Do the seats proud

Ever wonder what the 20,000 seats in Memorial Stadium that aren't filled do on Saturdays? \nThe players know how bad it sucks to have a crowd that could be out-numbered by a state-wide meeting of the Athletes Foot Association. But what about those poor seats?\nIt's the same seats week after week that aren't used -- you know, those seats in all four corners of Memorial Stadium. \nThey're there to be sat on, sometimes stood on and occasionally slept on, no doubt in another IU defeat. Instead, they're usually limited to shining in the sun or collecting raindrops and empty cups. Poor, lonely seats. \n Wonder what they thought when Utah came to Bloomington last month? They probably woke up around noon, watched the grounds crew work on the field, the teams warm up and 26,591 fans plod into their seats. \n "Just stay asleep," Row 23, Seat 12 said to his fellow seats in Section 12. "It's Utah, no one will bother to use us." \nBut the seats know they have a bunch of friends in Ohio. Every other year or so, Row 33, Seat 11 in Section 2 sees a familiar red-and-silver Ohio State rump. This season, the crowd of 48, 577 had to shock the seats. But they probably pay attention to the schedule, so they knew what was coming. \n"Get up, fellas. It's Ohio State week," Section 3, Row 34, Seat 5 said to the rest of the west stands. "I know it's hard to imagine, but we'll be used this weekend."\nSo, the seats polished themselves, got a little tan and woke up early Saturday for their big day. Hey, they don't have big days that often. \nThis weekend, it's back to the normal routine for the seats -- Illinois reportedly sent back more than 1,000 tickets. \nThe seats took it personally. \n"Damn Illinois fans," Section 15, Row 29, Seat 17 said. "Is their Memorial Stadium better than ours, or what?" \nAt that point, the seats were ready to pick a fight with the benches at Illinois' Memorial Stadium, but they calmed down when they realized with no one sitting on them, they'll get to see a good game. Imagine the good games and careers they've seen: Anthony Thompson running for 1,793 yards during his near-Heisman season of 1989; Trent Green tossing for 2,627 yards in 1991; IU throwing for a Stadium record 441 yards against Ball State in 1997 and Antwaan Randle El running, punting, passing and returning for something like three million yards during his four-year career. The seats behind each endzone have caught extra points from All-American kicker Pete Stoyanovich.\n"It's been a great ride," Section 34, Row 12, Seat 14 says. "I remember when Pete kicked two 53-yarders in 1988. I caught them both. Boy, that was great. But, this year's been a little bumpy, since IU has had trouble kicking extra points and field goals."\nSeat 14 is correct -- four missed extra points and three wobbly, misfired field goals. But he is optimistic and has his own solution.\n"Maybe Coach Cam Cameron should let Antwaan kick," he said before wandering into another topic. "Wonder if I'll see Cameron around here next fall ... I think Bill Mallory was better. At least his teams could kick an extra point." \nBut Seat 14 puts aside his criticism, remembering the 63-32 shellacking IU handed Wisconsin last weekend and wishing he could have seen it. \nSeat 14 has seen more hot dog wrappers than fans in the last five years. He's heard more lawn mowers than ovations. And he's witnessed less than a dozen victories. \nSo, when you stroll into Memorial Stadium, glance toward the trapezoid-shaped areas where fans will be sitting, then notice those poor, empty seats. \nDo IU football and the seats favor. Get someone to sit in them.