Crosstown campout cancelled?

Every other December, students layered in hoodies and sheltered by family-sized tents endure the experience

of sleeping on the cold winter ground to clinch the best seats in the house to the annual men's basketball rivalry known as the Crosstown Shootout. However, Xavier Ticketing Office and administrators have circulated

discussion about dismissing the campout this season for tickets to the 80-year basketball rivalry. "Nothing is hard and fast and there have been no firm decisions about anything," Brett Sanders, director of Ticketing and Premium Seating, said. "But there has been talk. It certainly could happen."

The Crosstown Shootouts of 2007 and 2009 (held at Cintas Center) were scheduled during the second week of December and this year's game is expected to follow suit. This week also corresponds to the week prior to finals for Xavier students, which has presented problems with the campout in years past. This issue, along with conflicting

schedules for the women's Crosstown Shootout and consistency issues regarding the ticketing process for all home games, was brought to the attention of the ticketing office by administration and has been the heart of the debate concerning the campout's cancellation. "The women's game the night before was considered in the discussion as well as voiced concerns about camping out right before finals week," Sanders said. "One of the main points we considered was consistency for students. The proposed plan for purchasing tickets for this year's Crosstown Shootout would be exactly the same as a normal home game. " Sanders said the current debate is

being circulated between departments that work directly with students on a daily basis and includes Athletics and

Administration, Student Life and Leadership and Health and Wellness. Despite this circulation among exclusive

administration, Luther Smith, dean of students, read a mock press release which disclosed a proposed plan for this year's campout during the "Report of the Administration" of this week's SGA meeting. "No assertions are going to be made until the mock press release circles around to everybody and we get everybody's feelings about

the topic," Sanders said. "We should have a final decision by the end of the week." Historically, attending the Crosstown Shootout campout is considered a staple on campus and has created a biennial tradition Xavier students look forward to attending. "I can understand where

they're coming from, but if you truly get rid of the Crosstown

Shootout campout, you are taking out a key part of the basketball culture," Scott Mueller, 2011 Xavier graduate, said. "It's a cultural mindset that could possibly be left behind." Other alumni comment that the campout is an opportunity for Xavier fans to show their true spirit and Xavier pride. "Xavier doesn't have the size like Ohio State or Florida, so it is rare when we get to see so much dedication in one event. The Crosstown Shootout campout

gives students visible evidence that this pride still exists on campus, despite our small size," Claire O'Connor, 2011 graduate, said. When asked if the tradition of the campout was discussed, Sanders said that there were a number of voices who spoke for this argument, mentioning the goal of the discussion should not be to kill the campout, but more

so to maintain an equitable and fair system to get tickets for the game.