Moving Part of the Student Section to the North End Zone Should Help with Atmosphere

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indianapolis Star reported that Indiana Athletics have moved the over flow portion of the student section to the north side of the stadium to be closer to the band and DJ. This move should help create a louder atmosphere in Memorial Stadium this fall.

The Benefit

Moving the overflow section for students to the end zone solves two issues. It centralizes the student section into a bigger group. The overflow section was located on the opposite end of the east stands in 2023 and really does not add to the noise or atmosphere in Bloomington. Having the band surrounded by students will help energize the atmosphere and the ability to have a wall of sound created by the students really brings out the benefits of having a bowl shaped stadium.

This is coming from a member of the band, this is absolutely needed. The students are the high point of the crowd, they need to be in a section behind an end zone, not in a corner where their effect is minimalized greatly.

— Alexander Hicks (@AHicks415) June 1, 2024

The second thing this move accomplishes is that fills in the wings of the stadium and opens up better seats for the general public. While it is just my opinion, sitting in the end zone was never my favorite view. Sure, there are some benefits to sitting there for IU games like the ability to catch a field goal or extra point, the view is usually one of the worst in the stadium. Memorial Stadium does not have many truly awful seats, so those displaced should have a better view of the game.

Some Fans Irritated by Timing of the Announcement

In order to move the student section, some other fans needed to be relocated. We found out about the move when a follower shared an email from the athletic department telling them that their seats would be moved to accommodate the shift in the student section.

IU student section is moving? We're currently in section 14 and got this email tonight. @CrimsonCast @Hoosier_Huddle @crimsonquarry pic.twitter.com/F3Cx1OBS6J

— Brandon B. (@1stDownHOOSIERS) June 1, 2024

Understandably, the people who have had seats in the North End Zone for years were very upset. The timing of the announcement was ill-fated when it occured after season ticket holders selected their seats.

The report from the Star indicates that IU will try and offer more premium seating.

“Reseated fans will be placed in more coveted areas of the bowl, many of them with lower sightlines to the field. Some could move as close to midfield as the 30-yard line, and all will receive seatbacks placed on the stadium’s bleachers.”- Indianapolis Star

Hoosier fans will get their first look at the relocated student section when IU opens the season agaist FIU at Memorial Stadium on August 31st at 3:30pm.

Fans looking for tickets can use our SeatGeek referral code: HoosierHuddle for $20 off their first purchase as a new costumer.

We’d love to hear your thoughts, good or bad, in the comments section.