Students respond: What do you think of the new basketball ticket system?
The new process was made to give every student an equal chance to gain entry to games. The CT asked students what they think about the new policy.
Sarah King
Contributing Writer
Starting this season, tickets to VCU basketball games will only be offered online. The tickets are purchased via an online account through VCU Athletics. If ticket requests for a particular game are over capacity, a lottery system is used to decide who gets into the game.
The new process was made to give every student an equal chance to gain entry to games. The CT asked students what they think about the new policy.
Sydney Ballesteros
Theatre and International Studies major
“I think the new system is much smarter; it’s how the big schools do it, like Duke and (Kansas). I haven’t been to many games in the past, but I’ll be going to more this season, I’m a senior and need to live out my college experience. I definitely think a bigger crowd will come out to games this way, you don’t have to buy your tickets in the rain.”
Tanetta Walston
Social Work master’s program
“I think probably about the same amount of people will come out to the games with the new ticketing system, but it does seem a lot more organized. We used to have to wait in line no matter what the weather was and you couldn’t bring umbrellas or anything inside. It was terrible.”
Stephen Webber
Homeland Security major
“Yeah I’ve heard about the online thing, but there hasn’t been a lot of info on it. I’ve only been to one game, and that was two seasons ago, but I’ll go to more this season. My roommate is pretty big into basketball.”
Bobby Jones
Mass Communications major
“I’m all for the new system. People don’t have to leave their home and you can be lazy. Of course more people are going to buy tickets. I’m definitely going to a lot of games this season, ’cause yeah, sports.”
Courtney Bailey
Business major
“I don’t like it; the process is kind of complicated. I already bought tickets with the new system but it was easier to do it going to the box office. You have to get tickets three games in advance. The old system was just more straightforward.”
Cynthia Skala
Exercise Science major
“I saw an email on the new system briefly, and it seems a lot easier and more convenient. I’m really excited for the season, and I plan on going to pretty much all the games. They’re fun to watch.”
Seems like a pretty biased pool here. The ticketing system is making way for a full on lottery in the coming years, so it wont be easy or convenient for anyone to get in. Also if you claim your tickets and miss two of the games you're penalized for the entire season. My problem with this is that I went to the season opener and the usher just scratched my bar-code out….doesn't this mean that I've already missed 1 game? Also for those who are saying its easier to get in and you don't have to wait are incorrect since you still have to get a seat, yes you're guaranteed a seat but the question is where? Overall it sucks but its just a sign that the team is getting better so that's a plus
This new lottery system is definitely an improvement from the old. My only drawback is that my friends and I always attending together, so it suck when one member is left out through the lottery system. I would love so kind of group ticketing options.