million since it started 12 years ago.