usual with the AthDept, their transparency is opaque. If someone at the HC/AthDept/VTTO told me "good morning," I'd pop the blinds to make sure it was true.
First, they "sprang" (is that a word) the new premium seating on us a couple of years ago, after admitting that they'd been working on it for almost a year. Then, this year they blocked off 1383 seats prior to the initiation of open selection (not including the student section) for the HC/AthDept, contractual obligations and ADA. Then they decided not to continue the HokieShare program to redistribute tickets for games ticket holders could not attend. While I have to concede that all the tickets may have been sold, they are still selling mini packages for games.
It takes me months and repeated attempts to get answers to questions (such as the number of seats blocked prior to initiation of selection this year). The concept of the Hokie Family is dysfunctional at best, dead at worst. I spoke to the guy I sit next to last night, and we finally agreed that the AthDept (and VT in general) has become "corporate." Cost of contributing and purchasing tickets has gone up, while service has gone down (i.e., HokieShare). I guess where you and I disagree, is that for me personally, it's not OK. I will not be treated like a mushroom. And, for me, when there is a lack of transparency, and an almost secretive reluctance to provide even the most basic of information, I begin to distrust.
And for those of you who tell me that if I don't like it, just quit giving (or give more), and/or don't buy tickets. I won't do that, and I won't accept some marketing person "spinning" a story in an attempt to handle me and others.
I blame empty seats on the way they handle seating and ticketing, and the corporate attitude of refusing to admit that fault. Sorry for such a ramble, but I will respond to anyone who laments empty seats. Talk to the HC/AthDept/VTTO who created this situation. I will call BS on corporate "double speak."