Virginia Tech has distributed more than 14,000 tickets for Sugar Bowl
After originally estimating that it would sell 10,000 of its 17,500 allotted Sugar Bowl tickets, Virginia Tech representatives told the Washington Post Tuesday morning that it has distributed more than 14,000.
The newspaper reports that the number is a bit misleading:
Virginia Tech has actually sold 10,243 tickets and, through the school’s proxy program, fans have purchased another 409 tickets that will be distributed to military personnel and various New Orleans charity organizations.Sandy Smith, Virginia Tech’s assistant athletic director for ticketing services, said Tuesday an additional 4,000 tickets will be distributed to military personnel with the cost being picked up by a combination of the school and the (Atlantic Coast Conference), because both would have to cover the cost of unsold tickets anyway.
Despite the attention paid to Virginia Tech's slow ticket sales -- a target since the Hokies were chosen over higher-ranked schools because of their fan base's ability to fill a stadium -- athletic director Jim Weaver has maintained he expects between 15,000 and 20,000 fans to attend the Jan. 3 game against Michigan (8:30 p.m., ESPN). Many are opting to purchase tickets through the less-expensive secondary market, he has said.
Comments
TcFlint
Thu, Dec 29, 2011 : 2:50 p.m.
Michigan has sold nearly 16,000 of their 17,500 allotment and will have between 20,000 and 25,000 at the game. Much better sales for Michigan than for Virginia Tech.
Tru2Blu76
Tue, Dec 27, 2011 : 6:11 p.m.
It would be self-defeating to demean Virginia Tech's "draw" appeal. I'd much rather see Hokies fans grabbing every last ticket available. The whole purpose of football games is to fill stadiums with enthused fans. Just being accurate: the Hokies program is way behind college programs like Michigan Football which have been consistently successful for decades AND highly effective at promotional strategies. It's easy to forget that, prior to 1971, Michigan typically fell short of filling its own 100,000 + seat stadium. Michigan overcame that and their own problems with post-season bowl attendance. Virginia Tech can do the same: but not based on a few good seasons.
Tru2Blu76
Tue, Dec 27, 2011 : 7:17 p.m.
@Shankar: what you say is also true. I just didn't think it appropriate that this article seems to make VTs "estimates" and "claims" look bad. They ARE trying and I for one think this will be a good match up. I'm glad to learn from you that there will be more Hokies fans than indicated in the article. Michigan's brand recognition and popularity amazes even me (and I live within sight of Michigan Stadium). I was visiting Berkeley CA and Yosemite National Park last July - wearing my plain Michigan baseball cap. I was greeted repeatedly on the streets and in that huge, remote park with "Go Blue!" when people spotted my cap. Even a waiter in a Chili's in Phoenix airport responded to my cap! Good luck to you and your team.
Shankar
Tue, Dec 27, 2011 : 6:41 p.m.
True comments. We have been good in Football only since the late 90s, and only became nationally visible after Vick took us to the NC game is 1999-2000 season. Michigan's tradition & dominance makes it a much bigger brand than VT. The alumini base for Michigan is also much bigger, richer and national. Michigan has not been to a BCS bowl in 10 years and so eager fans bought 15000 tickets, like we did back in those days when we went to the SB in 2005. Having been to multiple ACC championships & OBs, the fans have figured out they can save money by getting on stub hub ($15 today) instead of forking over $120 for some crappy seats in the EZ or nose bleed. There will be a lot of Hokies & Wolverines... they just did not buy their tickets from the school. In fact we voiced our opinion to our blogger Andy Bitter. Having this game mid week killed it <a href="http://blogs.roanoke.com/andybittervirginiatechfootball/2011/12/18/virginia-tech-fans-sound-off-on-sugar-bowl-tickets/" rel='nofollow'>http://blogs.roanoke.com/andybittervirginiatechfootball/2011/12/18/virginia-tech-fans-sound-off-on-sugar-bowl-tickets/</a>