The University of Wyoming unveiled its 2020 ticket policy for the shortened football season causing some students to question the priorities of the university. There will be a limited number of tickets for students to attend and students will receive the tickets on a “first come, first serve” basis.
“I think (this decision) will hurt the athletic program and I am sad to see it as football was my favorite part of going to school here. Tailgating with my friends every week was so much fun and now I just sit in my room trying to get all my homework done in time,” said student Rachel Hart.
According to Joe Verschueren, the Associate Athletics Director, 1,000 tickets will be given to students. This number is open to change based on re-evaluations on the part of the university. In order to qualify for the first, come first serve, students must be eligible and meet university health requirements. Students are eligible for the tickets if they pay the student fee package.
“The first come first serve is hard,” said senior Ethan Gonda. “I think they should value us more if we have been students longer and given them our loyalty.”
Much of the grievances that Hart and Gonda have are based around who the university is prioritizing with their 2020 ticket system.
According to a university announcement, the majority of tickets will be sold to season ticket holders (STH) with higher standing.
“Tickets for all four home games will be sold on a single game basis and will be limited to four tickets per customer for each game,” according to the university announcement. “However, this will not affect your status as a season ticket holder now or for future seasons. As a current season ticket holder (STH) you will have first access to tickets, which will be sold in groups.”
The prioritization scale is as follows:
- Group A | STH with 400+ Priority Points
- Group B | STH with 150+ Priority Points or donated payment back to Wyoming Now
- Group C | STH with 149 Priority Points or less
- Group D | General Public
“I think the students should receive priority over season ticket holders. We are the ones who go to the school and we are the ones who are watching our classmates participate in athletic events,” Hart said. “I feel as a student that I am not a valued member of the school and UW favors the rich donors over the student body. We are trapped inside our homes all day working on homework with no social interaction among our peers. Being able to have gone to football games and interact with our peers would be a nice change to my week.”
Gonda agreed with Hart in that students should be a priority for football games.
“I think alumni first is okay, it makes sense,” said Gonda. “But after that, allow for more students than they already have, and allow for older student priority.”
Hart agreed with Gonda and said more tickets should be for students. With the weekly COVID-19 testing, Hart said the college should be able to have more students attend the games.
