As reported earlier, the University of Oregon athletic department is proposing a rule change that would ban larger seat cushions from Autzen Stadium.
If the rule is passed, any cushion with dimensions larger than 10 inches deep, 17 inches wide and with a seat back higher than 19 inches will not be allowed. If a fan tries to enter Autzen Stadium with a seat cushion, under the rule they will have to put their cushion in a designated box sized to the specified dimensions. If it exceeds the size of the box, they will not be allowed to bring it in.
“The proposed change in seat cushions at Autzen Stadium is a direct result of fan feedback,” Senior Associate Athletic Director Craig Pintens said. “When a fan brings in an oversized seat cushion, it infringes on the seating ability of those around him or her. We want to continue to enhance the fan experience by allowing fans to use seat cushions that fit within their measured seating area.”
Due to the way seating is ambiguously marked in Autzen Stadium — primarily bleacher-style with a painted number on the front but no marking to show where one seat ends and the other begins — the UO athletic department felt that some people were taking advantage and bringing cushions that were larger than their designated seat, forcing their neighbors to have their space encroached upon.
Dan Luchs, a UO alum and long-time season ticket holder, agrees that the way the seats are set up now is a bit confusing and that some fans take advantage of the undefined seat marking.
“Those strap-sided cushions so people can lean back, those are really annoying because if they’re sitting in front of you with their back between your legs, they think they can recline,” Luchs said. “They don’t understand that that space is taken.”
Despite the frustrations Luchs has endured, he doesn’t feel like the seat cushion rule is the answer because, without markings of the boundaries of each seat, there could still be confusion.
“I think even lines painted on could help,” he said.
Previously, the Duck Store sold seat cushions to fans, but under the proposed rule, the product in stock is too large to bring in the stadium. The Duck Store issued cushions are 13 inches deep, exceeding the depth limit by a full three inches.
If the rule passes, many Duck fans will find their cushions illegal on game day. Doug Barber is one such fan, and a season-ticket holder at that.
I have two stadium seats that I’ve used at Autzen,” said Barber. “One is 12 inches deep, 16 wide and 18 high. The other is 13.5 inches deep, 16 3/4 wide, and 16 high. I appreciate what the athletic department is trying to do but it seems that the proposed rule could use some tweaking.”
Under the proposed rule, both seats are too deep. He claims the proposed requirements are too strict.
“They might want to measure their own seats to see what is realistic,” he said.
Barber might have a point. The benches at Autzen are 11 3/4 inches tall, which can easily house both of Barber’s cushions.
While many fans feel that some regulation is warranted, the stingy specifications released by the university might be a bit overboard.