Is the BYU/UConn game sold out?

[UConnDan97]

I don't really think there are very many people waiting for slashing. I think that is a straw man. I do think there are marginal fans (or non-fans) that say "if I really want to go I can get cheap tickets either from StubHub/the school/friends for dirt cheap anyway so why buy ahead of time?" But you can't plan your pricing strategies around those people because they won't go if the wind blows the wrong way.

Well, just for full disclosure, I am one of your marginal non-fans. I've been operating on 3-game packages for a couple years now (and prior to that, it was by the single game for 2 games a year), because I'm a 1-income family. And I don't bring my family. I normally find a couple of friends willing to split the other ticket and I rotate who I go with.

So now do you understand where I'm coming from? Do you think of me as a marginal fan? I'm not the only one out there...

 

[J187Money]

Wait a minute, this promo is only available to UConn donors or season ticket holders, not for the average Joe Shmoe looking for cheap seats. It's an incentive to buy your regular priced season ticket.

That's even a better point.

 

[J187Money]

Well, just for full disclosure, I am one of your marginal non-fans. I've been operating on 3-game packages for a couple years now (and prior to that, it was by the single game for 2 games a year), because I'm a 1-income family. And I don't bring my family. I normally find a couple of friends willing to split the other ticket and I rotate who I go with.

So now do you understand where I'm coming from? Do you think of me as a marginal fan? I'm not the only one out there...

You are not a marginal non-fan. You are a real fan. And I'm not saying there aren't people like you that exist. I think because you are one of them you think there are 20,000 of them. I just don't think that there are. Just like there aren't 10,000 of me out there that can buy 6 tickets knowing that 2 are going to go unused every game and not care.

And BTW - I'd buy your ticket if it got you in the building for every game. That's how I roll. I know you care that much. #riseuptogether

 

[UconnFamily]

>>>Thank you for your ongoing support of the UConn Football program as a season ticket holder and/or donor.

We look forward to seeing you next Friday (August 29) at 7:00 p.m. as our Huskies open the 2014 season against BYU at Rentschler Field.

As a token of our appreciation for your loyalty, we want to provide you with an exclusive “Friends and Family” ticket offer. You can purchase additional tickets for just $20 each, a 50% discount off the regular reserved single game price. Invite your relatives, neighbors, and colleagues to experience the excitement of UConn Football for a very special price.

We want to fill “The Rent” as Coach Diaco leads our football program into a new era --- and show the national television audience that UConn Country is stronger than ever. Please encourage others to be part of our team next Friday evening.

CLICK HERE to buy “Friends and Family” tickets now. Enter promo codeFILLTHERENT to access the special discount pricing. (Tickets are limited and will not be located near or around seats you may have as a season ticket holder.)

For more information or to order by phone, please call our Athletic Ticket Office at 877-AT-UCONN (288-2666), Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Thanks again for your continuing dedication to UConn Athletics and our football program.

Go Huskies!

Warde Manuel
Athletic Director<<

Thanks! just grabbed 3 tickets!! #GoHuskies #HuskyUp

 

[UConnDan97]

You are not a marginal non-fan. You are a real fan. And I'm not saying there aren't people like you that exist. I think because you are one of them you think there are 20,000 of them. I just don't think that there are. Just like there aren't 10,000 of me out there that can buy 6 tickets knowing that 2 are going to go unused every game and not care.

And BTW - I'd buy your ticket if it got you in the building for every game. That's how I roll. I know you care that much. #riseuptogether

I don't know if there are 20,000 of them, or what the real number is. What I do know is, like I mentioned, I have friends that I rotate to come with me for the second ticket (actually, this year, we expanded to 4 people with 1 ticket rotating). That means that the rotating friends would likely also be season ticket holders at lower price points. The fact that I found them relatively easily, with only 1 of the 4 being an alum, probably means that there are a great many more of them out there.

But again, I have no idea what that number is...

 

[DSquiz]

Back to the original topic, looking at the seats left it seems to be a few hundred if that.

So yes this will be a sell out. Students haven't even arrived on campus yet which is always a big driver of tickets, student and non-student (friends, family etc.).

 

[FAIRTIDES]

You are not a marginal non-fan. You are a real fan. And I'm not saying there aren't people like you that exist. I think because you are one of them you think there are 20,000 of them. I just don't think that there are. Just like there aren't 10,000 of me out there that can buy 6 tickets knowing that 2 are going to go unused every game and not care.

And BTW - I'd buy your ticket if it got you in the building for every game. That's how I roll. I know you care that much. #riseuptogether

None of us will know what does/doesn't work until the most important variable is fixed; when a competitive product is offered to the buying public. The owners of both the Yankees and Mets reduced stadium capacities in the hope of "stimulating demand." Fewer, more expensive seats was the goal. They're finding out that there is little and, sometimes, no demand for product the buying public sees as wanting. When the UCONN football product improves, starting Friday night, arguments about profit/share/demand, etc. will be relevant. You don't convert vegetarians by getting them to try liver

 

[J187Money]

None of us will know what does/doesn't work until the most important variable is fixed; when a competitive product is offered to the buying public. The owners of both the Yankees and Mets reduced stadium capacities in the hope of "stimulating demand." Fewer, more expensive seats was the goal. They're finding out that there is little and, sometimes, no demand for product the buying public sees as wanting. When the UCONN football product improves, starting Friday night, arguments about profit/share/demand, etc. will be relevant. You don't convert vegetarians by getting them to try liver

Well said.

 

[J187Money]

I don't know if there are 20,000 of them, or what the real number is. What I do know is, like I mentioned, I have friends that I rotate to come with me for the second ticket (actually, this year, we expanded to 4 people with 1 ticket rotating). That means that the rotating friends would likely also be season ticket holders at lower price points. The fact that I found them relatively easily, with only 1 of the 4 being an alum, probably means that there are a great many more of them out there.

But again, I have no idea what that number is...

I do think there are a few thousand of them out there (in theory), but people that are financially challenged also have lots of other issues, like:

- game schedules are different days/times - screws up work schedules
- you can go alone, but lots of folks can't - because they have kids, wives that won't let them, etc.
- even if ticket prices are lower, you can't really do anything about concession prices (I mean you could, but they are that high everywhere)
- people who are watching their money generally don't want to shell out money for things that far in advance

Meaning, and again this is just my opinion, that there aren't that many people that would / could / want to commit to a 7 game schedule (at this point in time given the product on the field) if the only variable that changed was price.

 

[UCFBfan]

I do think there are a few thousand of them out there (in theory), but people that are financially challenged also have lots of other issues, like:

- game schedules are different days/times - screws up work schedules
- you can go alone, but lots of folks can't - because they have kids, wives that won't let them, etc.
- even if ticket prices are lower, you can't really do anything about concession prices (I mean you could, but they are that high everywhere)
- people who are watching their money generally don't want to shell out money for things that far in advance

Meaning, and again this is just my opinion, that there aren't that many people that would / could / want to commit to a 7 game schedule (at this point in time given the product on the field) if the only variable that changed was price.

This is well said. Price is not the only factor for many. Would lowering it possibly get some more people to buy season tix? Maybe? But a lot of your other factors you mentioned are the biggest reasons why people aren't getting tickets for all 7 games and are piece-mealing it instead. It's reality for many, myself included. With a new family, going to 7 games is impossible. Wife and I used to get season tix every year but we have two girls now under 2 and we, at best, get to one to two games a year because having someone watch the kids is tough. When they get older will we get tickets again? Absolutely!

So great explanation JMoney. I think you nailed the reasons more people aren't buying season tickets yet we can still expect sell-outs for many games through single game tickets.

 

[itgoeslike]

I'm going to be in the Boston area for a last minute business trip this Friday. I have some meetings but was wondering how early would I have to leave to get to the stadium, get parked, pick up tickets and get seated considering Friday night traffic, Labor Day weekend, etc. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I don't know if there are 20,000 of them, or what the real number is. What I do know is, like I mentioned, I have friends that I rotate to come with me for the second ticket (actually, this year, we expanded to 4 people with 1 ticket rotating). That means that the rotating friends would likely also be season ticket holders at lower price points. The fact that I found them relatively easily, with only 1 of the 4 being an alum, probably means that there are a great many more of them out there.

But again, I have no idea what that number is...

I'm with JMoney on this. I've brought friends with me. Friends of my son and his father. They've never paid for a ticket or parking. I provide most of the tailgate. You know how many repeat customers I get? You know how people have bought tix to future games? Nada.

People just have other things to do. The diehards make this part of their fall ritual. But with my son now playing football, I'm forced to choose. Which isn't a choice. We just got his schedule this week. He has a game on 9/13 at 3 PM on the shore. I'll likely miss the Boise game. Not thrilled but I'd rather go see my son play. Wished they would move Pop Warner games to Sunday.

 

[RedStickHusky]

This is all very valid discussion and I hope the U is thinking strategically in balancing income and market share priorities. I hope that their thinking is not overly influenced by the P5/G5 income gap and sustainability. I do not we can absolutely not afford to have a bunch of empty seats in a nationally televised game. It would reinforce too many negative perceptions.

To me though, this discussion is secondary to developing the product on the field and the game day experience. You may have a (small) hard core that loves football and loves UConn but to grow new fans you have to give them something they can invest in emotionally. I don't want to open a discussion on our coaching history but for the last few years being a fan of UConn football has been a painful experience. Who's signing up for that?

 

[huskypantz]

I'm going to be in the Boston area for a last minute business trip this Friday. I have some meetings but was wondering how early would I have to leave to get to the stadium, get parked, pick up tickets and get seated considering Friday night traffic, Labor Day weekend, etc. Any thoughts? Thanks.

I'm going to be leaving from Stoughton (just south/west of boston) at around 3-3:30. Normal time for me is 1:45, I expect to get there by 5:30-5:45. If you are in downtown Boston, Quincy or Cambridge, leave at 3. Assuming that you are taking the mass pike straight there, you will usually hit pockets of traffic from Star Market all the way out to the tolls at 84. As long as you're out of the 95/128 loop before 4, you should be fine. In 11 years I've never been late for a weekday night game and that includes a fuel spill/fire on 84E that caused rubbernecking delays westbound (and the road was still shut down on the way home after the game).

 

[itgoeslike]

I'm going to be leaving from Stoughton (just south/west of boston) at around 3-3:30. Normal time for me is 1:45, I expect to get there by 5:30-5:45. If you are in downtown Boston, Quincy or Cambridge, leave at 3. Assuming that you are taking the mass pike straight there, you will usually hit pockets of traffic from Star Market all the way out to the tolls at 84. As long as you're out of the 95/128 loop before 4, you should be fine. In 11 years I've never been late for a weekday night game and that includes a fuel spill/fire on 84E that caused rubbernecking delays westbound (and the road was still shut down on the way home after the game).

Thanks. So, roughly two and half hours on a Friday night as long as I leave by 4pm.

 

[huskypantz]

Thanks. So, roughly two and half hours on a Friday night as long as I leave by 4pm.

Outside of the 95 loop yes. I used to like in Waltham and could make it to the Rent in 90 min no traffic, adding an hour for a Friday night is fair.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Thanks. So, roughly two and half hours on a Friday night as long as I leave by 4pm.

4pm would be cutting it very, very close. If you're coming out of the city, traffic on 90 can be brutal on Fridays - there have been epic traffic gridlocks on Friday afternoons getting out of the city. It's also the beginning of college move-in weekend and the annual everybody in the city moves on/around Sept. 1 weekend, so the amount of cars on the road will be higher than normal. If you want to ensure you can get to East Hartford, park, and be in your seat by kickoff, I'd leave no later than 3-315. That is, if you're coming from inside the city, elsewhere it'd be different depending on where.

 

[KBCoug]

Well, a few too many purported UCONN fans feel the need to kick back their 12th pre-game beer before meandering into The Rent late and sometimes finding their seats. On the other hand, that might not be a reasonable excuse for tardy fans arriving at LaVell Edwards Stadium. What's their excuse? Exceedingly heavy Provo traffic?

... never quite understood why people buy tickers to any event, arrive late, depart early, drink so much they can't walk le
t alone the game, concert, etc., but call me crazy. If it leads to more people getting in their seats before kickoff, maybe the 1/2 cut off or encouragement to shut things down before kickoff has some merit. Don't see it working all too well, but it would be great of more people act like fans by finding their seats before kickoff versus the 2nd quarter. Yup, crazzzzy concept. Go Huskies!

I don't u derstand

Well, a few too many purported UCONN fans feel the need to kick back their 12th pre-game beer before meandering into The Rent late and sometimes finding their seats. On the other hand, that might not be a reasonable excuse for tardy fans arriving at LaVell Edwards Stadium. What's their excuse? Exceedingly heavy Provo traffic?

... never quite understood why people buy tickers to any event, arrive late, depart early, drink so much they can't walk let alone the game, concert, etc., but call me crazy. If it leads to more people getting in their seats before kickoff, maybe the 1/2 cut off or encouragement to shut things down before kickoff has some merit. Don't see it working all too well, but it would be great of more people act like fans by finding their seats before kickoff versus the 2nd quarter. Yup, crazzzzy concept. Go Huskies!

Well, a few too many purported UCONN fans feel the need to kick back their 12th pre-game beer before meandering into The Rent late and sometimes finding their seats. On the other hand, that might not be a reasonable excuse for tardy fans arriving at LaVell Edwards Stadium. What's their excuse? Exceedingly heavy Provo traffic?

... never quite understood why people buy tickers to any event, arrive late, depart early, drink so much they can't walk let alone the game, concert, etc., but call me crazy. If it leads to more people getting in their seats before kickoff, maybe the 1/2 cut off or encouragement to shut things down before kickoff has some merit. Don't see it working all too well, but it would be great of more people act like fans by finding their seats before kickoff versus the 2nd quarter. Yup, crazzzzy concept. Go Huskies!

Well Da_Aisijimo_Gou I wish I could tell you why BYU fans are procastinators when it comes to everythng in live but we (speaing generally and not inividually). I have season tickets and my wife and I have the habit of showing up at least an hour early. I guess there are as many excuses as there are people who are constantly late. One game an older couple got to their seats at the start of the 2nd half and they were gone by the end of the 3rd quarter. I could have understood why they left if the game was a blowout one way or the other but the difference in the score was less than a touchdown. Another issue we have with our fans is their refusal to wear Blue so our crowd looks like a big bowl of Skittles. We also have some fans who stubbornly stand most of the game, even if the people behind them are really old and can't stand up to watch the whole game. I agree that standing can be a good thing but when it impedes someone else from ejoying the game then common courtesy should dictate that the standers should sit except for big plays.

Traffic in between Salt Lake City and Provo can be really cogested and if an accdent does occur the freeway turns into a very long parking lot. As I said my wife and I are always early, once 6 hours early. BYU happens to be the worst university in the world when it comes to tailgating, probably becasue of the church who owns the school has a policy against alcohol. We do have about the fewest trouble with intoxicatoin though and also very few fights in the stands because some drunk says something offensive to someone who isn't drunk.

Good luck Huskies, just not too much luck.

 

[Calhoun's Court]

Forwarded the UCONN and Wood N' Tap promo emails to friends.

I know 2 bought tickets.

Our tailgate is now up to roughly 15 people.

Trying to do my part to rally the troops.

 

[Sprague03]

I was able to bring an additional 4 people with me and my fiancé. So that's 6 in total. No, it's not 15, but hopefully I'm doing my part!!!

 

[uconnfan68]

I was in Michigan Stadium for the opener in 2010. The noise generated by 113k didn't match some of the biggest games at the Rent. The Pitt game in 04 and the Michigan game last year were the loudest games I've attended at the Rent. Both were night games. I expect a rowdy crowd rallying behind the new coach.

Loved that Pitt game (thanks Joyce!).

 

[BugsyCT]

Another issue we have with our fans is their refusal to wear Blue so our crowd looks like a big bowl of Skittles.

Hmm . . . funny that we've never had that problem.

 

[itgoeslike]

4pm would be cutting it very, very close. If you're coming out of the city, traffic on 90 can be brutal on Fridays - there have been epic traffic gridlocks on Friday afternoons getting out of the city. It's also the beginning of college move-in weekend and the annual everybody in the city moves on/around Sept. 1 weekend, so the amount of cars on the road will be higher than normal. If you want to ensure you can get to East Hartford, park, and be in your seat by kickoff, I'd leave no later than 3-315. That is, if you're coming from inside the city, elsewhere it'd be different depending on where.

Thanks. I figured it would be a challenging weekend/time to drive down, which is why I was trying to get a read on the overall logistics. Hopefully the schedule works out.

 

[Jimdish255]

I'm with JMoney on this. I've brought friends with me. Friends of my son and his father. They've never paid for a ticket or parking. I provide most of the tailgate. You know how many repeat customers I get? You know how people have bought tix to future games? Nada.

People just have other things to do. The diehards make this part of their fall ritual. But with my son now playing football, I'm forced to choose. Which isn't a choice. We just got his schedule this week. He has a game on 9/13 at 3 PM on the shore. I'll likely miss the Boise game. Not thrilled but I'd rather go see my son play. Wished they would move Pop Warner games to Sunday.

Wish we could have played Boise at night. 2 Sat noon games in a row competes with a lot of family issues. And yes there are a number of "die-hards" who's jobs, distance and family make season tix impractical. Taking a slight loss is one thing but seeing tickets wasted is another. Still working on getting a group I can count on who wants to be here multiple games. When that happens I'll be happy to buy in even with scheduling conflicts and the occasional giveaway. Winning will cure a lot of this but it's an uphill battle right now.

So are we sold out yet for BYU?

 

[BoatShow]

Stubhub has 422 tickets left soo at least that.

 

[Fishy]

Another issue we have with our fans is their refusal to wear Blue so our crowd looks like a big bowl of Skittles..

I've come to the conclusion that dark blue is the worst color for a school to have.

First, if you try to have a "blue-out", everyone looks like an empty seat.

Second, if you try to have a "white-out" to compensate for the difficulties of having a "blue-out", the people who don't wear white because all they have is blue look even more like an empty seat than usual.

Basically, if you're starting a school tomorrow, pick red.

 

[CL82]

I'll stop using the RGIII quote the minute everyone else on the planet stops referencing the 4,000 tickets we bought for the Fiesta Bowl, because at least the RGIII quote is accurate.

I'll stop using the RGIII quote...in 20 minutes.

 

[J187Money]

Stubhub has 422 tickets left soo at least that.

Those are resale tickets no? So they have already been sold.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Wish we could have played Boise at night. 2 Sat noon games in a row competes with a lot of family issues. And yes there are a number of "die-hards" who's jobs, distance and family make season tix impractical. Taking a slight loss is one thing but seeing tickets wasted is another. Still working on getting a group I can count on who wants to be here multiple games. When that happens I'll be happy to buy in even with scheduling conflicts and the occasional giveaway. Winning will cure a lot of this but it's an uphill battle right now.

So are we sold out yet for BYU?

Maybe late to do anything this year, but you should be able to find a few guys here that would be willing and able to go in on tix. Heck I would do it. Most games it's just me and my son. Dan97 may be interested. There's gotta be a few people here in the same situation. I'm gonna put this out there in the spring. If I don't forget. There's a 90% chance I forget. But I'll try.

 

[Samoo]

Maybe late to do anything this year, but you should be able to find a few guys here that would be willing and able to go in on tix. Heck I would do it. Most games it's just me and my son. Dan97 may be interested. There's gotta be a few people here in the same situation. I'm gonna put this out there in the spring. If I don't forget. There's a 90% chance I forget. But I'll try.

My brother and a handful of his friends have a set of 4 Red Sox season tix. They divy them up in pairs (162 total pairs) using a snake draft before the beginning of the season. You could do the same thing with four or six seats here either figure it out in singles or pairs. I'd be interested but 7,000 miles is a long way to travel even for a UCONN football game.