Sid: An effort is being made to cut down the number of tickets reserved for students.

[BleedGopher]

per Sid:

• Under University of Minnesota rules, according to Gophers associate athletic director David Benedict, the athletic department must reserve 10,000 student football tickets for every game. That means selling out TCF Bank Stadium is difficult with the lack of student interest in Gophers football, so an effort is being made to cut down the number of tickets reserved for students.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/230140641.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue

Go Gophers!!

 

[IDFM]

Wasn't that number set by the legislature.

 

[WindyCityGopher]

I'm all for making tickets available for students, but if they're consistently not using them then bring the number down so they can put butts in the seats. The scarcity may make them more attractive and drive up interest.

 

[station19]

About time. They can always increase the number again if the need arises.

 

[kellyleeks]

This is a good move. I'd like to see these tickets sold for $15 a week or two before game day.

 

[GopherVotary]

Selling those seats to Wisconsin/Nebraska/Iowa fans is more profitable anyway.

 

[RailBaronYarr]

Ugh. As pointed out in other thread, maybe the U should evaluate what % of other seats are being sold and actually attended.

 

[SelectionSunday]

About time. They can always increase the number again if the need arises.

Exactly.

 

[Gold Vision]

Ugh. As pointed out in other thread, maybe the U should evaluate what % of other seats are being sold and actually attended.

Why?

 

[Iceland12]

Why?

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

About time. They can always increase the number again if the need arises.

I'm ok with a reduction so long as the do increase the numbers when student demand rises. We have talked quite a bit about the difference between college and pro sports in discussions about whether athletes should be paid and the right to publicity, but I think another feature of the college sport should be that the students are the most important fans. Especially in today's world of higher education, with astronomical tuition and the debt load they take on, the undergrads really should be able to attend if they want to and are willing to pay the student ticket cost. I know that student support the last few years hasn't been great (how many student sections are when even the seniors have yet to have seen a conference winning percentage above 25%?), but tomorrow's students shouldn't suffer because of today's lack of support.

 

[Maverick]

There isn't a better way to increase demand than decreasing availability.....

 

[MrGopher]

I could be wrong, but the 10,000 was negotiated into the deal by the student governing body at the time when student stadium fees were being decided. I am not sure if students today still pay a stadium fee every semester like I did when I was still in school.