Opinion > September 13, 2007

By This column represents the views of the Old Gold & Black Editorial Board. |

The Sept. 8 football game has shown that BB&T Field was unprepared for this season’s crowds and that steps need to be taken to improve the game day experience.

We applaud the university’s decision to partner with BB&T in hopes of creating a more modern, inviting and accommodating stadium for the future.

But the present atmosphere at the stadium was sadly lacking during the Nebraska game, most notably in the water shortage.

Many fans were forced to pay normal drink prices for cups of warm tap water when supplies of ice and bottled water were depleted during the first half of the game. The stadium staff responded as quickly as possible, bringing in more bottled water for the second half, but many fans felt that they were being extorted as the sweltering heat forced them to accept high prices for water.

We believe that during these extremely hot days, water should be provided free of charge by paramedics. It’s a matter of public safety. Plenty of paramedics were on hand to treat the many cases of dehydration, but these episodes could have been avoided if tap water wasn’t $4 a glass.

We hope to enjoy a season of great football at BB&T Field, but the fans will require a little more consideration in the small things in order to pay attention to the big things at hand – our football team.