I want to start this thread as a way for everyone with season tickets to discuss what they are hearing from their account rep or any other informed source. I currently have 2 seats in West section 7 row 50 and 2 seats in the same section on row 1. Our membership goes back to over 54 years. The current renovations appear to be bringing that to an end. According to my account rep the renovations will begin at the end of the 2026 season. These renovations are going to displace a lot of people in the West with new suites and create a new West bowl area with the seats that aren't removed. These plans are still changing and the actual number of seats that are removed are up in the air. We've always given half scholarship donations since the 70's and never changed. My options going forward are to purchase the same seats I've purchased the last 54+ years for the 2026 season and hope to be able to purchase them again in 2027. Those ticket prices I imagine will be much more than I pay now. Chances are slim to none with my giving level and the fact that every person who physically lost a seat will have priority over me if they give more. In this case I am left with whatever 4 seats are available after that. Probably in the South or East. Option 2 is to go ahead and purchase seats in the South or East in 2026 that way they are my seats when everyone is forced to select again in 2027. I will never sit in the East and will consider South if I can sit all 4 together. Option 3 is to up my giving level to Silver Spur and hope to be able to secure the same seats during realignment. That is my current understanding of the situation as of today. I will probably select Option 4 which is to discontinue purchasing tickets, which costs around $4,000 a year, and purchase individual seats each year as I see fit. Probably in the South or East. I imagine 4 tickets for a decent game will cost $800. So if I attend around 2 games each year I am saving $2,400 and a lot of frustration and heart ache. What is everyone else hearing?
Stadium renovations
- Thread starter JohnnySolo
- Start date
They are saying pay more or go sit somewhere else.
Edit- Pay $4,000 more for your membership to have an opportunity to pay another $4,000 more for your tickets.
Edit- Pay $4,000 more for your membership to have an opportunity to pay another $4,000 more for your tickets.
You being someone who gets four full season tickets and are able to do so at the Half Scholarship level because you’re grandfathered in as a result of the period of time that you’ve been a Gamecock Club contributor, I can tell you from personal experience that they don’t give a rats a** about you or any inconvenience you may experience. I was once a contributor at only the Century Club level. But because I joined the Gamecock Club and started purchasing season tickets back in the early 80s, I had four full season tickets (on the east side for many years, but eventually in the west - upper deck, but on about the 40 yard line). When I finally gave them up for a myriad of reasons 6-7 years ago, they were then able to make them available to someone with a much higher GCC giving level than I was paying. Unfortunately, It’s all about the $$$. Long-term dedication to the program is secondary.
Yeah I know. I just wonder who in the world has the money they are anticipating to be a part of what is going on right now? I would have considered it in 2010-2013, but certainly not now. I just hate it for my kids. This is just another thing in my life that my parents have provided for me that "the market" has priced me out of.
So, you're saying the new stadium project will not "enhance your gameday experience" one iota?
The new renovations will reduce capacity correct? That means they gotta squeeze more from who they have now and make more from less with the new suites. That’s a lot to ask from fans for crap football.
That's exactly the business model. Athletic departments are realizing they would rather find 20 people who are willing to pay $1000 each to attend the game in luxury than 1000 fans who would pay $10 each to sit on the bleachers.
We all buy into the AD's propaganda because we're told the department has to make more money if it is to be competitive. Assuming that's true (a big assumption), it means the tradeoff for putting a winning team on the field is that some of us will no longer be able to see said team play in person. Somebody's got to give one up for the team.
I really thought there would be more conversation here regarding ticket holders. Is no one else effected by this or does no one on this board buy tickets?
I’m a tix holder just like you. 36 years. I’m at the Garnet Spur level. I have 8 seats in Sect 4. I have not had much conversation with my acct rep. Only that he will be in touch sometime this spring to discuss options. I, like you, feel like I’m being squeezed out. I know I’ll lose my seats due to the renovations. You are correct that those that are being displaced because of the renovation will have to relocate somewhere. My understanding is it’s where you fall in the points standings and what your current giving level is. For instance, those that give at a higher level than I will get first choice of seats. Once they get to Garnet Spur, I will be in line based on my place in the points standings.
Johnny its all a combination of actuary/money. We’re “pawns in the game of life.”
Gone thru west club when struts put in & traditions club improvements.
Whatever happens it not as bad as you think. Keep your giving level same. Or leave less funds to the grandkids.
Btw, was invited to your sec by Scott family ‘83. What a game vs the west coast usc.
Gone thru west club when struts put in & traditions club improvements.
Whatever happens it not as bad as you think. Keep your giving level same. Or leave less funds to the grandkids.
Btw, was invited to your sec by Scott family ‘83. What a game vs the west coast usc.
I don't know the plan, but based on what you are saying, it sounds like every season ticket holder will end up getting relocated. You and Johnny will be relocated to seats that are somewhat worse than what you have now . . . which will displace somebody else who will be relocated to seats somewhat worse than what they had and so on.
Not a knock on those who are season ticket holders. I know it's a fun and enjoyable thing.
But why would you continue to give money to someone who clearly doesn't give a rip about you after decades of donations? College sports, especially, plays on the loyalty and emotional connection. That loyalty and emotional connection only goes one way, though. When it comes down to it, for them, you're a nameless, faceless number. If they want to make a change that's no beneficial to you, there's no compensation of any kind for your inconvenience. Just a "take it or leave it". If you choose to leave it, they'll just move onto the next nameless, faceless number. It's only salt in the wound that they are displacing and mistreating true, loyal fans in favor of socialites who will sit in their suite and may not even be able to tell you who won the game when it's over.
I've known some fans at other schools in similar situations who were displaced from their seats. They were pi**ed, irate and everything else. But, when it came down to it, they said basically "Yeah, it sucks. I'm ticked. But I'd never stop donating." Even for those who were grads of the school, I didn't get the loyalty. Because, again, it only goes one way. A school only lets you go there b/c you pay them money. Then, after you pay them potentially over $100,000 (potentially much more) for 4 years of college, when you graduate, they begin tug on the heart strings for you to donate as an alumnus, as if they've ever given you anything.
JMHO, but I don't get it.
But why would you continue to give money to someone who clearly doesn't give a rip about you after decades of donations? College sports, especially, plays on the loyalty and emotional connection. That loyalty and emotional connection only goes one way, though. When it comes down to it, for them, you're a nameless, faceless number. If they want to make a change that's no beneficial to you, there's no compensation of any kind for your inconvenience. Just a "take it or leave it". If you choose to leave it, they'll just move onto the next nameless, faceless number. It's only salt in the wound that they are displacing and mistreating true, loyal fans in favor of socialites who will sit in their suite and may not even be able to tell you who won the game when it's over.
I've known some fans at other schools in similar situations who were displaced from their seats. They were pi**ed, irate and everything else. But, when it came down to it, they said basically "Yeah, it sucks. I'm ticked. But I'd never stop donating." Even for those who were grads of the school, I didn't get the loyalty. Because, again, it only goes one way. A school only lets you go there b/c you pay them money. Then, after you pay them potentially over $100,000 (potentially much more) for 4 years of college, when you graduate, they begin tug on the heart strings for you to donate as an alumnus, as if they've ever given you anything.
JMHO, but I don't get it.
Loyalty is actually punished. The ticket buyers/donors who have been around the longest are the ones they want to get rid of the most so they can make room for newer, larger donors.
My father took me to my first game when I was 6 or 7. Can't remember. It was the 82 or 83. Those days were for my father and me. It is sentimental. I hold on to those things for that reason. I've always known it is a bad investment on my part and I am not special to the University. I did however have some great times in late 80's with Mike Hold, Sterling Sharpe, Harold Green, Joe Morrison; 1990's weren't that great but had Duce and Tanneyhill. Tore down the goal post in 2000. Kimrey's fade, Derrick Watson, Brewer. 2010 - 2013. I'm glad I was able to see those things.
Once again it is sentimental. I always wanted to pass those memories and opportunities to my kids, but money and greed will drive me away. I'm not sure what I am willing to accept in the next years, but it could very well end. We are all different people and some of us hold those memories close to our heart. The purpose of this thread was to see if anyone else is in the same situation with tickets heard something different than me or have thought of other ways around this mess.
Regardless I suggest all ticket holders to contact your account rep for information. My rep is a Clemson alum.
Once again it is sentimental. I always wanted to pass those memories and opportunities to my kids, but money and greed will drive me away. I'm not sure what I am willing to accept in the next years, but it could very well end. We are all different people and some of us hold those memories close to our heart. The purpose of this thread was to see if anyone else is in the same situation with tickets heard something different than me or have thought of other ways around this mess.
Regardless I suggest all ticket holders to contact your account rep for information. My rep is a Clemson alum.
Certainly understand the sentimental aspect related to your father. Makes total sense.
Just speaking more to those who feel a die hard loyalty to the school itself.
If that is business model, then they should have enough money to fire incompetent coaches and hire competent coaches. I'm sure there are individuals who would pay $$$ to watch a good college team. The corporations who buy the suites don't care if SC wins or not because they (and their patrons) get to see OU, Bama, UGA, Vandy and other competent teams.
When I gave up my tickets after 35 years, you would’ve thought that someone would have possibly reached out to me to inquire why I was doing so after so many years. Not a chance! I was only at the Century Club level. They were now able to redistribute my tickets to someone who had to be at at least the full scholarship level in order to be eligible for them. Like I said previously, it’s all about the $$$!