only 5100 at the game?

[uninisg]

For the students who are saying their cards aren't scanning, how do you know this. Its a problem that needs to be fixed, so I am curious. The scanner doesn't light up like it does with actual tickets, so are you being told it won't scann or just assuming?

[JayJ79]

Im not suggesting that everyone has 15 bucks to dish out several times a year, but 15 seems pretty reasonable for a Division 1 college basketball team that has made the tournament 3 straight years. I dont have any specific numbers, but I'm guessing are prices are pretty competative when compared to other schools in the state.

U of Iowa tickets (according to their website):
- Adult: $25 or $20 (depending on the game)
- U of I Student: $15
- Youth: $10 (but they only list this price for the $20 games)

ISU (according to their website):
- Lower level: $21 (only saw these available for one non-con game)
- Balcony sides: $26/$23/$16 (depending on the game)
- Balcony corners: $16/$11
didn't see anything about student or youth tickets


so not only is Panther basketball the best team in the state (so far), they're the best value.

[ubuntuCAT]

For the students who are saying their cards aren't scanning, how do you know this. Its a problem that needs to be fixed, so I am curious. The scanner doesn't light up like it does with actual tickets, so are you being told it won't scann or just assuming?

When the card is scanned it and accepted the reader usually shows a green box that says "GO". For every bball game mine has had a red thing show up and says "Stop" I have no idea if this actually means mine isn't getting counted but it always says stop for me.

[ubuntuCAT]

U of Iowa tickets (according to their website):
- Adult: $25 or $20 (depending on the game)
- U of I Student: $15
- Youth: $10 (but they only list this price for the $20 games)

ISU (according to their website):
- Lower level: $21 (only saw these available for one non-con game)
- Balcony sides: $26/$23/$16 (depending on the game)
- Balcony corners: $16/$11
didn't see anything about student or youth tickets


so not only is Panther basketball the best team in the state (so far), they're the best value.

Exactly!!!! Best team, Best value, and great seats all around!!! Hilton is a pretty great bball arena but if you're up in the nose bleads it sucks!

[Panthers to the Bone]

I honestly don't mind the $15 tickets. Remember that those $15 tickets are just for adults. There are $10 tickets for kids and seniors. But, you can't purchase kids/seniors tickets online. They are all $15 tickets.

What I would like to see is a Holidays break special that promotes the north upper bleachers and the top 5-10 rows of the 'student section' for like $7-8/ticket (or $25 for a family of four). That way you can sell out a good portion of the student section and upper north bleachers, and help create a buzz around town for the UNI games. I'll be honest. I'm not worried about the Mac not being sold out in for conference games once students come back...but I am worried about what it will look like on ESPN2 when Bradley comes to 'The Mac', and with students not back on campus. I think there will be a strong contingency of students that come back, but only about 1/3 to 1/2 of what they have been all year. Really promote that game. Show them what kind of atmosphere is usually in the McLeod Center. I would just hate to see a free throw being shown on the south end on TV, and a bunch of yellow bleachers empty. It will really look bad, IMO.

There are home games that remain while students are gone. 2 not so desirable games, and 1 big time game. The big time game is on the 27th, and students probably won't be back, families will want to relax after having a nutty Christmas time, and the excuse of the game being on ESPN2 will keep the semi-casual fans from probably paying the $15 ticket to go to the game. Drop the price just a little for these three games for the upper deck and the top of the student section. I think it will create a buzz, it won't cheapen the season ticket holders seats, and it will provide a strong home court advantage.

Other schools do similar things:
SIU: http://siusalukis.cstv.com/sports/m-...113006aaa.html
$7 ticket vs. Missouri State and Central Michigan
ILSU: Family Pack 4 tickets for $4/ticket for upper level seating
Bradley: http://www.bubraves.com/ViewArticle....&ATCLID=717961
Half price tickets over Holidays break (for non-priority seating)
Creighton and Wichita don't have to run these specials b/c they have either sold out their arena with season tickets (WSU) or have a small student section that they don't have to worry about it (or they are in a building not their own...that may have something to do with it).

I couldn't find any info on Evansville (although I would think they would run some sort of specials...and Missouri State's website is down).

So, it's something that is done elsewhere and is successful, and something that I think UNI should at least look at...unless there are signs that point to the three games selling out bleacher seats and standing room only seating.

[Deke3]

IMO tickets need to stay at the price they are. It frustrates me to hear people complain about prices. I bought three season tickets this year; one for me, my wife, and our 2 y/o. I paid full (adult price) for all three tickets, because this is how it worked out. I will tell you my 2 y/o will only be at the games that are before 7:05 or on the weekends (7:05 games get too late during the week). Not to mention we have a 2 month old at home, so typically my wife will have to stay home to watch the kids and 2 of my seats would be empty (I usually can bring a friend or two). I guess my point is, I didn't bat an eye at buying the three tickets even though I knew most games 2 of my seats could be empty. Oh, btw, my wife and I are in education and are both getting our Masters, so don't think we are rolling in money...it's just a commitment we made to UNI. If something is important to you, you will find a way to make it work. The future of UNI Athletics is something that is important to us.

I bet the same people who complain about the ticket prices are the first to spend twice that amount at the bar.

[Panthers to the Bone]

Good point Deke...and just for clarification, I wasn't complaining about the ticket prices. They are where they need to be. However, with students gone, there are going to be alot of open seats. Thus far, there have been empty seats even with the students there, so let's use the holidays break to cater to some of the families and HS students that are looking for things to do over the break and fill the McLeod Center in some of the non-premium spots against 2 non-marquee games and 1 big game.

[DRAKELAWPANTHER]

Are the north bleacher seats any good? A group of six of us '02 grads are making the trek up for the Bradley game on the 27th, and all I could get was 2nd row, North Bleachers. Will they suck?

[Deke3]

PTTB, great suggestion. I am totally for giving blocks of open seats away for schools, churches, clubs, etc.

Drakelawpanther, North bleachers will be very good...the panthers will end the game shooting at that basket so you will be right there for the 2nd half action. really, the whole place has great seats...see you there!

[unigriff]

I realize we're only 4 home games into the year. But seriously...an average attendance of 6493 for 4 games, and that INCLUDES the ISU game!!!! Whats the dealio!? Last night was our worst crowd, and the UMW game was our best in the MAC. Very discouraging, and so on!

[panther2317]

There's not a bad seat in the place...period. Season tickets going un-used really does draw my ire a little bit. Thanks for purchasing them, but if you know that you have a previous committment the night of a game and don't care about the money (I'm making that assumption becuase the seats go un-used), then GIVE THEM AWAY to a friend or family member and create a new Panther fan! Are you telling me that the dunks and Viet's 3-balls last night wouldn't have gotten someone excited about coming back again in the future???

I can't figure out where those people were? Iowa wasn't on TV, there wasn't any football on, it was a gorgeous December evening. Come on out folks!

[unigriff]

merkpanther can vouch for me on this...for our Glee Club concerts...we take pride in selling out every show...for what is now the 70th show in a row...(thats 23 consecutive years!)

but we know that it doesnt mean as much to us if the tickets are sold, but there aint no butt in that seat. It really is a motivational and confidence builder.

[DrewDog]

For a Saturday night in December, I thought that the crowd was good and very loud. People have a ton of family and community events this time a year. I will be concerned if we do not have near sell outs once we get into January.

As for the student ID's, this has been an issue with UNI ID cards for students and faculty and staff for a number of years since the cards can become demagnetized over time. I had to get a new ID last year because it was so bad I could not use it at the library.

[AmesPanther]

I can't figure out where those people were? Iowa wasn't on TV, there wasn't any football on, it was a gorgeous December evening. Come on out folks!

They aren't anywhere. Corporate tickets.

[BCPanther]

I would think that the student ticket problem would be pretty easy to fix. Require students to have that paper printout. Simple easy and doesn't take any more time than checking your email to see if you got a ticket.

Also, I agree. THE CORPORATE SEATS HAVE TO BE FULL. Its pretty disheartening as a season ticket holder when you are in the corner because you picked later in the process and then the courtside seats are empty. Its unfortunate that the die-hard Panther fans are taking the shaft on this one.

I have no problem with the big-time donors getting seats and benefits if they use them, if they are not going to use them, however, put their seats in a place where we won't look horrible when ESPN comes to town repeatedly during the Valley season. Sorry, stepping off soap box...