Dear Dr. Gross -- One Last Time

Dear Dr. Gross,

I knew this day would come, especially once Doug Marrone turned the football program around. I knew you would renew your efforts to change my seats from “B” to “A”, notwithstanding the fact that they have always been “B”, ever since my dad first signed up for season tickets when the Dome was first open. And I knew that there would come a day when you raised the cost of those seats to a level I was simply unwilling to pay. And that day has come. I am not renewing, even though my dad and I have been in these same seats for over thirty years, even though I’ve been a Syracuse sports fan for longer than you could possibly recall. I’m done, and you can sell the seats to someone else.

I was going to write a long letter, but then I reread the letter I had written in the spring of 2009, when you first jacked me from “B” to “A”. That letter says enough, so I’m enclosing another copy for you to reread, even though I know you don’t intend to read either of these missives. I’m writing not because I expect you to do anything; I just feel better getting all this off my chest. It’s cathartic.

I have only a couple things to add to my previous thoughts. First, the inoffensive way to accomplish your goal would be to grandfather existing ticket holders until they surrender their seats. When I give them up of my own accord, then you can change to “A”, without offending anyone. But to punish me after loyally supporting the University for so many years seems indefensible. Second, since we last went through this in 2009, you have raised the cost of my seats by another 30%, even aside from the change from “B” to “A”. Other than health insurance, what else has gone up 30% in the past two years?

Third, and most importantly, I have learned something from this whole experience, and after all, the University is an educational institution, so it’s appropriate that I do learn, even at my advanced age. I have a football signed by the 1959 championship team. My dad was friends with one of the assistant coaches, who gave it to him shortly after the Cotton Bowl. I had intended to give it back to the University during the 2009 season, on the 50^th anniversary of the national championship. But of course, that was the year when you first tried to change me from “B” to “A”, so I was in no mood to do the school any favors. But now, after giving thought to what has happened here, I have learned that, in the end, all that matters is money. That’s the lesson you are teaching. Loyalty has no value; past support means nothing; the fact that I kept my tickets through the four miserable Robinson years – that’s less than nothing.That only showed what a sucker I was. So if money is the only important thing, I’ll hang onto the signed football and eventually sell it on E-bay. Now if you’re old fashioned, as I am, that’s a sad coda to this whole story. But if you’re all about money, and that seems to be the new perspective in the Athletic Department, then I have learned from this experience, and it’s a fine ending to the whole episode. Especially considering that I’ll save three thousand dollars next year. By the way, did you know that the games are broadcast on TV? I don’t have to drive down the Thruway in a snowstorm; I can watch them on a big flat screen here in Rochester, enjoying a beverage and a sandwich without having to pay twelve bucks to park my car.

Don’t bother calling. This time I’m not renewing, even if you return me to “B” for another two years, as you did in 2009. The way I’ve been treated, I just don’t care any more.

Very truly yours,

David Rothenberg