By Stephenson Beck
sjb23@email.byu.edu
A visitor in the Cougar Stadium student section will find football fanatics, insane freshmen and loyal upperclassmen.
Loyal upperclassmen? Not according to David Miles, Marriott Center ticket manager.
'The older the student, the more we lose the social athletic fan,' Miles said.
So why do upperclassmen not attend games very often?
'The novelty of going to a football game has worn on them,' said Brook Smith, 24, a senior from Eden Prairie, Minn., majoring in English.
Increased time commitments of upperclassmen also prevent an open schedule to go to games, Smith said.
Some students believe it has to do with the type of fan.
'There are two reasons for attending BYU football - one is football fanatics and two is a social function,' said Adam Phillips, 22, a junior from Evanston, Wyo., majoring in communications.
'And when you are married and older, you're off-balance of the whole social atmosphere and don't care as much,' Phillips said.
Many students admit that they decide whether or not to go depending on who else will be there.
'I'm not sure if I'm going to buy season tickets - it depends on if my friends want to,' said Olivia Love, 20, a junior from New Canaan, Conn., majoring in home economics education. 'I used to be real excited. Now if I really want to go to a game, I'll buy separate tickets.'
Beyond football fanatics and social fans, many would add a third group to the list.
'I think that the freshmen are one of the stronger represented groups. They are new and excited about what is going on,' Miles said.
Freshmen find the games a way to have a real BYU experience.
'It's a good way to get involved, a way to get excess energy out,' said Derick Workman, 18, a freshman from Austin, Texas.
The question is how long will that excitement last. When will the social fan decide to be social at home?
Others would not miss a game no matter what. It depends on the tie to the team, said Justin Low, 22, a sophomore from West Lafayette, Ind., majoring in mechanical engineering.
'If the football team was really bad, I think I would still go to the games. Everyone has school spirit when they are a freshman, but only the true football fans make it to the end,' Low said.