To the editor:

I am writing to defend Lew Perkins and his staff for their decisions regarding the points-based seating policy at Allen Fieldhouse. I think it is important for everyone to realize that, like it or not, college athletics is a business. This is true of every major university. If KU were to deny that fact and continue with the status quo, we would be left behind as others gather more funding, build better facilities and attract more talented recruits.

Funding for college athletics is critical to a team’s success. Men’s basketball and football are the cash cows of college athletics. In order for all of the nonrevenue sports to exist, let alone be successful, men’s basketball and football must carry the burden of drawing crowds and the resulting ticket revenue. This isn’t new.

But it would now seem that so many “loyal” Jayhawks are angry at the athletic department for taking the necessary steps to build a better athletic department AS A WHOLE. They are angry because for years they enjoyed magnificent views of one of the most storied college basketball programs in the nation without paying fair market value. To them I say, be grateful for the time that you had and realize that is better for the university as a whole.

While you may disagree in principle with what the KUAC is doing, your beef shouldn’t be with them but with the rest of college athletics.

To Lew Perkins, keep up the good work. I’m glad you’re here.

Eric Beightel,

Lawrence