The University of Tennessee is unveiling a new online student ticket purchasing process this football season, with home game tickets and vouchers for road game tickets being purchased and printed out by students on computers.
Football tickets can only be purchased on a game-by-game basis, as season tickets are not available on the online system.
J.J. Brown, UT's associate dean of students, said Wednesday that's one factor that might be viewed as a drawback. But overall Brown said the school got what it was looking for when it asked for bids in the spring before selecting Ticket Return, a company based in Charlotte, N.C.
"Logistically, we wanted to utilize an existing software that was set up for tickets specifically,'' Brown said. "South Carolina was among many schools that utilized Ticket Return last season.''
The prices of the student tickets for home games will be $10 for games with the Gamecocks, Western Kentucky, Ohio, Vanderbilt and Memphis and $20 for the home dates with UCLA, Auburn and Georgia.
Student seating at home games range from Neyland Stadium's Section D-J (lower level 45-yard line to Southeast corner of end zone) and BB-FF (upper deck, North 20-yard line to South goal line).
A priority "loyalty points'' system will be put in place, with UT students accruing loyalty points by their attendance at home games. The loyalty points will be used to weight a lottery system whereby ticket availability and seating is determined.
"This gives us the opportunity to have a variety of students come all year long while at the same time rewarding those who come on a consistent basis, the die-hard fans,'' Brown said. "Last year a lot of students bought season tickets, and then some didn't come to all of the games and we had some empty seats.''
The tickets will be printed out by the purchaser with user-specific information: student name, event, date, seat and a barcode.
Students will enter Neyland Stadium on game day at Gates 4 and 23. The tickets will not be transferable.
The ticket purchasing system for road games is much the same, only instead of a ticket, students will print out a voucher with the same user-specific information.
Students will then take the voucher to the central ticket office located on the first floor of the University Center to pick up the tickets. Seating assignments at the road games will vary.
Since this is the first year the system is in place, there will be an "initial load'' of loyalty points assigned to students based on the number of credit hours they have completed at UT.
Students will have the same allocation of tickets for home games - 13,500 - as last season, Brown said.
Last year was the first time UT students had to pay for their student tickets. At the time, the UT athletic department said the reasoning behind it was an anticipated athletic department shortfall of more than $3.15 million.
Students paid $90 for season tickets last season and $15 per home game in addition to their $250 program and services fee. This year the UT student program and services fee is $300.
Group seating is also available with the new system.
"When you talk about the process and the rationale, folks understand it,'' Brown said. "We'll evaluate it after the season and see how we'll improve.''
For more information or to purchase tickets, go to BigOrangeTix@utk.edu.
Mike Griffith may be reached at 865-3426289.
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Comments » 63
FWBVol writes:
I hate the students have to pay for home tickets. It seems like UT, and some of the other SEC schools, could take part of the big TV money and give the kids a break.
I know how hard it would have been for me to go to as many games as I did when I was a student if they had charged for tickets. Tuition is soaring and students continue to get the shaft.
TSNSD4UT writes:
As the father of a UT student I think them having to pay is a load of bull, tuition goes up every year cut the students a break,hell the school already charges for every little thing cut some slack UT.
volsenior22 writes:
as a student, I do not mind about paying for the tickets...no problem. But this new process is obsurd. It makes zero sense, it is complicated and drawn out. It's a 3 step process to get a ticket that may be in the upper deck if I don't go to all the games! I am a senior and have seen the different options for the tickets...last year was fine, the years before that were great. This is just bad!
vols14 writes:
This new system blows. I don't even mind paying for tickets as long as I am guaranteed a seat to each game. Oh well, at least the school is giving "points" for seniority
ArealVolFan writes:
As a guy that just graduated in May, I absolutely hate this for the students. The tickets should still be free. Students are the life blood of UT football games. By far the loudest section. Charging $90 last year was terrible, but this new system is even worse. Its now $110 to go to every game and I know its hard for students to be able to afford that. I hope UT realizes how bad this is going to be for the students and changes this in future years.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Yea, this really sucks. Bad move. Hopefully the buyouts, signing bonuses, and construction costs are nearly behind us. If the coaches can deliver a better product on the field, they're bound to have an easier time filling the other 90,000 seats.
30 days until football time in Tennessee!!!
volsenior22 writes:
its not points for seniortiy. You get more points the more games you go to. For the first game it starts by points and seniors start with more. But after that, it is whoever goes to the most games gets the best seats.
ladyvolsbballluver writes:
I love UT but they are rip offs. I mean come on. Students should get in free! I mean good gosh!
BillsBrother writes:
The BIG ORANGE SCREW is back!
MemphisVol1485 writes:
I'm not even a student and feel that is bull. Let the kids in free and don't check them for whiskey either:) Get them rowdy so we get our homefield back!!!!
IamScaredOfTrees writes:
I am a student, and I also feel this is bull. They pretty much raised the price and made it more difficult to get tickets. Not to mention, the whole 'loyalty points' thing is going to be terribly confusing with group seats. Heck, if we play like last year, they should pay me. Atleast for the Western Kentucky game.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
I like to watch football.
ALL_VOL75 writes:
Kiffin should step in on this JMO
NoogaVol55 writes:
I will start by saying that it is a raw deal that students have to pay.....but now that you are a graduate, wait and see what you have to pay for a ticket now! It ain't getting any better.
NoogaVol55 writes:
I would rather him worry about winning football games...JMO
GreerVol22 writes:
Tix should be free, and dished out game by game, first come first serve like the good old days. If you want to go, and get the best seats, get you azz up and get to the ticket office when it opens.....These are future season ticket holders and the more loyalty you build now, the more they will spend later. Some of these marketing and accounting idiots at UT amaze me with the BS on shortfalls and how to overcome them. Its doubtful they graduated from UT or they would know better....now you know how I feel.
Jack_says writes:
Thumb up!!
blahblahblahman2003#221344 writes:
Actually, you weren't guaranteed the best seats by getting there early. I had a friend who was one of the first in line for Florida or Georgia game a couple years ago and got stuck 30 rows back in the upper deck.
smokymtman writes:
Welcome to hard times, students. You're now realizing that nothing in life is FREE.
IndianOutlaw writes:
Nothing is free, If you don't like it stay home and watch it on TV or transfer to ETSU and go to their football games. Opps forgot they had to drop football because of the cost. Our AD is self supporting so if you want to watch from the stands you should pay. Any yes I have 4 season tickets and a parking pass they are not cheap but it is my choice no one forces me nor do they force you. Something for nothing does not exist nor did it ever nor will it in the future. Econ 101.
arkyvol writes:
the use of the word 'loyalty' is probably a bad choice of words, unless it is understood that all the benefits run one way.
ajbake writes:
UT screws over the students financially BIG TIME! As a former student at University of Illinois, Ohio University, Indiana University and UT, by far UT charges the most... and it's ACADEMICALLY, not that great of a school (compared to the other institutions I've attended)
FWBVol writes:
I understand what you are saying, but this is one time I think the university needs to look at its mission, which is first about students. Yes, football isn't part of the academic experience, but it is part of the college experience to many students.
There are a lot of kids in school on grants, loans or some sort of academic scholarship that might not be able to afford these tickets, and they with the increased activity fee, they are paying for them. I know, the activity fee is to use the pool, workout facilities and library too, but the system worked for years.
As I said my earlier post, the SEC received major money, $1 billion for TV contract over the next 10 years to divide among member schools, it seems as if part of that money could go to allow students to attend games at no cost.
tmartin writes:
no, actually you are wrong, it was before your time. like he said, "back in good ole days" . it was first come, first serve, then they got tired of people camping out to be first to get good tickets. UT forbids any free fun on their campus; so they went to the random draw. which isnt really random, all you have to do is slide some cash or be real sweet to those ladies in the ticket office and they'll dig you out some good ones.
BhamVol writes:
Reading the comments above one would think UT is charging students face value. We're talking about $10 per ticket for most games and $20 for a couple more. How fast can a student go through that kind of cash during animal hour on the Strip on a Thursday night?
Seriously, $10 per ticket. Dwayne Goodrich couldn't get a dozen chicken fingers at the Rocky Top Express for $10.
Pay your miniscule $10 and show up. If not, kick back at your place in the Fort and enjoy it on TV. Oh wait, that will probably cost you money too. You know DirectTV is not free either. Welcome to the real world. No more free lunches kiddos...
Go Vols!!
tmartin writes:
you are correct, they aren't free. they cost about $10,000 a year or whatever tuition cost is now plus $300 activity fee. if you would read and comprehend, they are saying that there shouldnt be an extra cost for tickets. therefore the tickets aren't "something for nothing". but there was a time, as recent as 2 years ago, there wasnt an extra cost for tickets. go back to the mini-dome. common sense 101
TechsterVol writes:
If I were still in school, I'd gladly pay 10 or 20 bucks to go to a UT football game. I paid full price for just about every away game for 6 years, plus 3 bowls and 2 SEC Championships. So I don't want to hear the whining. If you don't want to pay a negligible amount for the greatest college football experience in the nation, fine. Makes it easier for me to get a ticket.
Mommasboy writes:
What's the point of the activity fee and then charging for tickets? What if a student doesn't like sports...are they still charged a activity fee? As for the poster earlier...in the past, it didn't matter when you went to the ticket office, you were given a seat at random. So you could get upper deck and go the first day to the ticket office. That's why you just sneak down. I did it for 8 years. Yeah, I am guilty of bringing friends and getting good lower deck seats in the student section even after I graduated in 04'. The crowd is much better there. I get bored sitting in the lame adult/retiree areas where everybody sits down. Heck, after I buy a scalped ticket for $10 for the western ky game, I may migrate to the student section to give my new girlfriend a better atmosphere. She has never been to a UT game. Go vols! 7-5 or 8-4 this year!!! Mark it down!
tdforvols writes:
This is off topic but does anyone know why top kicker Michael Palardy isn't listed in the 2010 recruiting list on this website?
Volunatic writes:
That seems like a pretty good idea. It was bad having to miss class in order to get uf and bama tickets.
RoadTrip writes:
Probably an oversight by KNS. He is listed everywhere else I have looked.
GreerVol22 writes:
Glad to see your priorities are in order! This was the mentality when I was in school. Class of '89. The students that wanted the best seats did "what ever was necessary"....
atvolfan#654430 writes:
If a student cannot afford 20 bucks for a game ticket, he/she probably needs to worry about things other than football. At that price it's a DEEP discount. The students that disagree with the fee can just got go, and that'll make Mike Hamilton even happier, 'cause he'll sell those unused student seats for a much greater profit. Or they could go work a couple of shifts at some esta
The activity fee covers other things, like the state-of-the-art student workout center.
Volunatic writes:
Not sure. Scout still has him listed among UT's commitments.
http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&...
IamScaredOfTrees writes:
If by DEEP you mean 20 bucks then yeah. It's not that most students won't pay the money. It's just annoying to pay 20 bucks to watch my team get blown out in 100 degree weather while standing next to a couple of drunks when I used to be able to watch my team win while standing next to some atrractive though not terribly into football sorority girls for free. And from personal experience, most fans who end up in the student section don't last very long.
10ecmom writes:
"What's the point of the activity fee and then charging for tickets? What if a student doesn't like sports...are they still charged a activity fee?"
Activities fee isn't just for "sports" it also covers the student using the rec center, Clarence Brown, student health center, any campus sponsored events..........Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with charging for the tickets but the program and services fee is not just athletics only. That is just a small part of what that fee covers......
10ecmom writes:
From the UT Bursar's office website
Programs and Services Fee
Students registered for classes at UTK must pay a Programs and Services Fee of $25.00 per hour ($300.00 maximum). This fee is used to pay for costs related to several UTK facilities including the Aquatics Center and the University Center as well as Student Health Services, student activities and publications, and the Student Government Association. Payment of the fee is required to be eligible to purchase student athletic tickets. Some programs and services are available only to students paying the full-time fee and others are available to all students. Part-time students (taking at least 6 hours) who are seeking athletic tickets must pay the full-time fee to be eligible to purchase tickets. Questions should be addressed to the Dean of Students Office. After the first day of class, the Program and Services Fee is a non-refundable fee.
DancingOutlaw writes:
i guess they figure if you're too cheap to pay $10 to see a game it's highly unlikely you'll become a big donor season ticket holder after you graduate. it's $110 for the whole season. get over it. get a job and work 3 hours a week and pay for the tickets. in my opinion this is good as it'll weed out the bandwagon goobers who text each other during the games and take up space instead of actually watching the game.
also let it be known i think the Big Orange Army's uberscam to get students to join and pay led to this and the creation of "seniority" to get better seats. someone tried to beat the system and the university made everyone pay for it. but those boys don't care now they're long gone. i bet it won't take long for there to be "premium" seating in the student section. you went capitalist on a socialist system and no there's no turning back.
UTGrad08 writes:
As a recent UT Grad, I'll just be honest, I think it's about time something like this was done. I graduated in spring '08, so, no, I never had to pay for tickets, but I grew up on UT Football and was irate when I couldn't get tickets because I couldn't stand in line for hours to get them -I went to class- only to find out that people got them and then either didn't go or left halfway through because they didn't really care about the game in the first place. I didn't go to football games for social hour. I went to see a game. If I had to pay $10-$20 for tickets but knew I was going with other people who actually wanted to watch football, I'd do it. Suck it up and shell it out.
smyrnavol writes:
peat and repeat were sittin on a fence pete fell off and who was left? you are dabore. come back when you get some new material homer. come on back and tell us true Vols fans how easy it was for you to get a ticket at face value. bet you don't come close. GO VOLS!!!
atvolfan#654430 writes:
Then you should thank UT for not forcing a football fee on top of your tuition. If you don't like going, don't go.
I was a student 00-04, and everyone was drunk, like it's supposed to be, and that made it that much rowdier. Removing the fratastics, who based on their attire apparently think they're attending worship service, and the sorostitutes , would be a great thing for the student section. More Jack and Jim, less ties and sundresses (although the latter is nice to look at!).
atvolfan#654430 writes:
I camped out once for UF tickets. My group got crappy seats by the band, and a couple other friends walked right in to the UC a few days later, with no line at all, and scored seats in the uber desirable DD section. Those campouts were a waste. This new system is much more fair.
babydoll writes:
it never left.
babydoll writes:
you have a bad atitude...there is nothing wrong with dressing up! what business is it of yours?
brianarauch#206642 writes:
Camping out had much less to do with getting "good" tickets than it had to do with the fun. We always had playstation and NCAA Football set up and had a big tourney. I will never forget in 1997 (my freshman year) we had a huge group of people camping out for the FL game and Peyton brought tons of doughnuts to the people in line for breakfast. Then in 1998 Martin brought pizzas for dinner for the people in line. Now that brought the fans together and was a lasting memory!
simpleman5457625 writes:
We pay for these tickets twice already: once with a portion of the $300 activity fee and with the more obvious payment of the maintenance of campus.
UT AD doesn't upkeep campus nor does it fully cover the costs of maintaining the facilities such as parking garages janitorial staff, or the salaries of the teachers who teach the students.
Sure, the AD may be a separate entity on paper, and yes they give back to the university, but in the end, they are just another DEPARTMENT under the University of Tennessee.
oh, to the knuckleheads who over see this, the student ticket sales would improve if UT WON games. You could scalp a ticket for better seats for a cheaper price towards the end of the year. (No really, my own brother did.)
Chartervol writes:
They could jack the activity fee to $500 or more, and students could have their "free tickets" back.
TrueVolFan writes:
I cant believe all the whinning I'm hearing. Are you really crying about $110 for season tickets to see your team play? I dont want to hear all the bull about students not being able to afford the tix while they are tailgating all day before the game drinking like a fish and then sneaking in an extra $20 worth of JD. It's life, you want to play, you have to pay. Your tuition covers your education, not your entertainment! It amazes me to hear these "the world owes" people comlpain while I gladly pay $1890 per year for 2 in BB and drive 6 hrs one way to see my Vols play and you guys cry over taking $110 out of your drinking money to buy tickets. Get over it! You want to live free, move back in with Mommy and Daddy! Oh well, no worries here, I have my tix and can't wait for Sept. 5 to get here. Only 29 days 22 hrs and 28 mins till kickoff, Go Vols!
WhitePineVol77 writes:
Booooooooooo
LawLawLand writes:
Also, the initial load of "loyalty points" will put the college seniors (many of whom have completed 90+ hours) at a significant advantage while putting, say, second year graduate students (who, by the way, pay WAY more in tuition and cannot get HOPE scholarships) with ~31 hours completed at a disadvantage. Am I interpreting this correctly?
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