[teejers1]

The problem in my section is pretty simple--the aging of the hardcore WBB fans.  There are always 4-5 people who show up in my row every game, and the rest show up sporadically.  When they do, they are very, very old and even have issues getting up and down the steps.  These are people who were hardcore fans in the 1990s in the aftermath of the first two championships and the Title IX changes.  Sometimes their children or grandchildren use the tickets--but not often.  But even though their physical abilities have become limited, they remain hardcore fans in their hearts and do not want to relinquish their tickets.  They intend to come more often but oftentimes health issues or transportation issues get in the way.

Two things have made it even harder for them to attend.  The ticket ushers are now often blocking direct access to the lower level on my side through the two ends--the short staircases that came in through the corners of the court by sections 9 and 13.  This forces entry by walking up the steps to the mezzanine and then down the whole flight of rickety steps through the seating at the ends to descend to floor of the court, then around the corner of the court to reach lower level sections 9-10-11 etc.  Instead of one short flight of stairs descending from the NE side, this become an ordeal for some.  Second--and you may laugh--going to all electronic tickets is a major challenge for many seniors, who tend not to be cellphone whizzes.  In short, Maples is not really set up for old people, and for WBB the fan base is old (counting myself among them.)  True fans will brave these hurdles no matter how old, but aging also makes driving harder, people lose their partners and can't find someone else to attend with them, etc. 

In short, the empty seats will remain until the fan base becomes younger.  Of course, the alternative (for now) could be worse--unsold empty seats as opposed to sold empty seats.

81Alum, you nailed it.  A lot of folks in the section I sit in have the ingress/egress difficulties you highlight.  It's tough.  God bless them.
(And btw, I'm old, too - but I try to bring at least one kid to lower the average age of attendees).

[teejers1]

The problem in my section is pretty simple--the aging of the hardcore WBB fans.  There are always 4-5 people who show up in my row every game, and the rest show up sporadically.  When they do, they are very, very old and even have issues getting up and down the steps.  These are people who were hardcore fans in the 1990s in the aftermath of the first two championships and the Title IX changes.  Sometimes their children or grandchildren use the tickets--but not often.  But even though their physical abilities have become limited, they remain hardcore fans in their hearts and do not want to relinquish their tickets.  They intend to come more often but oftentimes health issues or transportation issues get in the way.

Two things have made it even harder for them to attend.  The ticket ushers are now often blocking direct access to the lower level on my side through the two ends--the short staircases that came in through the corners of the court by sections 9 and 13.  This forces entry by walking up the steps to the mezzanine and then down the whole flight of rickety steps through the seating at the ends to descend to floor of the court, then around the corner of the court to reach lower level sections 9-10-11 etc.  Instead of one short flight of stairs descending from the NE side, this become an ordeal for some.  Second--and you may laugh--going to all electronic tickets is a major challenge for many seniors, who tend not to be cellphone whizzes.  In short, Maples is not really set up for old people, and for WBB the fan base is old (counting myself among them.)  True fans will brave these hurdles no matter how old, but aging also makes driving harder, people lose their partners and can't find someone else to attend with them, etc. 

In short, the empty seats will remain until the fan base becomes younger.  Of course, the alternative (for now) could be worse--unsold empty seats as opposed to sold empty seats.

81Alum, you nailed it.  A lot of folks in the section I sit in have the ingress/egress difficulties you highlight.  It's tough.  God bless them.
(And btw, I'm old, too - but I try to bring at least one kid to lower the average age of attendees).