The power of persistence

I’m not sure this qualifies as much of a scoop, but it’s certainly a great story relayed to me by a reader who’s been battling with UGA for several months about the new seatback policy.  You remember what that is, right?

… the policy also includes new rules about what sort of seat cushion you can carry into the stadium. Unfortunately, information emanating from the athletic department had been a bit unclear on just what that means.

On the official website, the initial announcement said: “Seat cushions — without arms or pockets — will still be permitted into the venues.” And, in the downloadable PDF linked to on the official site, it said the banned attributes included “arm rests and any large traditional seat cushions that have pockets, zippers, compartments or covers.”

However, in the latest Bulldog Monthly fan email, it said seat cushions must be “without arms, backs, or pockets.

So, are seat cushions with backs no longer allowed?

I put that question this week to Matt Brachowski, associate athletic director for event management, who clarified: “Seats with backs are no longer permitted.”

Welp, that didn’t sit well (see what I did there?) with our intrepid reader, who at one point offered to get a note from her doctor about needing a seat with a back if that would allow her to qualify for a waiver under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Apparently sarcasm works, because in response she received this assurance from someone with the Georgia Bulldog Club:

I just got word that we have slightly changed our policy on fans bringing in their own seatbacks.  Fans can now bring their own seatbacks in as long as they do not exceed 16 inches wide.  It still cannot have arms or pockets, but it can have a back. 

Woo hoo!  Savor that, friends.  On the surface, it may not sound like a whole lot, but that’s the first real concession from the athletic department I’ve seen to a legitimate concern from a regular ol’ Georgia football fan attending games in some time.  Take your victories where you can get them, people.

Man, if only I could talk her into starting a letter-writing campaign on Sanford Stadium bathrooms and concessions.  And tailgating… and… ah, I can dream, can’t I?