Over a couple years, I've sent emails and a letter showing concerns friends and I had of having students sit at mid-field.
A few reasons came to mind, but the biggest was;
No other Div I football team in the adjacent state area had a student section at mid-field (Montana, Montana St, SD, SDstate, NDSU, & Min). All had them at the 30 yard line and towards the end zone and/or behind the end zone.