By Catherine Laroche
Each year the student season ticket distribution process seems to get worse and worse.
The last two years, the Student Government Association used a lottery system where students who wanted season tickets came out to an athletic facility, signed up in groups of 25 for a designated number thrown in a hat or bag of some sort and then waited to hear their number.
The lottery can seem fair, but I don’t agree with it because no matter how big of a fan you are, you could still end up with the worst seats.
Students used to buy tickets on a first come, first serve basis. The earlier students showed up, the better chances they had of receiving tickets and gaining better seats.
Student ticket distribution should be based on dedication, devotion and love for U of L football and basketball. Students used to camp out around the stadium and show up hours before to sign up for tickets. Those students should be the ones who get the better seats, not those who attend games for the beer and social aspect.
U of L sophomore marketing student Sierra Ritchie wasn’t happy with the student ticket distribution last year.
“I think they should have a one-day first come, first serve process,” Ritchie said. “It makes more sense to me because if you want it bad enough, you’ll be there.”
SGA Student Athletic Director Trevor Joelson says there’s a law preventing state owned facilities, such as PJCS and Freedom Hall, to participate in a first come, first serve process.
“I believe the current distribution has its flaws, but I understand the precedent for the reason the decisions are made,” Joelson said. “I would like to get ticketing to a point where those passionate students, who are clamoring for the best seats, are able to ‘camp out’ or do something similar while others are offered a more streamlined process.”
The problems could be eliminated if U of L took a bigger role in the process. It would go smoother and there would be less, if any, situations of 10 numbers being left out of the lottery drawing or any of the other issues that have come up over the years.
As of last year, South Florida, Georgetown, Rutgers, and UK’s athletic departments have been in charge of their student ticket distribution. So, why not U of L?
