By Chuckie Maggio @chuckiemaggio
The Atlantic 10 has weighed in on the new courtside seats St. Bonaventure is putting in the Reilly Center.
The controversy over putting seats in front of the Bona student section died down after athletic director Tim Kenney explained the move’s safety implications, but there was still some confusion over the conference’s silence in the matter.
When reached for comment this week, A-10 Assistant Commissioner Drew Dickerson said the decision was St. Bonaventure’s and was not forced by the conference.
“The conference discusses student-athlete, staff and fan safety/sportsmanship annually at every business meeting; this includes in-arena and on-campus field facilities,” Dickerson said. “Each member institution decides how best to manage their own facilities with respect to seating, safety and security.
“SBU’s new in-arena seating plan should not be confused with the conference’s commitment to safety (and) sportsmanship as this not a new topic, and it will continue to be an important discussion for the conference.”
Dickerson’s comments make it clear that there was no order that SBU add these seats. Rather, Bona felt this was the best way to manage the Reilly Center with respect to “seating, safety and security.” For Kenney and his staff, it was a peaceful resolution to avoid discipline down the road, as the conference seems to have been patient with the “Reilly Rowdies” for quite some time.
intrepidsbu.com 