Football tickets
What? Maryland football fans are now required to pay for the privilege of buying football season tickets for the 2015 season?
For the past many seasons, I have bought three or more season tickets for Byrd Stadium games in section 23 (about the 30-yard line). This year, when I called to renew my tickets for 2015, I was informed by the ticket agent that the cost of eligibility for those seats was $1,300, a Diamondback-level contribution to the Terrapin Club Scholarship Fund.
The agent politely informed me that this has been the policy all along, unknown to me, and it would be enforced this year.
To ease the fan base into this policy demand, I would only have to pay 25 percent of that demand this year, 50 percent for 2016, and 100 percent for 2017 and beyond. For sections 24 and 25, the price demand is $2,200. As you move toward the end zone, the demand decreases to $1,300, to $650 and then to $135.
For many years, I have voluntarily contributed $100 to the scholarship fund.
Is this any way to treat a longstanding loyal fan base? It is an outrageous squeeze on the people.
I will be 80 years old in October and began attending this school’s football games at age 15, about 65 years ago. Then, our team was rated in the top 10 for football, and we were national champions in the early 1950s.
I attended this university in 1953-54 and was a sports reporter for this newspaper before leaving for a long military career. I have returned in recent years through the Golden ID program and even was an academic coach for two football players about 15 years ago.
I can recall many happy tailgates in Lot 1 over the years with my father’s friends and my own gang, most of whom have moved on now to greener pastures. In those days, one could park anywhere before the game for free.
It was really fun. So, I am the “Last of the Mohicans” from my gang attending games, often with my children, two of whom are graduates of this university.
Pregame festivities have improved in some ways. Now, there is free popcorn in the Riggs Alumni Center across from the stadium before kickoff.
So let’s rise up, fan base, and boycott season tickets. I guess I will buy an individual ticket for a game or two. I will attend the pregame festivities of the other home games for the popcorn and hoopla, but then return home to watch it on TV.
Do not count me out for the next bowl game. I have been to some over the years, including last year’s in California.
I hope this letter inspires others. Fellow students, tell your parents and grandparents to boycott football season tickets. Fan base, let’s unite!
John Schaffer is a Golden ID student and a former sports reporter for this newspaper. He can be reached at jaschaff@gmail.com.
