How have the Ushers been...

[Padraig]

...at the Ohio State Football Games you've attended? This year...last year? What sections have you sat that you've had a 'good' (friendly, helpful, knowledgable) experience? What sections have you sat in where you weren't impressd with the Ushers (helpfulness, appearance, etc.)?

As some of you know, this is a bit of a personal question for me. This past game we were told that an e-mail was recieved by the Athletic Dept. just completely trashing the Ushers in a particular Section of the Stadium: "not well kept / dressed, looked like the University pulled a few bums off the street to help at the N. Illimois Game; not friendly or helpful at all...much more interested in watching the game themselves than helping anyone looking for info or direction, to the point of acting 'put out' if someone did ask a question; standing and eating in front of the paying fans to where some couldn't see at times..."

So, I was wondering if anyone had had similar experiences...especially if you sat in the same seats over a season and noticed consistantly bad, or hopefully even consistanly good jobs being done by the Ushers in your section.

 

[FKAGobucks877]

There are ushers at the games?

Kidding, of course. To be honest, I don't even notice the ushers...but I've been going to games at the 'Shoe for over 20 years, so I don't really need them. I certainly haven't noticed anything negative, so it seems to be that they're doing their jobs as they should.

 

[Best Buckeye]

the guy in 35 B stepped up and was pleasant and helpful. But I Have found over the last 50 years that they have always been that way.
Just another good thing about the Buckeye football event.

 

[IronBuckI]

Never had a problem with ushers. Went to the NIU game, and all of the ones that I saw seemed to be very helpful. Didn't look like bums either.

 

[Thump]

A side question, why don't they wear red coats anymore?

So they stand out better amongst the red in black?

 

[Saw31]

It seems to me that someone who writes an e-mail like that is just someone looking for something to bitch about...How much of the gameday experience actually involves the ushers? A whole 5 seconds maybe?

 

[Padraig]

Good to hear. I guess the best compliment we can get is if you don't need us, you don't notice us, but if you do we're available and helpful.

The Red Coats are still used for the Ticket Takers. But a few years ago Ushers were given Black Coats, I think simply to help distinguish the two positions. As the weather cools down you'll see the Red Coats 'manning' the Gates and the Black Coats at the Stadium Portals.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

The only negative experience I've had with Ushers was at the Michigan game 2 years ago. I was with my dad, so I didn't want to leave him in the stands to rush the field by myself. I finally talked him into doing it. We get to AA and the ushers stop us. They say they aren't letting anybody on the field. My dad says, "You mean, besides the 90,000 people already on it?"

I can't imagine writing an email about a bad experience with ushers though.

 

[Padraig]

It seems to me that someone who writes an e-mail like that is just someone looking for something to bitch about...How much of the gameday experience actually involves the ushers? A whole 5 seconds maybe?

To tell you the truth, I don't doubt that someone had a legit complaint. I've worked in a few different areas, with several different people and some people just don't take a whole lot of pride in themselves or the job they are supposed to be doing.

There are those (many who have had too much to drink, and some who are just disagreeable people) that you can't please no matter how much effort you put into it. But if even a percentage of what was written was true, and again I don't doubt that some if not all was based on my own experiences, then I'd probably do the same thing as a paying customer.

Make no mistake, I'm a huge Buckeye fan, and I'm watching the game and cheering, and I wouldn't be volunteering my time if I was expected to stand there at attention like a robot without the perks of seeing our Buckeyes as a fan. But those 'perks' come with the understanding that I am there to help those paying customers when needed, and that's a responsibility that doesn't seem to be taken very seriousy by a few Ushers that I personally have witnessed.

But again, very good to hear that the initial response have been positive.

Thanks. :osu:

EDIT:

Those Ushers at the UM game 2 years ago took things into their hands that they were definitely not supposed to. We are very clearly instructed not to attempt to 'stop' anyone from doing anthing. We can tell someone that they're not supposed to smoke, or to turn a 'foul-language' t-shirt inside out. But if they don't comply the only thing we can do is tell a superviser who calls the cops and they take care of it. I think it is even specifically stated that we are not to act as 'crowd control' if fans are rushing the field, but to get out of the way for our own safety. So those Ushers were out of line.

 

[bkochmc]

My wife and I went to the NIU game and had were helped out by a nice usher working the 25A-27A entrance. Told us it would be easier to get to our seats using the 27A-29A entrance instead, which it was... no complaints here!

 

[BuckeyeSkins]

The ushers have all been polite, helpful and well-dressed at the games I've manage to attend. No complaints at all.

I'm still trying to figure out what the two Boy Scounts were supposed to be doing in section 12A. They just stood in the aisle between sections 12 and 14. I'm not complaining about them. I just never saw them do anything except stand in the aisle.

 

[keeponrisin]

I have been to every home game since Scum in 2001. As I am familiar with the stadium, I'm usually not the type to need help with anything. I have always found them helpful if need be.
This past weekend however, I had seats in 17A. I've noticed in the past years that many people stop for assistance in finding their seats. I had just visited the concession stand, bought a large drink and super nacho. As I approached the usher he was asking for tickets. My cousin who was with me kindly showed his, and I kept walking because I knew exactly where I was sitting seat # row # etc. The usher literally chased me up about 10 steps and asked to see my ticket. I advised him that he was killing me, allowed him to hold my nachos and drink as I retrieved the ticket from my sock (silly, but I keep it there to keep it in good condition as I keep all my stubs). I advised him exactly where my seat was as I retrieved the ticket.
While I'm not one to complain, it just seemed unreasonable that he chased me up the stairs in order to have a glance at my ticket, while I feel that he could have been assisting others that needed help, especially when my partner in crime who's hands weren't full of goodies had presented his ticket already.
Only bad experience thus far, but I can't wait to get back to my normal section so I don't have to present my tic every time I would happen to leave for something.

I did feel better that I made him hold my concessions while I hiked up my pant leg and retrieved the ticket while telling him the exact seat location of said ticket.

GO BUCKS!

 

[Padraig]

The Boy Scouts were pretty much doing what they are supposed to be doing...nothing really. Not to sound 'bad' or insensitive or anything because I think it's a nice gesture to allow the Scouts in for free (as the University has done for decades) if they volunteer their efforts to stand there and be available for whatever. I thought it was a mistake to consider cancelling the relationship and am glad the University changed their mind.

Maybe the next time an unreasonable Usher chases Keeponrisin up the stairs, he'll bring a boy scout to at least carry your food the rest of the way for you. Seriously though, I've been in sections where the chief usher had us check everyone's tickets as they wanted back in the section and as you mentioned it is flat out stupid! and impossible during half time. The section I'm in now, we take the opposite approach. We'll help when asked or if you look a bit lost, but we're not going to chase you down to make sure you're walking up the right flight of stairs. Heck, the one section I was in wouldn't even let a Dad and his son peak in "their" Portal to see what the stadium looked like from that vantage point (first time to the stadium, etc.). Jerks! Glad you got some satisfaction from having the guy hold you food, Keepon...I might have had him walk it up the rest of the way for the inconvenience. :)

And for the rest of you out there...stay out of the very exclusive & "Private" 17A area of the Stadium...It is restricted, and the Nacho Police don't want to have to tell you twice!

Go Bucks! :osu:

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

They've been just fine so far for me. I hand him the ticket he makes sure I'm in the right place and hands it back, gives me a general idea of the location, and I go along my way.

The vendors, on the other hand, irritate the hell outta me. First off, the bastards shouldn't be wandering around obstructing my view during the game. Pisses me off to no end.

Secondly, they need to make sure that the vendors are capable of carrying a tray of ice and soda up and down the stairs. There was a kid this past weekend, maybe 13, who took about 3 minutes to get down 15 steps because he wasn't tall enough to hold the tray higher than the railing. He had to go down the steps sideways with his back to the railing, while trying not to bash the unsuspecting spectators upside the head.