Team moving to west sideline, providing better shading

In addition to 8,000 season-ticket holders and 13,000-plus students moving to new seats this year because of construction at Sun Devil Stadium, the Arizona State football team is relocating to the west sideline.

Moving the student section from the east side to the north and south end zones in the first major phase of stadium reconstruction opens the way for the Sun Devils to put their bench on the west side, where coach Todd Graham prefers them to be in part for better shading during day games.

The Pac-12 prohibits students sitting directly behind a visiting team bench so the only choices previously were for the team to be on the east side or for ASU to take a financial hit by giving up lucrative west-side seats to students.

“That’s our home side, and logistically, it’s the best place for us to be,” ASU football coach Todd Graham said. “And you can play a day game and the sun’s not in your face. It’s just a natural deal that you would be on the side of the press box.”

Vice President for Athletics Ray Anderson expects most fans will understand the move.

“That’s what the head coach wants,” Anderson said. “It’s an advantage for us to be on that sideline out of the sun, and he thinks it’s a change that will be beneficial to us. I’m going to hope our fans will see that as a driving force and adapt very quickly.

“You don’t blame people for having traditions, but sometimes you make change for the better and there will be some short-term anxiety about it. I think when they understand this is something the head coach wanted for the benefit of his team that folks will come along and understand and just enjoy the experience. It makes sense sequentially to do it this way so that’s why the timing.”

ASU is working on renewals for current season-ticket holders and accepting a non-refundable $100 deposit to reserve a spot for new season tickets. Those placing a deposit will choose seats before the general public. The Sun Devils play seven home games: Cal Poly, Sept. 12; New Mexico, Sept.18; USC, Sept. 26; Colorado, Oct. 10; Oregon, Oct. 29; Washington, Nov. 14; and Arizona, Nov. 21.