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New season-ticket policies to take root at Penn State
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Phase one of Penn State's controversial new season-ticket plan, which takes affect in 2011, has come to a close.
Nittany Lion Club members planning to transfer all or a portion of their tickets had to have their completed applications postmarked and paid by June 30.
Greg Myford, Penn State's associate athletic director for marketing and communications, said late Thursday afternoon that the school had received requests from approximately 1,500 accounts.
A typical account consists of four tickets, putting the initial estimate at 6,000 for the number of tickets that will change hands.
"We've received more applications in the last week than we have in the entire time the transfers have been available since mid-November," Myford said. "Most people waited until the last second to send in their request, which is kind of what we all tend to do."
Under the 2011 Seat Transfer and Equity Plan, which reportedly could generate as much as $24 million annually for Penn State, booster-club members were given an opportunity to transfer their tickets for a one-time donation ranging from $500 to $2,000 per seat in one of the four new pricing zones.
The next deadline will be Sept. 1. That's when all season-ticket holders will be required to declare their intentions for next season.
"By early September, we will know what seats are open, how many people want to upgrade their seats and how many want to downgrade," said Myford, who already has conducted two online question-and-answer chats with fans and has another planned for later this summer.
The new pricing guideline begins with a $100 contribution per year for each ticket, for seating primarily around the end zones. There are $400 and $600 seats from the 10-yard lines to the 50. For a much smaller section at midfield, there is a $2,000 charge for seats with backs.
A fan with four seats near midfield who previously had been paying $400 in Nittany Lion Club dues will now see that price jump to $2,400.
Season ticket-holders who do not pay the new charge could have their seats moved. Student tickets will not require an annual fee. The athletic department has said the $55 price of a ticket will not change.
Tom Noffsker of Zion, Pa., a season ticket-holder for 35 years, was so upset with the 2011 seating proposal that he decided not to renew his tickets this season.
"I was going to have to pay $1,200 just to buy tickets [in 2011] and then another $800 for my tickets," Noffsker said. "That was just too much money.
"The non-conference schedule is extremely disappointing this year, but I would have kept my tickets had this new plan not been put in place."
Steve Wager of State College, among a group that has eight season tickets in the end zone, likes the new ticket plan.
"I know some people who have had their tickets for 30 years and have only given $100 a year are not happy," Wager said. "But I think it's awesome to be able to give a bigger donation to get better seats.
"There are a lot of marquee home games in 2011, such as Alabama, Ohio State, Iowa and Wisconsin. And it could be coach [Joe] Paterno's last year. I think it's a good deal."
First Published July 2, 2010 12:27 am
