Four ideas to fill up the Zona Zoo at Arizona Stadium for 2017

As we approach the final game in this arduous 2016 Arizona Football campaign, it’s time to address the empty seats in the Zona Zoo section in Arizona Stadium.

Due to Arizona Football’s rash of injuries, sub-par performance, and endless late starts, there has been an overabundance of empty seats in Tucson. What is just as bad is the exodus which occurs on the east side throughout the games. As the quarters go by, the Zona Zoo thins out. It is not the first year this has occurred, which begs the question–has Arizona Athletics placated to the students too much?

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All schools want to sell out their stadiums, and it makes for great television when the cameras pan the crowd and get a glimpse of loud and vivacious students hamming it up for the audience. Several years ago, the athletic department cordoned off much of the lower level of the east side for the students and named it “Zona Zoo.” The fans who show up fit the bill–they are energetic, dressed in red, and love the cameras. Many students attend in the Zona Zoo but not enough stay.

Maybe the university has made it too cheap. Charging $175 for entry into EVERY Arizona athletic event is a steal. But more than that, it devalues each event. Has the Zona Zoo become a stop for drive-by fans, attending just long enough to make an appearance, catch some plays, and then head to their next Saturday night event?

Arizona Football had one day game this year, and it was a 12:30 PM start on a hot afternoon in the desert.  Here is what happened:

Yes, it was hot, and the Zona Zoo section faces the west sun. However, how many of these students came to Tucson for the warm weather and sun?

In past seasons, the Arizona Athletic department has offered prizes and gimmicks to a random Zona Zoo attendee who stays the entire game. It seems just the inexpensive ticket, and in previous years a winning team would have been reward enough. Meanwhile, the rest of the fans who matriculated decades ago and paid full price for a ticket were not part of the prize giveaway. Some Zona Zoo members still think they deserve more.