Students seek changes in home game ticket policy
Because of the university rule stating non-USD students cannot enter the student section at sporting events, even with a ticket, students express their desire for change.
Currently, USD policy says only USD students are allowed to sit in the student section at sporting events, but many students will pick up their free ticket, and then sell it to non-students.
Administrative standpoint
Chris Kaufman, coordinator of ticket operations and sales, said students can pick up their tickets in the MUC before each home football game, or they can show up at the event and swipe their student ID to be granted access, if space is allotted. These tickets are already pre-paid for through GAF fees.
“Each USD student through the GAF fees receives free admission to all regular season coyote athletic events including football, basketball, volleyball, soccer…,” Kaufman said. “We make sure that there are easier ways that students can get admission into the games specifically for football.”
Kaufman said the ticket office does not encourage students selling their tickets to non-USD students.
“We want to make sure that USD students are taking advantage of the opportunities presented to them to attend games,” Kaufman said. “For USD students we don’t encourage handing off of tickets or selling tickets to other students that (attend) other schools.”
Kaufman said some precautions were also taken from students selling their tickets.
“We’ve had taken precautions previously to curve that kind-of activity. It’s mostly for the safety of the students attending different schools. Whether they’re representing a different color,” Kaufman said. “…We want to make sure that all students are together with their peers and enjoying the football game.”
However, non-USD students can get into sporting events if the university sponsors a promoted ticket game.
Nov. 10, which is a family weekend, is an example of a game where students can purchase tickets for their family and friends, Kaufman said.
“We actually do a promotion for select games for football in which USD students can purchase a ticket for their friends to go to a football game,” Kaufman said. “Those games typically do not include the higher demand games including the home opener, Dakota Days and SDSU/NDSU football games.”
Student perspective
Baylie Andersen, a junior elementary education major, said she is annoyed by the ticket policy, because she has once bought a ticket for a friend that she couldn’t use.
“I’m not a fan of the ticket policy. It frustrates me that I can’t buy student section tickets for my friends that don’t go here,” Andersen said. “I think non-students should be able to have access to the student section up to a certain age. After 25 is too old, in my opinion, to be in the student section.”
Andersen also said that she doesn’t agree with where students can pick up their tickets.
“It also annoys me that for certain games I can’t go to the (Sanford Coyote Sports Center) to get a ticket when I want to and have to go to the MUC at a certain time when they’re giving away tickets because those times don’t work for me,” Andersen said. “I pay a lot to go here and should be able to go and get a ticket whenever I want to.”
Ashley Fuerst, a junior psychology major, said she is also annoyed with the ticket policy.
“I think the policy can be frustrating at times, especially when friends from other schools come to visit,” Fuerst said. “A common frustration I’ve had, and that others I know had, is paying a lot of money for a ticket and actually finding someone who will sell their ticket for non-USD friends.”
“I do think non-USD students should be able to be in the student section, and I do appreciate when the university lets us as students buy a second ticket for our friends to attend games,” Fuerst said.
Josh Sorbe, a junior economics and political science double major and Student Government Association president, said ticket allocation for the 2019 school year will soon be underway, although the future of the location and numbers of seats in student section will be determined by the DakotaDome renovations.
“The east bleachers of the dome – the traditional student section – will be unavailable for the 2019 football season because of the renovations. A group of student leaders from Coyote Crazies, IFC/Panhellenic Council, cheer, band, athletics, and SGA has been formed to discuss student participation and ticket allocation for the 2019 school year,” Sorbe said. “Rest assured, students will still have a section at the games and be able to cheer on their Coyotes.”
See coverage about dome renovations, and what this means for the student section, in this week’s issue of The Volante.
