Vols' fans sit on both sides of seat debate

I stop short of calling it a "controversy" because the response has been lukewarm.

The AskChuck@knews.com complaint desk received about 20 responses after an e-mail was published in a recent Sunday column.

About 10 others spoke in favor of the new seats.

To set the record straight, 17,000 stadium seats were manufactured for UT and about 9,400 have been leased. The cost for the seven-game home season was $35 per chair.

The seats were bolted down by students who earned 75 cents per chair. It was a pretty good gig because about 20 or 22 seats could be installed per hour.

While the pluses are numerous, some people are upset because it has taken up leg room in an already-cramped situation.

At least part of the problem appears to be the leg room varies in different parts of the stadium.

"A handful of people have complained," said Chris Fuller, who is UT's assistant athletic director for facilities. "We have tried to address every complaint."

Here's a sampling of the responses:

Dear Chuck,

These seats may be "new" but they definitely are not improved.

My husband and I felt totally trapped into too small of a space with the stadium seats in front and behind us. Has (UT athletic director) Mike Hamilton seated himself into such a row?

We each had to take stretch breaks - from being so cramped and confined and had to leave at halftime. I am so disappointed and very inclined not to return.

CLAUDIA WEBER

Nashville

Dear Chuck:

We sit in section W and the people behind us and in our row didn't seem to have any problem moving about with the new seats. These fans made many trips during the course of the ballgame without incident. We thank Mike Hamilton for this new feature and hope he makes it available in future seasons.

JON & SHERRIE HILTBRAND

Rocky Face, Ga.

Dear Chuck:

Thanks for asking for input regarding the new stadium seats. I do not like them. There is no room to pass in our row. The people who sit down in the row from me are virtually trapped in their seats. We all have to stand when someone exits or enters and, even then, must climb over the projected back of the seat.

Since the protruding area is steel and the seat cannot be moved, it makes it a real problem for the fans in the row behind the seat.

MARYE ROSE

Knoxville

Chuck:

I sit in section K and leased two seats and find them very comfortable. It's much better than a hard plank seat. I have asked people behind us if the seats intrude on their space. No complaints so far.

DICK TISDALE

Farragut

Send questions or comments to AskChuck@knews.com. Chuck Cavalaris will host The Ticket Sports Page Live from 3-4 p.m. today on WQBB 1040AM.