History recounts the infamous quote attributed to Marie Antoinette during the days of the French Revolution. When she asked her aides why the citizens were rioting in the streets, she was told it was because they had no bread to eat; to which she replied, “let them eat cake.” Indeed, an ill-offered statement she would live to regret.

I do not think you will find the phrase ‘ivory tower syndrome’ in any medical dictionary, but it is one I firmly believe exists. The phrase (defined by yours truly, not Mr. Webster) references those occasions when policy decisions are made at the top levels of a business or corporate organization and then passed down the food chain to be observed and carried out by the multitudes.

Perhaps not as egregious as Antoinette’s uttering, but sometimes these decisions/directives are being made by individuals who may have little comprehension of, or have ‘walked the walk,’ of the people who will bear the brunt of the directive being made.

As the local sports scene shifts its emphasis from the outdoor fall sports to the more confined environs of the gymnasium, those involved in the health/safety of the participants and fans have decisions to make. As an observer, it seems many of these decisions are being made by administrations, athletic directors, and school boards in consultation with their peers. That seems to be a reasonable way to go about things.

During the past month, our area was treated to some tremendous achievements by teams and individuals in various sports taking part in the PIAA District IV playoffs. The athletes are to be congratulated on their accomplishments. The fans that watched experienced a real treat.

However, in covering and watching several of these events, a reoccurring topic of conversation centered on ‘what is the PIAA doing?’

OK, OK, I know that question has been repeated many times over the years, but let’s cut the governing body a little slack. During the most difficult onset of COVID, they remained steadfast in trying to allow scholastic athletes with the opportunities to compete in their chosen sports. It wasn’t always easy, but at least games were played.

But somewhere during the recently completed district playoffs, that view from the ivory tower got a bit distorted.

With the PIAA in charge of the playoffs, someone came up with the brilliant idea to make the populous purchase their game tickets only via an online website of their choosing. Fans couldn’t walk up to the stadium and purchase a ticket, nor could they stop by the school offices for the same purpose. Oh, no, ‘go to your computer’ was the command. (Would you like angel food or marble cake with that?)

Seeking an explanation, inquiries were made to the District IV committee. The organization’s president, Chris Venna (Superintendent, Shamokin Area School District), took the time to respond.

“We used online ticketing last year, and it went extremely smooth. For this year, we decided to utilize it as our exclusive way to purchase tickets for events based on several factors: the success of its implementation last year; online ticketing reduces the risk for COVID transmission since there is no exchange of money at the gate; for auditing purposes, it is a much more efficient and cleaner process; it is being utilized during the state playoffs so implementing it during district play makes sense, and many events all throughout the state (and country) use online ticketing (so most people are familiar).”

At a game site, a district official did explain to me that the policy was developed last year as part of the COVID concern in limiting individual contact. That, indeed, is understandable. But even when people purchase tickets online, they enter the stadium and buy a game program, raffle tickets, and food at the concession stand and pay for the same with cash.

Most likely, that ivory tower has an updated computer system and all the comforts of home, but questions must be asked — what about those folks that don’t own computers or are not comfortable enough to complete the ticket buying purchase; or the fan that makes a last-minute decision to attend the game, or drives several hours to get to one not aware of the computer purchasing mandate; or the individual that doesn’t want to pay the convenience fees associated with online buying? Or how about the fan that goes online, buys the ticket, and then because of weather or personal circumstances, doesn’t go to the game? Too bad the PIAA is counting the take.

The past two years haven’t been a whole lot of fun. Some school districts have not sold season passes, not knowing if athletic events would be canceled. Some schools have offered to help fans with online ticket purchasing by going to the school office. But if all a fan wants to do is go to the game — is all that necessary?

“I see both pros and cons with this ticketing plan for post-season events,” a local District IV committee member explained. “The state and auditors have endorsed the plan as it eliminates cash at the venues, which trickles down with accounting procedures, ticket logs, selling tickets, taking tickets, money deposits, and game reports. The online process eliminates potential discrepancies with this process for everyone.

“I understand the situation it puts spectators and general fans into for attending games to support their local schools and community. The new process has benefits, but I do understand the difficulties and hassles it will cause people in terms of attending the games to support their schools and teams.”

Webster DOES define convenience as “the quality of being suitable or useful.” Like beauty itself, it’s all in the eyes of the beholder.