The Ball State University's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is already counting down the days to the first football game of the season against the University of North Texas.
In only 80 days, the Cardinals will take the field for the start of the 2009 football campaign to what many expect to be a large, rowdy crowd. That is, if ticket sales go the way director of ticket operations Rob Richards is hoping.
"Sales have been pretty good," Richards said. "I'd say they are ahead of where they were last year. There are still a few procrastinators though."
Richards said about 4,000 season tickets were sold for last year and expects more than that for the upcoming season. Part of the increase, Richards said, is a credit to the team going 12-0 in the regular season and an exciting buzz for the team to be just as successful this year.
"There aren't many programs in the country coming off a 12-0 regular season from last year," Richards said. "The crowds and atmosphere from last year was a lot of fun. We're hoping to build upon that."
The office of marketing and promotions within the Athletics Department began promoting the team earlier than in years past, utilizing billboards and mailings and will be using print and television as well to promote Ball State football.
Last season's efforts may not be the only factor in the increase in sales. The lagging economy could be helping tickets.
"I think people are always going to say there's a problem with the economy," Richards said. "But with the options you have out there and ways to spend the money, it's such an affordable option; I hope it attracts more people."
Currently a ticket to an Indianapolis Colts game runs between $44 and $129 for a single ticket. Include parking, concessions and a giant foam finger, and that can quickly no longer look like an affordable option for many. Ball State's comparatively lower prices - $96 for season tickets - can make attending a game at Schuemann Stadium much more feasible for many families, Richards said.
"I think with the pricing being more affordable and with the family fun environment, I hope people look at this as an opportunity to take the family out," Richards said. "You really can't find a more affordable ticket."
Ticket prices did rise for the upcoming season, but Richards said it is inevitable. Athletics director Tom Collins, Richards, director of ticket sales Adam Tschuor and Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs Matt Wolfert meet in early spring to come up with the prices for the upcoming season. Richards said the economy plays a part, but it is hard to determine where the economy will be up to six months from the time they set the prices. They also take demand into consideration. Scheumann Stadium's maximum capacity is 25,400 and last year averaged 19,201, with 23,861 attending the final game of the season against Western Michigan University on Fruesday. Richardson also said inflation plays a part in determining ticket prices.
"We've done as much as we can to keep it as affordable as possible," Richards said. "If you did a comparison, we are about the middle of the road in the MAC," Richards said. "We're also a lot cheaper than IU or Purdue."
When stacked up against the other twelve MAC football teams, Ball State has the ninth cheapest season ticket price for the upcoming season at $96. Defending MAC champions, the University at Buffalo have the highest season ticket price at $156, while Eastern Michigan University is only charging $45 for their season tickets.Richards said in the coming weeks, he, Collins, Tschuor and Wolfert will all be meeting again to determine ticket prices for men's and women's basketball this season. The women's team won the MAC West, went on to win the MAC tournament and defeated the defending nation champion University of Tennessee in the first round of the NCAA tourney. The men's team also won the MAC West but came up short, losing in the semifinals of the MAC tournament. Muncie Central High School standout Jauwan Scaife, cousin of former Ball State star Bonzi Wells, will join the team in the fall. Richards said he expects there to be a lot of buzz for both teams, which will help ticket sales.
"I think all of our success, all of the MAC West titles we won last season," Richards said. "I think all of that is helping all of our sports across the board. Anytime you can generate positive publicity, I think it affects everything. I think it was a snowball effect last year from football carrying into basketball and anything like that is going to help for sure."
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