A Touch of Garlie

Robert Watson, director of athletics, argued last week that football tickets could not be made available to Radcliffe students because of the importance of alumni attendance at games. Watson's sexual discrimination is completely unfounded, and his athletic priorities are perverted. If the athletic administration's first concern is funding, then here are some suggestions:

First, let's get rid of tickets for financial aid students. Their parents probably aren't contributing to the College Fund and most likely they won't contribute to the graduating class donation. Besides, financial aid students ought to be out working on a Saturday.

Second, let's get rid of free tickets for the academic types around here who disdain contact sports. Not only are these students not likely to go, but if they appear, they are not likely to be impressed by the results of a football game into giving more funds as alumni. A sports test should be administered during freshman orientation week. Those who score over 560 will be given tickets. Those scoring under 560 may take a seminar in Sports A and eventually qualify.

Third, let's go to the big offender--the band. Not only does the band offer shows that the alumni don't understand; those well-endowed alumni that do get the jokes are usually offended and respond with nasty letters. To top it all off, band alumni get into the Stadium free!!! Get that Bass Drum's seat!

Fourth, let's check the records of some of the departments here. How many Fine Arts majors gave funds last year as compared to Government or SocRel? How much does the Crimson gridiron really mean to Bio 138? Get those tickets.

As for those underclassmen who show definite pecuniary and athletic promise (can we change the CEEB?), why give them tickets? If these guys are serious and willing to give money, why not auction the tickets off? Float the value of the End Zone?

Of course, before this is all initiated, the athletic administration will need to do a study. Questionnaires could appear at this year's games. Were you moved by the game? Were you financially moved by the game? Would you have been more financially moved if you were an alumnus? Sex?

And what about Watson's seat at the game? Would he care less about Harvard if he had to watch the videotape replays every Sunday? There's a potential $54 there.

Seriously, if a decision is made to sell football tickets, tickets should be sold. Not half sold, or promised, or allocated, but sold. Harvard students are accustomed to paying for plays, and concerts, and courses. Why should football games be any different? If the athletic administration wants money, then sell all the tickets. BUT, if it gives first priority to Harvard students, it must give opportunity to ALL students.

Supposedly the great concern is money. If it is, the administration has a lot of soul-searching to do before it decides to eliminate student tickets. Take the treatment of reporters. The athletic administration could eliminate the free hot dogs, drinks, and programs provided to the press (and that would eliminate the over $60 per week paid to the winter athletes who distribute the halftime food. How about the cost of boarding the entire football team and staff at a Newton motel most Friday nights before a home game. One wonders about the commitment of the administration. There is a ruling that Harvard teams will bus to all sporting events except at Penn and Cornell, but the cross-country team flew to New York City last Friday.