Students looking for football tickets reported less stress than ever this year.
Last week, students who opted in for tickets several weeks before were able to purchase home football tickets for the 2011 season.
After opting in, days were assigned based on credit hours, with each day having a number of available packages. Each day had its own supply of tickets, which allowed students of all levels to have a chance for tickets.
April 22 was the last day to purchase tickets and students who were not able to purchase tickets are now waitlisted.
Grant Venable, a senior majoring in electrical engineering, said this is his fifth attempt to order student tickets. Venable said this year’s system worked the best of his collegiate career.
“When it was my freshman year and I lived in Paty, I remember I got into the ticket ordering browser thing and as long as you don’t log out, you can buy tickets for everyone,” Venable said. “Since everyone knew this, people abused that and made it impossible for everyone to get on because people were ordering tickets for their friends.”
Venable said he feels he’s not the only student who is happy with this year’s system.
“Before these past two years, everyone I knew complained about not getting tickets, even though they got up like 45 minutes before ordering time,” Venable said. “Now it’s just one mouse click and you’re done and it seems like no one is complaining.”
Venable said the new system was as perfect as it could be, but wondered about the $6 fee.
“That’s new I think and they don’t really explain what it is,” Venable said. “They just know people want tickets so they can throw charges in there if they want to, but it’s still not expensive so I can’t really complain.”
Travis Skelton, a junior majoring in marketing, has also tried for tickets every fall and agreed with Venable.
“In past years, I have waited online for 20 to 30 minutes, sweating it out wondering whether I would get through or not,” Skelton said.
This year is entirely different for Skelton.
“This year was without a question the easiest it has been,” Skelton said. “I love the format they use now. If I could say anything, I would say, ‘Job well done.’”
This year’s system, an improvement according to many, was work for the University.
Molly Lawrence, associate vice president for student affairs, said the Student Government Association has been working hard to improve the process.
“The SGA has continuously solicited input from the student body concerning the student football process,” Lawrence said. “For example, students indicated a preference for the ticket order process to be conducted during the school year rather than after the conclusion of spring semester.
“The [Student Government Association], working with all of the University departments who collaborate collectively to conduct the process, was successful in having the process implemented during the spring semester.”
Lawrence said from her perspective, this year’s process has gone well.
“Any time you have demand exceed supply there will be some individuals who are disappointed,” Lawrence said. “I have not heard any comments about the process not being perceived as fair.”
Seth Morrow, SGA communications director, also described the system as successful.
“The opting in process and allocation procedure really help to minimize the stress on the websites, which in turn has led to almost no technical problems,” Morrow said. “We appreciate the ticket office and the athletic department for working with us to create a ticket sale process that is efficient and effective.”
Morrow said students who weren’t able to purchase tickets last week should still try the donation program.
“It is important to remember to take part in the ticket request and donation program on the My Football Ticket tab,” Morrow said. “The donation program has been highly successful and almost all students who request a donated ticket receive one.”
As for incoming freshmen, Morrow said the plan is still being worked out.
“The final details for the freshman sale has not be finalized at this point,” Morrow said. “We do know that the sale will be the same in principle from years past. Freshman will buy tickets in June and will be able to choose from partial season packages.”
Morrow said the SGA’s vision for freshmen is inclusion.
“The goal is for as many freshman as possible to attend football games in the fall,” Morrow said.
