Michigan football student ticket sales spike despite rise in price
File photo
In spite of the U-M Athletic Department raising student ticket prices for the third consecutive year, the school sold 15,519 season ticket bundles to students this year, up nearly 600 tickets from last year.
Those bundles include six home games at an average of $32.50 per game, a $2.50 bump from last year. In 2010 student season ticket holders paid about $28 per game.
Season ticket rates for non-students also increased by $5 per game and now cost $390 for six games.
U-M called the rate increase moderate and said it's part of an effort to match prices at other institutions. Michigan State University's student tickets are $22 per game next year. Student tickets at Ohio State University haven't gone on sale yet but were $34 per game last season.
The 4 percent uptick in student ticket sales isn't a surprise, given the Wolverine's 11-2 season and Sugar Bowl win last year, said David Ablauf, associate athletic director of public and media relations.
"Anytime you're coming off a season where you're very successful ... there's always interest from your students," he said.
Student ticket sales for away games also increased this year. Last year at this time U-M sold 178 tickets for an away game against MSU, the most tickets purchased by students for any away game that year.
This year 448 students purchased tickets to the multimillion dollar season opener against defending national champion Alabama, 424 students bought tickets to the Notre Dame game and another 263 students purchased tickets to watch the Wolverines play the Buckeyes at Ohio State University.
Ablauf said student ticket purchases to away games fluctuate year to year, depending on what schools U-M is playing against and what time of year games occur.
Meanwhile the price to park at nearby Pioneer High School on a game day is increasing $10 next year, bringing the rate up to $50 per car per day.
Entering freshmen, transfer and graduate students can purchase student tickets beginning June 6. For non-students, individual tickets and ticket packs go on sale in July.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
GoBlueGoWing
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 10:20 p.m.
the question is will the kids show up. Last year the top of the section had a big gap.
A2Dave
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 8:24 p.m.
Ummm, isn't there one game missing from the schedule on the Football Homepage? Like, uh, that school down South? You know, ohio?
Dog Guy
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 1:34 p.m.
In the day when tuition for Michiganders totaled $154 per semester for as many credits as desired, the pair of UM student season tickets was $10. The tickets could be sold to those neurotic identifiers known as fans for about enough to cover a full year's tuition. What is the math for today's cost of tickets, cost of tuition, and scalping value?
AMaizing_Blue
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:55 p.m.
These kids can get on craigslist and sell a big game ticket for tons of money. My girlfriend did it every year when she was attending U of M. They can sell a U of M vs. OSU ticket for at least the price they bought the entire seaons tickets for. A lot of the student i knew when she attended there did it. Its hand over fist.
drewk
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:54 p.m.
With all of the excess revenue that the athletic department has been flaunting recently, why are they raising ticket prices yet again?
jasna
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:53 p.m.
with Kellie also reporting a record number of student admissions, this is not surprising. More students enrolled equals more students buying student tickets. However, I think the students are being stiffed like the rest of the season ticket holders. What is the reason for raising student prices? Because they want to match prices at other institutions. Give me a break! How about lowering tuition rates to match tuition rates at other institutions... Oh, I see, the "matching" argument doesn't go both ways?
MRunner73
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 4:09 p.m.
Agreed. It is the other institutions are raising rates argument as a justification for this that gets me teed off. The double edged sword facts that the Michigan football program is destined to be successful for many years to come under Coach Hoke so that means higher demand for tickets and that will drive up ticket prices even higher in the future for students, season ticket holders and the general public.
jcj
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:13 a.m.
How about an article on the ticket office going paperless. And the effect that will have on elderly long time season ticket holders that do not have a computer.
Marshall Applewhite
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.
jcj, If old people care that much about going to games and genuinely don't know how to use the Internet after 20 years of existence, I'm sure it wouldn't be impossible for some young 60-yr old chap to help them out if they asked nicely.
jcj
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 6:44 p.m.
justaposter So you think its OK to screw a few people so that we can pay some in the AD'S office a higher salary? Did you ever see a "savings" from the U of M passed on to anyone BUT the elite in the AD office? $22,000 Is chicken feed for the big spenders in the AD. They charge more for doing less!
jcj
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 6:31 p.m.
Marshall Very compassionate post! I will relay your concern to my 81 year old mother in-law! Who knows YOU may not have that many days left either! Your "logic" leaves much to be desired! If only I could tell you what I really think!
Marshall Applewhite
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 6:02 p.m.
It's not like computers are some kind of new technology. If people still exst who are at the age where they have never used a computer and are unable to learn, I can't imagine they have many days of Michigan football viewing left.
Marshall Applewhite
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 6:01 p.m.
It's not like computers are some kind of new technology. If people still people who are at the age where they have never used a computer and are unable to learn, I can't imagine they have many days of Michigan football viewing left.
justaposter
Thu, Apr 19, 2012 : 12:32 p.m.
According to the email I got, it saves $22,000 a year. Seems dumb to spend that money on paper. You can call and pay by phone if you don't have a computer.