IU raises ticket prices

The IU Athletics Department has decided to raise non-student ticket prices for football games to offset financial troubles that have plagued the department since the departure of former athletics director Michael McNeely in November of 2002. Last year, the athletics department had a $3.2 million debt, and the IU athletics ticket manager Mike Roberts told The Associated Press the price changes are to combat this deficit.\nDuring the 2002 season, tickets for home games were $32 for the majority of seats in Memorial Stadium, while seats in higher rows went for $26. There was a family area with ticket prices of $24 in rows 39 and higher. \nThis year, ticket prices will be raised to $35, except for higher profile games against the Ohio State Buckeyes, scheduled for October 25, and the Purdue Boilermakers, scheduled for November 22. For these games, fans will be charged $40, due to the large number of visiting fans.\nWhile the higher ticket prices will step on the toes of some IU fans, other aspects of the plan will fare better for IU fans with families. Last year, parents that wanted to sit with their children, who had $12 youth tickets, had to sit in the $24 ticket section. This year, youth tickets will be sold for $10 and they will be allowed to sit anywhere, as long as the parents spend the full $35 dollars for their tickets. \nDespite the changes, IU's ticket prices still rank the University among the Big Ten's cheapest, as home ticket prices range from the cheapest at Wisconsin for $28, $24 or $16, depending on seating, to Michigan and Ohio State which have ticket prices standing at or around $50 per person.