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Strong Oregon following creates ticket shortage for Boise State fans
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There are many fans that will be left out of the show come Sept. 20. That show is Boise State University football’s next big athletic event: BSU vs. University of Oregon. Bronco Nation was given the news that Gene Bleymaier, Boise State’s athletic director, had struck a deal with the University of Oregon releasing 2,000 tickets. Priority has been given to the Wrangler level BAA members, season ticket holders and students interested in the match-up. The tickets will be dispersed in the form of a lottery, when it reaches that point. "It is beyond the 2,000," Anita Guerricabeitia, Boise State assistant athletic director/ticket operations said. "I don’t know exactly how many at this point. We’re very close to doing the lottery. I know that there are not enough tickets to go around." Many fans of Boise State football ask the question, "Why only 2,000 tickets?" The answer is as easy as looking at the demand. The University of Oregon has sold out 55 consecutive games in demand to see their football team perform. The demand to see their team face off against an out of conference team with the reputation of Boise State has raised a lot of interest. "Frankly, the Boise State game has garnered the type of interest amongst our ticket holders and donors that is as great as some of our conference games and greater than some conference games," Mike Marlow, senior associate athletic director at the University of Oregon said. "It’s been a ticket that has been in demand from our season ticket holders and donors as well." The fan base at Oregon has a similar type of following as Boise State. Their desire to see their team has factored into the release of tickets to fans. "We do the same thing that it appears Boise State has done," Marlow said. "We issue additional individual game tickets based on priority points and demands to our donors. Like Boise State, we are lucky enough to have great fan interest. We have sold out 55 consecutive games. It is not like we have a lot [of] additional tickets to give. Gene Bleymaier certainly did a great job of making sure he could get as many [tickets] as we could possibly afford to give up." The release of tickets is based on the fan interest of any particular game. "It is different for every school," Garrett Klassey, Oregon director of tickets sales said. "It all depends on how the athletic directors arrange the contracts." Many fans in Oregon remember Broncos’ head coach, Chris Peterson, as their former wide receivers’ coach. Boise State Defensive Coordinator Justin Wilcox can also associate himself with the Ducks. He was a safety and cornerback for them from 1995-99. "I think there are a lot of people locally who are excited because there is an Oregon connection, with Coach Peterson being here. Also, it was Coach Wilcox who played here," Klassey said. "Everyone also remembers the Fiesta Bowl as one of the greatest games ever. I think that it is a big home game for us." Winning is important to both schools. The weight that is carried by this game could make or break bowl contention for the NCAA bowl season of 2008-09. "Every game in college football counts," Klassey said. "You have a rivalry with every school you play because you can’t lose a game in order to play for the ultimate prize." The fact that Eugene is just a hop, skip and jump from Boise creates increased rivalry when the two teams clash. Respect for the Ducks’ program is recognized nation-wide. Boise State fans can contact the Broncos’ ticket office at 426- 4737 and University of Oregon ticket office at 1-800-WEBFOOT or (541) 346-4461. More information is available at goducks.com. The game is Sept. 20 at 1:30 p.m. and will broadcast on Channel 7 KTVB.
KIRK BELL
Sports Coordinator
