Ticket prices on the decline

By JOHN SCOTT
Collegian Staff Writer

Student ticket prices are NOT on the rise.

Despite numerous student complaints about rising prices, Penn State football and men's and women's basketball individual ticket prices remain low in price in comparison to other Big Ten schools. According to Athletic Ticket Director Bud Meredith, there has not been a substantial rise in prices for student ticket packages, in fact, in the case of men's basketball, there was actually a decrease in price for the 1998-1999 season.

Last year, men's basketball student ticket packages were $55. In 1997-1998, packages were $72. Meredith said the decrease was aimed at getting more students to come to games and to adjust to the 11-game package rather than the 12-game package sold for the 1997-1998 season.

"I'm happy that they decreased the price of the men's basketball and improved the non-conference schedule," said Chris Policicchio (senior electrical engineering), who bought men's basketball season tickets for this past season. "But I'm still mad that they moved the students to those lousy seats in the corners of the arena. Get the alumni out of the center-court seats."

Plans are currently in the works to move students back to the center-court seats that they last occupied during the 1995-1996 season.

As for women's basketball prices, they remain at $2 for individual games, and no season packages are currently offered. Tickets for both teams can be purchased during the season on game day or in advance through the Athletic Ticket Office.

"I think women's basketball is the biggest bargain of all the sporting events on campus," Jenn Coffey (senior-psychology) said. "You're not obligated to commit for the entire season and the games are usually very competitive."

Football remains to be the most expensive student ticket package with six passes for the past season costing $90. That is a $1-per-game increase from the 1997 season.

"There is no way that we as students should complain about the prices for our football tickets," Cary Kane (senior-electrical engineering) said. "The seats are great and the prices are a lot cheaper than the Nittany Lion Club and alumni seats."

Last year, a non-student ticket cost $30, a $2 increase from the 1997 season.

Meredith expects a dollar raise for student football tickets this upcoming season, and advises students to send in applications immediately when they receive them this summer. The team is expected to compete for the Big Ten and National Championships after last season's 9-3 record. The return of 17 starters, including Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year LaVar Arrington, along with a schedule that includes rivals Michigan and Ohio State, should increase demand for tickets.

Students can get a peak of the team at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24 in the annual Blue-White Game at Beaver Stadium. There is no admission fee.