The editorial in the Aug. 21 Welcome Back edition of the Daily includes factual errors and misleading statements.

“The ISU Athletic Department’s decision to change all former public parking around Jack Trice Stadium into reserved parking for members of the National Cyclone Club is misguided and an act of treason against ISU students.”

In fact, student gameday parking guidelines were decided by the university, not the athletic department.

“Students at every school do that, and complaints about ‘rowdy behavior’ are few and far between.”

Few and far between?

I don’t know how many arrests were made in this ISU parking area, but I know on football gameday they were more than “few and far between.”

Next to financial viability, this is the most talked about issue in college athletics. Last year, major crowd/student incidents at Ohio State and Marshall, among others, were covered nationally. USA Today made it the focus of a major story in the past year.

No one who covers college sports could possibly miss the serious, nationwide attention this issue has received.

“True, there are a few students who do cause problems, but that’s what the police and DPS are there for.”

At an event that draws 50,000 people, police and DPS have plenty to do. This includes watching individuals who don’t even go inside the stadium during the game. Bruce Van De Velde gets steady input from fans wanting sterner action. Liability is indeed a concern. We hold our breath watching alcohol-fueled behavior by individuals rushing on to the field after a game who place their safety and the safety of others at risk.

In addition, the overwhelming number of ISU student-athletes annually make a positive impact in the ISU community and in central Iowa — yes, even this summer. There must not have been room for that.

Tom Kroeschell

Associate Athletics Director

Media Relations