Monday, UCLA officials revealed their plans to refurbish the storied Pauley Pavilion. There will be 1,000 more seats, a new floor, a high-definition video scoreboard and upgrades to every facility in the building. As for the aesthetic beauty of the outside? It's gonna be something, if it ends up anything close to the art they've produced.Aside from the hefty price tag, one thing many people in the area may find a bit troublesome, though, is the fallout when it comes to seating. Considering the massive fund-raising effort being done to foot the bill, long-time season tickets holders and students may be seated behind donors of the renovated arena.
The UCLA athletic department has decided to hold off on revealing the seating plan, so they can review everything within the next few weeks, though reports indicate they are looking for an equitable balance between long-time season ticket holders and new donors.
For the sake of the true, loyal fans of the Bruins, let's hope that balance actually is equitable. One thing I loathe, but still understand, is how the corporate makeup of the sports world pushes the truly fanatical spectators further away from the action. College basketball seems to be the last great hotbed to avoid the movement, for the most part, with places like Michigan State and Duke having hundreds -- or even thousands -- of students right on top of the action.
If UCLA's seating plan comes out and the majority of the closest section to the floor are handed to rich "Johnny-come-lately" donors, it will be a real shame.
