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September 13, 2002
Athletic ticket prices unchanged for 2003;
prime Ross-Ade seating option introduced
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Due to current economic concerns and conditions, the Purdue University Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will freeze all ticket prices for the next fiscal year with one exception under a plan approved today (Friday, 9/13) by the board of trustees.
"We realize the uncertainty of the economy and its impact on our fans," said Morgan Burke, director of intercollegiate athletics. "In recognition, we recommended a freeze with one exception, which affects Ross-Ade Stadium. Prices for a portion of the seats in Ross-Ade Stadium, which is currently undergoing a $70 million renovation, will increase in 2003 under the approved plan. Those seats in all rows located behind the home and visitor benches will be designated as prime seats."
Prices will increase $10 per ticket per game for these prime seats, Burke said.
The prices will take effect fall 2003, although the seat-selection process for next year will begin just after Jan. 1.
James S. Almond, vice president for business services and assistant treasurer, said the new price structure will help offset revenue loss due to a reduction in stadium seating capacity.
"We will lose more than 4,500 seats when the first phase of the stadium renovation is complete," Almond said. "These price changes were recommended as part of the seating reallocation necessitated by the project."
Under the new plan, raising ticket prices by $10 per game for 7,524 seats in the newly designated prime areas will recover an estimated $75,000 per game, or about 40 percent of what will be lost. The price for most Ross-Ade tickets will remain the same as last year, Burke said.
Roughly 12 percent of seats in Ross-Ade Stadium will increase under the tiered pricing system. The 2002 capacity is 66,295, but that will be reduced to roughly 62,500 in 2003. Before the start of the renovation project, capacity was 67,332.
As in the past, tickets for "premium" games against Ohio State, Michigan, Indiana, Notre Dame and Penn State will be $5 more than other games. In 2003, Notre Dame and Penn State visit Ross-Ade Stadium.
For the seven-game 2003 home schedule, general public prime season tickets for those selecting seats will be $294. This is based on seven games at $42 per game.
Ticket prices will not increase in the rest of the stadium. In 2003, general public season tickets for seats beyond the home and visitor benches will be $224, based on seven games at $32 per game.
Beginning in February, all season ticket holders who are John Purdue Club members will choose new seats, with the option of choosing and paying for seats online, via telephone or in person. General public seating will be assigned after John Purdue Club members have chosen their seats.
The seat reallocation is the result of widened seats and aisles, the addition of increased spots for fans in wheelchairs, and the addition of a 1,450-seat outdoor club seating section on the west side of the stadium. As of Sept. 10, more than 960 of those seats had been sold.
The reseating order will be based on priority points accumulated by John Purdue Club members, who are being contacted this fall about seat reallocation deadlines. Points are earned for financial support of Intercollegiate Athletics, as well as consecutive years of season ticket purchase, membership in the Purdue Alumni Association and other factors.
More information on seat reallocation in Ross-Ade Stadium and club seating is available on the web.
Writers: Grant Flora, (765) 494-2073, gflora@purdue.edu
Jay Cooperider, assistant athletics director, (765) 494-3197, coop@purdue.edu
Sources: Morgan Burke, (765) 494-3189, mjb@purdue.edu
Jay Cooperider, assistant athletics director, (765) 494-3197, coop@purdue.edu
James S. Almond, (765) 494-9706, jsalmond@purdue.edu
Related Web site:
Intercollegiate Athletics home page
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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