Students now can buy single football tickets

Submitted by bdsisme on

In the ongoing effort to fill the stadium, students received the following email this afternoon:

 

This season, we are offering students the ability to purchase a limited number of single-game tickets for the 2014 season. Student Football Season Ticket Holders had priority access last week and can continue to take advantage of this offer.
Michigan vs. Appalachian State single-game tickets will be $20 each, while single-game tickets for the remaining five games will be $40 each (Penn State sold out during last week's Student Season Ticket Holder priority window) . All seats have an assigned location and will be located in the student section behind current Student Season Ticket Holders. Validation fees will be waived for single-game tickets purchased.

johnvand

August 8th, 2014 at 4:14 PM ^

You know there will be some number fudging and other efforts to get those tickets into people's hands.

Hell, when the Suites first opened they had trouble selling them all so they loaned/rented them out to University departments.

I imagine an all-staff email going out soon about cheap tickets.

Raoul

August 8th, 2014 at 4:27 PM ^

Just to clarify, Bacon's exact words were that they are "20,000 seats short of a sellout." If a sellout is considered 109,901, then they're only a little over 10,000 seats short of 100,000. (This is all assuming that Bacon's 20,000 figure is correct.)

They'll find enough ways to get the sold tickets over 100,000, which will keep the streak alive.

Real Tackles Wear 77

August 8th, 2014 at 4:30 PM ^

John U Bacon has also been on a crusade to smear the athletic department ever since they revoked his press pass. And it pains me to say this as an admirer of much of his work, but he has lost most of his credibility since he's been doing so. The guy hates Dave Brandon so goes on radio, twitter, writes a book etc just smearing the whole department. His take on how many football tickets will go unsold is the furthest thing from the truth

Maize and Blue…

August 8th, 2014 at 5:21 PM ^

you mean basically telling the truth or giving a reasoned opinion about what is going on then you're right.  When did he right a book smearing the whole department? I love Michigan athletics but there is no way I would pay $70 to see App State.

Lets face it DB has done a lot of things wrong during his tenure and personally I can't wait until he is gone.  But if you have a problem with Bacon  maybe it is because you can't handle the truth.

Real Tackles Wear 77

August 8th, 2014 at 5:36 PM ^

You can believe whatever you want to believe, especially Bacon stating (unprompted) that his attitude towards the AD has nothing to do with his level of access being taken away. However, I have been paying close attention to him for years (as, prior to him becoming more anti-Brandon than pro-Michigan I enjoyed his work, as I stated above) and it is very clear that he is looking for revenge and he has only a very slight relationship with "the truth". It's a very unprofessional tact for someone who had built up such integrity over the years. Follow his twitter, half the comments are passive-agressive digs at Brandon, and in his most recent book 4th and Long, the Michigan chapters are much of the same. Contrast that with the attitudes expressed in 3 and Out, his RR-era book and you will see. And since you admit that you want to see Dave fail/be fired/whatever, you are clearly the audience JUB is going after. So let's just agree to disagree.

Maize and Blue…

August 9th, 2014 at 5:46 PM ^

I had non renewable season tickets for two years before DB took over.  He sees three big dollar games and decides to sell ticket packs.  Do I get any consideration to buy packs for having 4 season tickets? Hell no.  Constant money grabs including "dynamic pricing leading to the $550 football ticket, eliminating the wait list for the $500 interest list, student tickets the highest in the BIG, PSL's for basketball, and using the holiest of ground for weddings and proms. Trying to create a "mini super bowl" when that is not what Michigan football is about. Pissing off the students. Floating the idea of a mascot (something politicians do to see the response). No unopened water bottles.

When the offer for the reduced donation season tickets somehow they forgot to get the offer out to me despite having the non renewable season tickets previously.  At least they apologized for that, but I had already bought the PSU game tickets through the Alumni Association.  

We will clearly disagree because you apparently like DB and my experience with his decisions and what is going on in his department have left a bad taste in my mouth and indicate that he has no problem pissing students and alumni alike.  So yes, the day he is gone will be an extremely happy day forme because I think he is a tool.

gjking

August 8th, 2014 at 3:21 PM ^

"Validation fees will be waived for single-game tickets purchased."

So this means that students can buy them and immediately re-sell on stubhub to anyone? Will any of these games go for more than $40 on stubhub?

814 East U

August 8th, 2014 at 3:23 PM ^

This is mind blowing for someone who was a student not too long ago. This was unimaginable. I really can't blame the students either (schedule and $300). 

Franz Schubert

August 8th, 2014 at 3:25 PM ^

Michigan has possibly the most unattractive home schedule in school history and the most expensive student tickets in the conference. That's not spin, it's a fact.

pearlw

August 8th, 2014 at 3:55 PM ^

Correct. Coming into this year's ticket sales, the AD had two options this year knowing that next year home schedule is great.
1) Lower price to reflect bad home schedule this yr. Then have to raise it by alot to get back to regular price plus any usual ticket inflation next year. This raised the risk of a huge increase as any decrease this year would have to be reversed. The reversal would be necessary as current programs/infrastructure are based on the higher level of ticket prices. Regardless of how good 2015 schedule would be, they would hear lots of complaining because of such a large increase.
or
2) Keep price the same this year despite poor schedule. This would require alot of effort/promotions to sell extra tickets with possibility that there will be a decent amount unsold no matter how much effort is put in. But at least with this option you wont have to reverse the price decrease.

Not an easy call but they went with 2. Its a judgment call so hard to say which one is right. If season doesnt go that well, scenario #1 could be disaster if you try to push large increase through despite poor season.

gjking

August 8th, 2014 at 3:27 PM ^

For the cost of a regular season student ticket at $295, instead you can now get the same thing but with 0 validation cost, take your whole family, uncle, etc. 

$295 ~  $20 + $40*5 + cost of PSU game on stubhub

Bb011

August 8th, 2014 at 3:28 PM ^

There are 2 main reasons why students are not buying tickets (at least people that I know). 1) One of the main reasons that I have heard is that many students who don't follow football extremely closely still think it is general admission. I can't tell you how many people have said "Oh I didn't buy tickets this year because of general admission". To which you have to tell them that they changed it back. 2) Another reason ( a bigger reason) is that the schedule this year sucks. Most people think  "Why would I buy a whole season, when I could buy 1 ticket to the only game I want to go to: Penn State". Not to mention the season tickets are expensive for such a shitty schedule.

 

You hear people complain that our team hasn't been good lately, but that is not one of the main reasons that people haven't bought tickets (look at the Rich Rod Years). Dave Brandon really needs to change some things in order to get students back into the game, because they are a huge part of Michigan football.

pearlw

August 8th, 2014 at 3:47 PM ^

I agree with you on point 1. Every time I read an article about student tickets, there are plenty complaining about general admission. That has been solved - the AD worked with student government - move on.

If price is really the issue, there you go - chances to buy a ticket for $20. Its not the greatest opponent but hard to complain about $20 on labor day weekend to watch a Michigan game.

Bb011

August 9th, 2014 at 12:15 AM ^

But point 2 isn't just price. It is the fact that the games on our home schedule this year suck in addition to the fact that the tickets are expensive. Even a diehard michigan fan like me debated not buying season tickets since I could buy a single ticket from a friend or someone else to every single home game this year and come out way below what I actually paid for season tickets through the university.

Avon Barksdale

August 8th, 2014 at 3:50 PM ^

If there is not 100k+ in the stadium every game, I will be pretty ticked off. STUDENTS: there is NO reason not to go to the games now. You have CHEAP tickets. $20 is reasonable. $40 for a Big Ten football game at the Big House - wow.

But why go to a football game and support a football team that desperatly needs to win this year when we can sit on a blog and talk about how tickets are just tooooooooo expensive. If I was in Michigan, I'd be so ashamed if the 100k mark is broken this year.

I'm coming up three times from TN: Miami (NTM), Penn State, and Maryland. I CAN'T WAIT to see The Michigan Wolverines play football in person. Don't take it for granted, students and Michiganders. There will come a day when you are too old, too far away, too far gone and you will wish you took advantage of every game that was played in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

I know I sure do.

ReegsShannon

August 8th, 2014 at 4:08 PM ^

They didn't cost $20 for students... They cost $20 for student's friends months after they got the chance to buy season tickets. Instead, they cost $42 dollars per ticket to see one team that finished in the top 50 of the Sagarin rankings last year. That team? Utah. The tickets are a ripoff and Michigan has the most or 2nd most expensive student tickets in the country for one of the worst home schedules among P5 schools.

I bought them because I'm a hardcore football fan and will watch no matter what. But I was pissed when I heard that ticket prices weren't gonna be dropping. Completely reasonable to skip out.

rob6reid

August 8th, 2014 at 4:08 PM ^

Yeah because if there arent 100k people there, surely the students and ONLY the students are to blame. Get mad students not wanting to spend $300 on the worst schedule in years. And I gaurentee you most of the casuals that arent buying season tickets are not going to hear about the single game tickets availible becuase they've already checked out assuming they werent going to go. The people that hear about these deals are the people who get the emails from the athletic department, are on this blog, ect. who are already going. When you're a broke college student thats only a casual fan $40/ game isnt that great of a deal. Thats more than almost any other school in the country, certainly more than any other B1G school.

m goblue

August 8th, 2014 at 5:36 PM ^

The home schedule sucks.  The tickets are too expensive and I have more fun getting a better view for cheaper on my couch.  And I will not be ashamed if the 100k+ streak is broken.  Dave Brandon and Michigan football keep raising prices and putting out worse and worse teams.  This seating debacle falls squarely on their shoulders and they should feel ashamed at how they've managed to alienate one of the largest and most loyal fanbase in all of sports.  

jaydubya

August 8th, 2014 at 3:55 PM ^

That no one wants our attendance streak of 100,000+ to end, nor do we want UM to be the posterchild for struggling ticket sales and dwindling fan enthusiasm.  

Most of us share the opinion that the Athletic Department is primarily to blame for this situation.  But regardless, I would love to see more students (and alums) go to the games and take the stance that they're going to support the team, in spite of the Athletic Department's money-grabbing antics.

Ultimately, if attendance is poor, *everyone* involved with the program suffers.

814 East U

August 8th, 2014 at 4:19 PM ^

I think fans and alums have had that stance forever...and now it has just gone too far. When loyal fans who pay their season tickets, licensing fees etc. on time get nothing and others who who wait or are late get money off/PSD waived the loyal fans start thinking "WTF!?!" Add the schedule in and the overall price gauging and it is a recipe for disaster.

I have brought this point up in various threads. Fans are asked to pay NFL prices to not watch Tom Brady, Calvin Johnson, or Aaron Rodgers, but to see the walk on from Miami (NTM) and the QB from App State. 

I will always love college football, but there comes a point where the average fan realizes the TV at-home experience is a better option and the prices and 2014 home schedule have tipped the scales in favor of the 60 inch flat screen in my air conditioned basement. 

The argument that "Michigan fans will always find a way to AA or I would give anything to go to a game blah bla blah..." That is not real life. People have different cost-benefit scales. Not all fans and alums are Wolverine Devotee. The special connection of being a Michigan season ticket holder has quickly turned into a not so special Michigan Athletic Department customer.

jmblue

August 8th, 2014 at 6:20 PM ^

There are valid points made by people who didn't renew (or buy for the first time) - the cost, poor schedule, etc.  But still . . . the chance to see Michigan in person is pretty awesome.  I've known people over the years who passed up tickets for whatever reason and ended up kicking themselves when we played a classic game and they were watching on TV.  OTOH, I've had to drag various friends/family to games over the years when they were feeling lazy and they've always been happy I made them go once they're actually there.

For students, especially, you don't want to miss out on this kind of experience.  You don't want to be telling your kids down the road that you didn't actually go to games when you were in school and missed out on that great game.  The prices for these games aren't too bad.  Maybe they're not epic matchups, but still, it's a chance to watch your own school in action - you only get seven chances all year to do that.

 

814 East U

August 8th, 2014 at 9:17 PM ^

I agree 100%. However, maybe a lot of people (even students) are like me. I went to almost every Michigan home game since I was 6 years old. As a student, I went to every game. Now, missing some games (or the entire season) isn't as big of a deal to me as others. 

Doc Brown

August 8th, 2014 at 11:35 PM ^

Agree. However, there comes to. Point where putting food on the table and paying the mortgage is more important than a football game. Unfortunately, Brandon has priced many middle class families like my own out with his dynamic pricing scam. I am happy with every promotion that is announced. It shows Brandon's bosses, the regents, that his policies and direction are not working. Hopefully, it will force him to actually lower season ticket prices.

GoBLUinTX

August 8th, 2014 at 4:24 PM ^

 

That no one wants our attendance streak of 100,000+ to end, nor do we want UM to be the posterchild for struggling ticket sales and dwindling fan enthusiasm.


Rather I think it safe to say there are plenty of people that are very hopeful that the streak ends as an affirmation of their Brandon Hate. Never mind that across the conference schools like Nebraska, Ohio State, and Penn State are also having to sell single game and discounted student tickets.

 

jaydubya

August 8th, 2014 at 4:31 PM ^

Yep, I agree that many people share that point of view, and they want to stick it to Brandon by not attending the games. But at the same time, what does that accomplish? If we dip below 100,000+ at any point this season, everyone loses, because it will reflect awfully on us as the fanbase, regardless of the Athletic Dept. being to blame.

pearlw

August 8th, 2014 at 6:35 PM ^

I definitely agree with you on this point. We've seen it this entire offseason as a portion of fans seem to react with glee every time a new ticket promotion is announced that possibly could mean ticket sales going poorly.

At kickoff at the App St game, I fully expect social media to have more photos of the stands than the field as people try to point out areas that arent filled in the stadium.

Maize and Blue…

August 8th, 2014 at 4:38 PM ^

but taking care of my family comes first.  If I can't support the team in person because the AD has priced me out of the market then I'll be screaming my head off in front of my TV.

The AD installed the scam of "dynamic pricing" last year to rape and pillage the fan base.  He hasn't put "dudnamic pricing" in place this year because of this horrific home slate.  What type of idiot would reschedule App State?