Kick habit of overspending

Tuesday, February 9, 1999

Kick habit of overspending

TICKETS: Expensive tickets hinder purchasing process, game
attendance

By Jennifer Drane

Prior to Christmas break, I purchased a student ticket for the
Rose Bowl for the high price of $115.

Like many Bruin fans, I did not have season tickets. A friend
using her season ticket status purchased a ticket for me.

Shortly after submitting the necessary application and paying
the fee, ticket purchases were available to students who did not
have season ticket status without their undergoing the complicated
and tedious application process. Students who want to attend a
football game should be able to do so at a reasonable price.

After going through the long, drawn-out process during finals
week, I was upset to find that tickets were readily available to
purchase at a lower price, $110!

The athletic department continually complains about low
attendance at post-season games. Likewise, the Los Angeles Times
and several other newspapers continually blast Bruin fans for a
lack of spirit and support. I don’t think it is for lack of support
or interest, but rather the procedure adopted by the Central Ticket
Office.

Simply put: it is more trouble than it is worth.

The current procedure for ticket sales deters even the most
loyal of fans with its scheduled pick-up times and strict
distribution policy. The CTO is responsible for the "sea of red"
and lack of blue seen at this year’s Rose Bowl.

A student with season tickets not planning to attend the game
should be allowed to let a friend go in his or her place.
Similarly, students wishing to purchase tickets for friends or
family should be allowed to do so. Yet both practices were
forbidden.

While in attendance at this year’s Rose Bowl, I noticed that the
bulk of Wisconsin fans were students accompanied by their friends
and families. UCLA’s ticket policy seems even more ludicrous
considering the CTO sold back over 5,000 tickets several days prior
to Jan. 1.

The post-season ticket process prevented fans from participating
in what should have been a Rose Bowl victory. Instead, UCLA was
embarrassed on its home turf. We could not muster up enough support
to compete with traveling Wisconsin fans. The Central Ticket Office
and Athletic Department need to take swift action to prevent such
disappointment in the future.

University officials should not forget that we are students and
often cannot afford high ticket prices. In the future, students
should be offered tickets at a reasonable, discounted price,
regardless of season ticket status.

This might alleviate the poor post-season attendance. After all,
it’s our football team, and we do go to school here.

Ticket sales and prices receive much criticism, but the sale of
post season-tickets is an issue which needs to be addressed. Thank
you for your time and consideration. Go Bruins!

Comments, feedback, problems?

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