Tar Heels Fan Snub Reminiscent of 1992 'Seinfeld' Episode

On Jan. 14, NewsObserver.com reported a Tar Heels fan's attire cost him a prime seat at basketball game between North Carolina and Virginia. Because of his Carolina blue gear, Greg Demery could not take his seat a mere two rows behind the Cavaliers bench at John Paul Jones Arena.

Fan Fashion Faux Pas
An employee approached him and said he was wearing the wrong colors. Demery, a loyal North Carolina fan, thought it was harmless ribbing. Then a staff member verified his ticket for authenticity and seemed surprised by its validity. Finally, associate athletic director Jason Bauman relocated him to a seat 19 rows higher.

It turns out, the seats behind the bench belong to Virginia staffers and the team does not allow fans of opposing teams to sit there. Demery purchased his ticket from a scalper, a legal transaction in this case, but it originated from a staffer who shared the complimentary ticket with someone who ultimately sold to a scalper.

News of staffers moving fans periodically make headlines, but this particular story reeks of "Seinfeld" with its serendipitous twists and turns.

"Seinfeld" Connection
A similar incident occurred in a 1992 episode of the fictional TV show "Seinfeld" when Elaine proudly wore a Baltimore Orioles cap to a game at Yankee Stadium. Thanks to Jerry's girlfriend, she, George and Kramer were fortunate enough to receive free seats in the owner's box two rows behind the Yankee dugout.

The team's accountant, who shared his tickets, shows up to greet the trio. Shocked by Elaine's baseball cap, he suggests she remove it since she is sitting in the owner's box. As with Demery's situation, she first thinks he is joking. He persists and the two argue.

She refuses to remove the cap, insisting, "This is America!" She cannot understand what is wrong with wearing a baseball cap to a baseball game. The arguing continues and the accountant summons security to remove Elaine.

A photo of the incident makes the sports section in the newspaper.

Middle Ground?
At least Elaine had the option of removing her cap and enjoying the baseball game in the owner's box. Demery lost his prime seat before the game began. Bauman thinks he handled the situation well by giving Demery a good seat.

Although the seat near the bench was not for sale to the public, Demery's find was the fault of a Virginia staffer, not because of wrongdoing on his part. Someone should have given him a seat much closer to the one he lost. Surely, a neighboring fan in the non-staff area would have loved to swap seats for a closer view of the basketball game.

The North Carolina Tar Heels beat the Virginia Cavaliers 62 to 56 that night.

Perhaps the "Seinfeld" episode The Letter will become required viewing for Virginia staffers who accept complimentary tickets.

Sources:
Leah Friedman, "Tar Heels Fan Booted from Seat at UVA", News Observer
"The Letter", Yahoo! TV
"Official Basketball Box Score", Carolina Tar Heels