re: Why aren't student tickets free as they once were?

The way to fix the problem with student attendance is to (largely) deregualte student attendance. It has become very regulated over the years, largely because demand once outstripped supply for student tix.

Solutions:

1. No announcement necessary and no official policy, but subject the students to no more scrutiny than "adult sections" on bringing "stuff" into the game. Those who wish to drink are less likely to leave if they can sneak in enough hooch to get their young, thirsty selves through the game.

2. Make it cheaper to attend. E.g., first come, first served with an ID swipe (and if they must, make the ID swipe result in a charge on the account). This will encourage students to go even if they don't have tix in advance or even the extra jingle to pay for a ticket at the time. Some will be turned away but that only makes it a bigger deal to get in. (I suppose you could stick with whatever group seating they have for frats/law school/etc. if that still exists).

3. Make nonstudent guest tix easy to get, reasonably priced, and usable by bearer. Yes, this creates a secondary market for big games but I say the main goal is a packed, preferably raucous student section.

All of these have some potentially negative externalities, but they would help put and keep young fannies in the seats so they can continue serenading us old folks with the dulcet tones of "Suck that Tiger ..."