The University of Michigan Athletic Department announced a few significant
changes in their football season ticket pricing today. Stating in the 2004 season,
public season ticket prices in the prime areas the stadium (Maize, Blue and
Victors areas…see seating chart link below) will see a 3$ increase, while
student tickets will increase 1$. The more notable change is the implementation
of a Preferred Seating Program that will begin to take effect in the 2005 campaign.
A total of 30% of the stadium's seats and 45% of season ticket holders will
be affected by the change. Obtaining (and retaining) seats in the specified
locations will depend on the ticket holder’s charitable donations to the
department. The minimum contribution will range between $125-$500 per ticket.
The mandatory gift qualifies as a donation to a public university in the state
of Michigan and will be 80% deductible. Current season ticket holders that don’t
want to donate can opt to have their tickets moved to an area of the stadium
that is unaffected.
The donation levels of the stadium patrons will be part of the criteria of
a new Priority Points Program that will be introduced along with the seating
plan. Under the new system, season ticket holders will be able to accrue points
that will allow them the opportunity to improve their seats, obtain better tickets
to away games, obtain game day parking passes, and get preference in the allocation
of bowl tickets. Besides the level of charity to the athletic department, other
criteria in the Priority Points Program will be whether the person is a UM graduate
or letter winner, the number of years the person has purchased season tickets,
and whether the person is a charter member of the Victors Club.
University of Michigan athletic director Bill Martin indicated that this was
a necessary change in the current economic atmosphere of collegiate sports.
“Requiring an annual seat donation for select season ticket locations
is common among our peer institutions," Martin said. “Michigan is
the only school of the top 20 attendance leaders in college football that has
not implemented a preferred seating program.”
*For the official release from the Athletic department, which includes more
info on the changes, click here.
*For more details on the Preferred Seating Program click here.
*To view the seating chart that details the effected areas, click here.