JimBob
09-04-2008, 08:28 AM
Cowboy fans boost ticket sales
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
9/4/2008
Last Modified: 9/4/2008 2:50 AM
Holder says OSU has sold nearly 36,000 season packages.
Oklahoma State has streaked beyond last year's season-ticket sales total and could be on course to break the school record.
As of noon Wednesday, OSU had sold nearly 36,000 season tickets for the seven-game 2008 football season. Last year, the total was 33,770.
"I think it's significant, what's happening with ticket sales," OSU athletic director Mike Holder said.
Having vanquished Washington State in last week's opener at Seattle, the Cowboys open their home schedule with Saturday's 6:05 p.m. game against Houston.
It will be OSU's first home date since the Boone Pickens Stadium west-end sections were completed. Seating capacity has increased to 60,000 from last year's 44,700.
In 2004, OSU set school records for average attendance (46,805) and season-ticket sales (38,674). Holder said he believes the current sales campaign could result in a new sales record.
University officials expect a crowd of about 45,000 for the Houston game. If the Cowboys draw 45,000, it will be their largest home crowd since Oct. 29, 2005, when Texas prevailed 47-28 in Stillwater.
No single-game tickets will be made available for the Nov. 29 Bedlam showdown in Stillwater. For Cowboy fans, Bedlam tickets can be purchased only as part of a season-ticket package. The University of Oklahoma will be given 5,000 Bedlam tickets for distribution to its fans.
In 2004, OSU sold 12,000 student season tickets. The students purchased 9,000 season tickets last season, but on average, Holder said, only 5,500 to 6,000 actually attended the games.
This year, Holder indicated, OSU hopes to sell at least 10,000 student season tickets.
"I'll be pleased if we get to that 10,000 number. If we get to 12,000, I think we'd do a dance," Holder said. "More importantly, we need for the students to show up at the games. These students represent our future, for athletics and the institution. If we get them involved in athletics while they're here on campus, there's a greater chance that we'll keep them involved in the future."
The OSU marching band will watch the games from new seats in the west end zone. A total of 24 sections in the west end and on the north side — or nearly 14,000 seats — have been designated for student seating.
"I think most of the enthusiasm and spirit in the stadium will emanate from that northwest corner," Holder said. "People are going to discover that seats in the west end zone may be the best seats in the stadium. Granted, it's a different viewing perspective than most people are accustomed to, but you get a great view of the video board, and the sound system is pointed right at you."
OSU has had unprecedented success in selling club seats. There are 4,000 club seats, and about 3,000 have been claimed for the 2008 season, Holder reported.
Holder said OSU is attempting to generate more business within the city of Stillwater. Traditionally, he said, OSU has sold fewer than 4,000 season tickets to Stillwater residents.
"A winning football team benefits everybody in Stillwater," Holder said.
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
9/4/2008
Last Modified: 9/4/2008 2:50 AM
Holder says OSU has sold nearly 36,000 season packages.
Oklahoma State has streaked beyond last year's season-ticket sales total and could be on course to break the school record.
As of noon Wednesday, OSU had sold nearly 36,000 season tickets for the seven-game 2008 football season. Last year, the total was 33,770.
"I think it's significant, what's happening with ticket sales," OSU athletic director Mike Holder said.
Having vanquished Washington State in last week's opener at Seattle, the Cowboys open their home schedule with Saturday's 6:05 p.m. game against Houston.
It will be OSU's first home date since the Boone Pickens Stadium west-end sections were completed. Seating capacity has increased to 60,000 from last year's 44,700.
In 2004, OSU set school records for average attendance (46,805) and season-ticket sales (38,674). Holder said he believes the current sales campaign could result in a new sales record.
University officials expect a crowd of about 45,000 for the Houston game. If the Cowboys draw 45,000, it will be their largest home crowd since Oct. 29, 2005, when Texas prevailed 47-28 in Stillwater.
No single-game tickets will be made available for the Nov. 29 Bedlam showdown in Stillwater. For Cowboy fans, Bedlam tickets can be purchased only as part of a season-ticket package. The University of Oklahoma will be given 5,000 Bedlam tickets for distribution to its fans.
In 2004, OSU sold 12,000 student season tickets. The students purchased 9,000 season tickets last season, but on average, Holder said, only 5,500 to 6,000 actually attended the games.
This year, Holder indicated, OSU hopes to sell at least 10,000 student season tickets.
"I'll be pleased if we get to that 10,000 number. If we get to 12,000, I think we'd do a dance," Holder said. "More importantly, we need for the students to show up at the games. These students represent our future, for athletics and the institution. If we get them involved in athletics while they're here on campus, there's a greater chance that we'll keep them involved in the future."
The OSU marching band will watch the games from new seats in the west end zone. A total of 24 sections in the west end and on the north side — or nearly 14,000 seats — have been designated for student seating.
"I think most of the enthusiasm and spirit in the stadium will emanate from that northwest corner," Holder said. "People are going to discover that seats in the west end zone may be the best seats in the stadium. Granted, it's a different viewing perspective than most people are accustomed to, but you get a great view of the video board, and the sound system is pointed right at you."
OSU has had unprecedented success in selling club seats. There are 4,000 club seats, and about 3,000 have been claimed for the 2008 season, Holder reported.
Holder said OSU is attempting to generate more business within the city of Stillwater. Traditionally, he said, OSU has sold fewer than 4,000 season tickets to Stillwater residents.
"A winning football team benefits everybody in Stillwater," Holder said.