Photo by Zack Mazur. Source, Washington State (University)
Magazine Winter 2013
Appears with article “Cougar encampments” by Hannelore
Sudermann
https://magazine.wsu.edu/2013/10/25/cougar-encampments
Coug Football Fans mad after RV passes sell out
WCU Cougar Athletic Fund/CAF runs out of spots in a week,
leaving many empty-handed
The Cougar Athletic Fund ran out of RV passes, which allow
fans to tailgate before football games, before many donors had a change to buy
one.
By RYAN BLAKE, Evergreen June 21, 2018
Many WSU fans expressed frustration on the Die Hard Cougs
Facebook page last week when the Cougar Athletic Fund announced parking passes
for RV’s and campers for football games this upcoming season had sold out.
The CAF sold out of RV parking passes June 11 after opening
their availability June 4. Those who missed out on passes were upset with the
new system the CAF put in place which gave preference to larger donors.
Ric Fernandez, a season ticket holder for seven years, said
this was the first year he and many other season ticket holders were
disgruntled after being unable to purchase RV passes.
“I will attend some games but most likely will not renew my
season tickets if something isn’t done to expand RV parking,” Fernandez said.
“Due to the amount of late afternoon and evening games, the option of driving
to and from a game is very hard for most people.”
Adam Ganders, assistant athletic director of the CAF, said
they were pleased with how the process went.
“We are really happy with how it went,” Ganders said. “We
wish we had more passes just like we always wish we had more passes.”
CAF split the dates in which passes were available to season
ticket holders based on a ranking system that factored in how much money they
donated.
The first 249 CAF members were eligible to purchase RV
passes June 4 and each day they became available to a certain amount of people
until they sold out June 11.
This made purchasing an RV pass possible for only the first
3500 CAF members.
The CAF switched to selling RV passes for a full season
after having them available on a per game basis in previous years.
Ganders said the decision was about rewarding their largest
donors for committing to WSU with the ease of purchasing a pass for a whole
season.
“We know that RV parking is part of Washington State
football culture,” Ganders said. “Unfortunately that’s the inventory we have
and we just try to make it as fair and as objective as possible.”
Ganders said they have seen an increase in donations from
people looking to increase their chances of getting RV passes. CAF scores for
RV pass priority went into effect May 1, a date Ganders said was made clear
well in advance.
The CAF separates their zoned RV parking into three donor
levels.
--Zone 1 costs $875 and requires an additional annual
donation of $1000. --Zone 2 costs $700 and requires an additional annual
donation of $750 and --Zone 3 costs $700 and requires an additional annual
donation of $700.
WSU has a capacity for 330 RVs and campers on home football
weekends.
Fernandez said he isn’t concerned about having to donate
more money but is worried about the supply of RV passes as the CAF continues to
grow.
“The CAF would do themselves a lot of good from a [public
relations] perspective if they would get out in front of this and let people
know they are working on solutions for this issue.”
………..
Cougars Implement Clear Bag Policy for Martin Stadium
The policy will help enhance the gameday environment and
safety at Martin Stadium.
From WSU Sports Info 6/21/2018
PULLMAN, Wash. – With the intent of providing a safer,
fan-friendlier environment, Washington State Athletics will implement a new
clear bag policy for fans entering Martin Stadium, beginning with the September
8, 2018 opener against San Jose State, Director of Athletics Patrick Chun
announced Wednesday.
"The addition of this policy is another effort to
enhance the gameday environment and provide the safest experience possible at
Martin Stadium," said Chun. "This is in line with best practices
throughout the country."
Under the new policy moving forward, fans will be permitted
to carry the following sizes and styles of bags into Martin Stadium:
• Bags that are
clear plastic, vinyl or PVC that do not exceed 14" x 8" x 14";
• Clear drawstring
bags that do not exceed 14" x 14"
• One-gallon clear
plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bag or similar);
• Small clutch
bags, with or without a handle strap, that do not exceed 4.5" x
6.5"(the approximate size of a hand);
• Exceptions will
be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection upon entrance.
Prohibited items no longer allowed in venues include, but
are not limited to, purses larger than a clutch bag, coolers, briefcases,
backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, luggage of any kind, computer/camera bags,
binocular cases or any bag larger than the permissible size.
Fans will still be allowed to bring in personal items such
as keys, cell phones, wallet, makeup, to name a few, in their pockets if they
choose not to use a clear bag. Additional items such as diapers, wipes and
other supplies for babies and small children, should be placed in an approved
clear bag.
The first 10,000 fans at Martin Stadium for the Cougars'
game against San Jose State, Sept. 8, will receive approved WSU clear bags
sponsored by BECU. Season ticket holders are guaranteed one bag per account.
More information will be available at a later date.
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