Quote:
Originally Posted by Cory
If this argument is centered on VIP seats there are 360* of suites that can be used. No reason the boxes can't be moved to the sidelines, unless FIRST is using one of the special much larger box/club areas in the end zones, which I'm unsure of.
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Pat mentioned it, but the VIP area used is a special club/lounge area, with its own seating dropped down in front. That way, VIPs can stay up in the lounge area to watch Einstein (and not take up normal arena seats, which leaves room for the kids). The only VIPs on the floor are those speaking in the ceremonies, and anyone in their party. Most of them are upstairs in that lounge, as there is a reception after Einstein in that space (and there's food. Who wouldn't stay with the food?!) The smaller boxes along the 'long side' of the arena are the tiny private ones - which are reserved for media interviews and meetings, and would not serve the purpose of a VIP lounge well, since each box only fits about 10 people.
In Atlanta, this club area was on the 'long' side - but didn't have enough seating for people to watch matches - in fact, matches were displayed on TVs. As a result, the 'kid-award-recipient' seating was in the regular stands, and all floor seats were for VIPs.
Now in STL ~800 students (2 award-recipient wristbands per team) are in the floor seats, with VIPs up in the club area.
This means that ALL available arena seats are for teams/volunteers to watch the Einstein matches. It's still a crunch, but then again it's very hard to see such a small field from most of the seating -- which is why the matches AND ceremonies are displayed on the divisional field screens. Sitting at either one of the divisions nearby Einstein would work as well. (Yes, I am VERY aware that it's not the same- and that sometimes the sound wasn't working well in the divisions- it's just another thought.)