Ticket policy at your school?

Terry in Crapchester · Tue Jan 24, 2006 6:45 pm

I haven't been able to afford to go back for a ND game in quite some time, but here's ND's ticket policy, as I recall it.

Alumni are eligible to be included in the football ticket lottery provided they make the minimum contribution to the school in the preceding year. The minimum contribution varies depending on how long you've been out, but for alumni who've been out between 5 and 50 years -- obviously the overwhelming majority of living alumni -- it's $100. Usually a little less for everyone else.

You're then sent a lottery form through which you're permitted to apply to purchase a limited number of general admission tickets for each game, home and away. I believe the limit is 4 per home game and 2 per away game. With respect to away games, I believe ND gives priority to those alumni who live in relatively close proximity to the game site. Here's the catch: you have to send in full payment for every game for which you're applying. ND then notifies you, about two months later, whether you won the lottery, and if so, for which games. You also get a refund check for the games you didn't win.

ND has us by the shorthairs on this, and they know it. Basically, what they get is free use of our money for about two months. I suspect that they have a very high-yield, short-term account set up, and that's where this money goes.

So the good news is that if you're an alum who gives the minimum contribution to ND each year, and if you're willing and able to give ND a short-term interest-free loan of a fairly sizeable chunk of your money every year, you have an excellent chance of winning tickets to at least one game every year. But you have to jump through hoops to do it.

There's also a "Parents' Week" set up every year in which parents of current ND students can purchase GA tickets for one home game, I believe this game is guaranteed to the parents. Usually it's the home game with the least amount of interest for the alumni, whichever one that is.

I've seen a lot of people on this board post about having season tickets, and this shocked me at first. There are no season tickets at ND, at least not if you're not either: (a) a current student; (b) a faculty member or other ND employee; (c) an alumnus who's been out 50 years or more; (d) a significant benefactor of ND and its football program; or (e) willing and able to pay substantially more than face value for at least some of the games. And to be honest, I figured it was that way at other schools as well. In fact, if anything, I would have expected tickets to be harder to come by at most other schools, given the fact that in terms of enrollment, ND is one of the 20 or so smallest schools at the 1-A level, and by extension, there are far fewer living ND alumni than there are alumni of most other 1-A schools. OTOH, I suppose a greater percentage of students, and by extension, alumni, at most other 1-A schools are less passionate about their school's football team than is the case at ND.

So how does your school do it?

Shawn Marion · Post by **Shawn Marion** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 6:53 pm

tOSU

Alumni giving the minimum get the opportunity to purchase 2 tickets to 1 home game. It is a lottery that the game you get is based on what letter your last name starts with.

Of course, there are certain levels of giving money that earn you the opportunity to purchase season tickets.

There are a number of PSL type seats and Luxury boxes, but I am not sure how they work other than costing lots of money.

Bottom line, at tOSU money talks.

Sky · Post by **Sky** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:07 pm

Shit yeah, I worked in the alumni association when I went there, and let me tell you, the number of people giving large sums of money (6, 7 and 8 figures would blow your mind). I know we all talked about the big donors but tOSU has a ton of people who give 100's of thousands of dollars.

I know for season tickets, you have to be a certain level of donor ($1200+ I think). This gives you the opportunity to buy tickets for about 7 games a year at $56 a pop (depending on the home-home deals). Thus, each ticket costs about $225. But you do get season tickets, so whatever. If you have the money, there aren't many things more fun for a Buckeye.

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:11 pm

People have said that if you donate $1000 to the Sorin Society, you pretty much are guaranteed tickets to every game. That's for alumni and non-alumni.

King Crimson · Post by **King Crimson** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:18 pm

Believe the Heupel wrote:If you don't donate an assload and buy seasons tickets to every sport, you're fucked.

That's pretty much OU's ticket policy.

or know people in the AD. my dad did some legal work for some Santee Lounge cat in the OU AD in the mid 70's and has had killer tix in hoops and football ever since.

almost 30 years now. i know he "contributes" like everyone else....he also "contributes" to the golf program (or used to--doesn't like the current golf coach). He's also REALLY tired of Castiglione asking for more money every year; that, i know.

at Colorado, if you are a senior or a grad student a season ticket is 55$ (used to be 35$ when i started as a MA student). you get seats in section 117 (Mike?) which is about the 40-45 yard line, lower section. i had tix for 5 years and we never were higher than row 25 behind the CU bench. in fact, the last year i bought tix we (our group of 4-6) had two tix on the 10th row on the 45. and 4 about 5 rows up. i've never understood this policy, frankly. let's put those wild graduate students in the best seats in the stadium at 55$ bucks a season ticket.

but, i was always happy to take advantage of it. and i don't care what anybody says--yes, CU has a lot of shitty, moronic fans....but west/mountain facing tickets at Folsom rule. Folsom Field is awesome.

Terry in Crapchester · Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:21 pm

Killian wrote:People have said that if you donate $1000 to the Sorin Society, you pretty much are guaranteed tickets to every game. That's for alumni and non-alumni.

Never heard that before, although I'm not questioning it. I'm guessing that's $1,000 per year, though, given that as an alum, you have to donate at least $100 per year just to get into the lottery.

MuchoBulls · Post by **MuchoBulls** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:36 pm

We have 5 ticket price levels for season tickets. The 3 highest season ticket price levels involve our scholarship fund at some annual level.

Individual game ticket prices vary and are not available for sale inside of the 10 yard line.

Degenerate · Post by **Degenerate** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:37 pm

Kansas Fan: Are there tickets left? What time is the game?

Kansas Ticket Office: Yes. What time can you get here?

SunCoastSooner · Post by **SunCoastSooner** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:25 pm

Believe the Heupel wrote:If you don't donate an assload and buy seasons tickets to every sport, you're fucked.

That's pretty much OU's ticket policy.

Quit your whinning and ante up. :twisted:

SunCoastSooner · Post by **SunCoastSooner** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 11:22 pm

Believe the Heupel wrote:I donate, but season tickets are kind of a bad investment for me. ;)

I'd ride a bike to Norman if that's what it took. :P

SunCoastSooner · Post by **SunCoastSooner** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 11:43 pm

Believe the Heupel wrote:From Alaska?

Dude, I love the Sooners, and I try to go to a game every couple of years, but that's a long fuckin' way.

Can't wait until 2008 to watch them beat the fuck out of UW in Seattle. Trying to figure out leave time from the new job to go to Eugene in September and may have a work trip to Dallas lined up for 10/1-10/21.

I was just harrassing ya. I have driven all night and all morning to get to the tailgate (you know the one... mmmmmm atomic buffalo turds) 5 minutes before kickoff, say hi, and do the 100m dash to my seats. The game was followed by a nice long nap that a Norman Police officer was so kind to awake me from at 10pm in my car. I got the full drunk check and all before being allowed to attempt the drive to my mothers in OKC.

the_ouskull · Post by **the_ouskull** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 11:59 pm

OU's ticket policy?

Get to know a ticket broker... :D

the_ouskull

MiketheangrydrunkenCUfan · Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:11 am

King Crimson wrote:
at Colorado, if you are a senior or a grad student a season ticket is 55$ (used to be 35$ when i started as a MA student). you get seats in section 117 (Mike?) which is about the 40-45 yard line, lower section. i had tix for 5 years and we never were higher than row 25 behind the CU bench. in fact, the last year i bought tix we (our group of 4-6) had two tix on the 10th row on the 45. and 4 about 5 rows up. i've never understood this policy, frankly. let's put those wild graduate students in the best seats in the stadium at 55$ bucks a season ticket.

but, i was always happy to take advantage of it. and i don't care what anybody says--yes, CU has a lot of shitty, moronic fans....but west/mountain facing tickets at Folsom rule. Folsom Field is awesome.

Yeah, I think they were $35 when I was there. I don't remember getting to sit in that special section as a senior, though. The only time I ever had an assigned seat number at Folsom was for the Nebraska game in 99. Otherwise, I was in the GA student section in the south end zone.

Obviously, CU doesn't have as rabid a following as ND, OU, tOSU, unl, etc. As far as I know, being an alum doesn't give you any kind of avantage when it comes to getting tickets. You could probably walk up to the ticket office tomorrow and buy season tix for 06 in the lower section.

Basketball games at CU were great. Unless KU was in town, you could walk up 5 minutes before tip-off, flash your student ID, pay $2 for a ticket, and find a decent seat with room to strech out.

L45B · Post by **L45B** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:24 am

Shawn Marion wrote:Alumni giving the minimum get the opportunity to purchase 2 tickets to 1 home game. It is a lottery that the game you get is based on what letter your last name starts with.

I got lucky this year. My last name fell on the Texas game. I imagine I'll get stuck with Indiana & Illinois the next few seasons.

SoCalTrjn · Post by **SoCalTrjn** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:13 am

those not sitting in the student section will need to join the C&G or either sit behind the back of the end zones or buy game to game from ticket services

peter dragon · Post by **peter dragon** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:40 am

my dad worked for OSU, in the hospital, I dont beleive he has given any donations, and he didnt graduate from osu. If you are interested in OSU games, there are always tickets he is willing to part with. although the bigger games he usually goes to, or sells on Ebay. i.e. michigan, etc. but if you need duckets, let me know. I can reserver them from him.. I usually go to at least 1 game a season, and my wife takes my oldest daughter to another. any osu fans that want/need tickets let me know. seriously.

OUMO · Post by **OUMO** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:56 am

Me and my buddy have both had a pair of season tickets going on 7 years.

We don't donate but we got in BEFORE the 2000 NC.

Wanted to get them in 99, but we were not sure about this new fangled throwing offense and that Stoops guy. :wink:

Moby Dick · Post by **Moby Dick** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:15 am

OUMO wrote:Me and my buddy have both had a pair of season tickets going on 7 years.

We don't donate but we got in BEFORE the 2000 NC.

Wanted to get them in 99, but we were not sure about this new fangled throwing offense and that Stoops guy. :wink:

ahh yes..still kicking myself in the ass for not getting in on 2 with you guys...

it was 8 all together in the same row...bet we coulda gotten 10.

Harvdog · Post by **Harvdog** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 1:05 pm

I have had my season tickets for over 10 years. I used to get OU tickets and then they raised the ante. If you want OU tickets, you have to give at least $1000. I was grandfathered in because I had tickets during the Mackovic era. Good seats. I also get in the bowl ticket lottery. I didn't get tickets to this years Rose Bowl, but I did get them to the Michigan game.

Degenerate · Post by **Degenerate** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:10 pm

L45B wrote:
Shawn Marion wrote:Alumni giving the minimum get the opportunity to purchase 2 tickets to 1 home game. It is a lottery that the game you get is based on what letter your last name starts with.
I got lucky this year. My last name fell on the Texas game. I imagine I'll get stuck with Indiana & Illinois the next few seasons.

My gf is an alum (M.A. '02) and she got hooked up with two tickets to Michigan in '04 and Iowa this past year, so i have a feeling we will likewise get saddled with the Indianas of the world from now on.

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 2:30 pm

SoCalTrjn wrote:those not sitting in the student section will need to join the C&G or either sit behind the back of the end zones or buy game to game from ticket services

Wait a few years. I'm sure tickets will be easy to find again.

Sky · Post by **Sky** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:09 pm

Left Seater · Post by **Left Seater** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:49 pm

Season tickets start at $130, no donation needed. Family 4 packs of season tickets upstairs start at $280.

SunCoastSooner · Post by **SunCoastSooner** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:21 pm

Left Seater wrote:Season tickets start at $130, no donation needed. Family 4 packs of season tickets upstairs start at $280.

:cry:

Left Seater · Post by **Left Seater** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:51 pm

^^^^^^^

Don't be too sad. Texas comes in this year so we will sell an extra 5K season tickets because of that. We will have damn near 72K for the Texas game.

Our problem is our small size and our huge stadium. Most people don't know that RICE hosted a Super Bowl. But our total enrollment wouldn't even fill one section of the stadium.

Sky · Post by **Sky** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:15 pm

Rice has a football team?????

I thought that was why you ref'd, to get your fix.

Terry in Crapchester · Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:59 pm

Left Seater wrote:^^^^^^^

Don't be too sad. Texas comes in this year so we will sell an extra 5K season tickets because of that. We will have damn near 72K for the Texas game.

Our problem is our small size and our huge stadium. Most people don't know that RICE hosted a Super Bowl. But our total enrollment wouldn't even fill one section of the stadium.

ND's total enrollment is only 1/8 to 1/10 of stadium capacity. But you also have a lot of alumni who badly want tickets and are willing to pony up to get them, so that gives us a different situation from Rice.

Left Seater · Post by **Left Seater** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:54 pm

^^^^^^

You also have many more alums living in the general area. RICE has the largest number of its alumns in the San Jose/SF/Oakland area, followed by NY city. Surprisingly the number of living alums in Houston totals less than 10K.

Then there is a little thing called religion. ND has a huge following among Catholics across the whole country. RICE can't ever hope to have that kind of following.

Terry in Crapchester · Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:11 pm

Left Seater wrote:^^^^^^

You also have many more alums living in the general area.

Only about 10% of ND alums live in Indiana (and that's probably a generous estimate). The largest single enclave of ND alumni, of course, is in Chicago, which is relatively close to ND. But ND alums are spread out throughout the country, and if you limited yourself to, say, a 200-mile radius from ND's campus, you'd find that a minority of ND alums live in that area.

Largest populations of ND alums, by state:

1. Illinois
2. Indiana
3. California
4. New York
5. New Jersey

SoCalTrjn · Post by **SoCalTrjn** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 5:24 am

Rice doesnt have generations of brainwashed Cat Licks and are also not the Big team in state

Terry in Crapchester · Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:52 am

Killian wrote:
SoCalTrjn wrote:those not sitting in the student section will need to join the C&G or either sit behind the back of the end zones or buy game to game from ticket services
Wait a few years. I'm sure tickets will be easy to find again.

I lived in SoCal for a few years in the early 90's, and was at the '90 ND-SC game. I believe that game was a sellout. The Raiduhs and the Lambs never could sell out the Mausoleum, but USC could, at least for UCLA or ND (although admittedly, about half of the fans would be rooting for the other team in those games).

Keep in mind, that was hardly the glory phase of USC football that we're talking about.

Left Seater · Post by **Left Seater** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 4:40 pm

Terry,

Don't forget that ND is more than twice as large as RICE. We would love to have more alumns in the area, but if we break it down my state like you did, Texas comes in third.