WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Wichita State University is offering new base seats for Shocker basketball games, a money-generating plan facing backlash due to the cost to the cheer squads and of university dance.

A post that went viral on Facebook reports that the cheerleading team and dance team are losing pride of place on the field and may even have to serve food to season ticket holders seated in newly available premium seats at edge of the field.

Wichita State University responded to questions about its plans, saying it is always looking for new ways to increase revenue without increasing tuition and that premium seats near the field could help bring in revenue. ‘money.

With this change, cheerleaders and dancers will be moved to the student section during games and teams will have access to the field during pregame, timeouts and halftime, the university said. 12 News spoke with a former Shocker cheerleader who is among those upset about the change.

“I don’t want to keep using the word ‘disrespect,’ but just overlook the hard work and dedication of these athletes, especially because many of them don’t get scholarships, the dance team doesn’t “And they’re supposed to adhere to the student-athlete guidelines, but they’re not treated the same as every other student-athlete,” said Wichita State Cheer alumna.

Other WSU Cheer alumni took to social media to express their frustrations with the change, particularly bothered by the proposal that spirit team members would serve food.

Wichita State University released its response after seeing conversations stir up on social media.

This statement reads in part: “This year, Athletics paid third party staff (not cheering/dancing) to serve as wait staff/waiters/lead runners for season ticket holders in the seats premium. »

The university also said that spirit squads, as well as other organizations, have the opportunity to make concessions during games to raise funds for themselves.

WSU’s statement also states that this change does not impact the accessibility of cheers/dances on the floor for performances during pregame, in-game timeouts, and halftime.

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