Gameday Experience

[Jack Strop]

Since we have a new coach and a new AD, maybe it's time to resuscitate this thread from the dead. I saw a post on reddit today and had heard whispers of something similar happening for MBB games in the past. The athletic department needs to figure out how to get students their damned free tickets - this is an outrage and only serves to gatekeep sporting events for students.

Current Student - "I’m trying to book tickets for the men’s baseball game on Sunday on the Mason Patriots app, and it’s showing a ticket fee of 0 + Additional service charge of 3.50$. Why the hell aren’t the student tickets supposed to be completely free?"

Athletic Department/Ticketmaster Charging Fees for Free Student Tickets

It's Ticketbastard... the most notoriously grubby-greedy-handed monopoly of the past two generations—not all too difficult to see the scam here.

 

[GMUgemini]

Why can’t they just show up with an ID like we used to? It’s not like baseball tickets are in high demand.

 

[MasonFanatic]

There isn't supposed to be a fee. If that happens again they should probably call the ticket office and let them know.

 

[ProfessorCFK]

There isn't supposed to be a fee. If that happens again they should probably call the ticket office and let them know.

The problem is that a lot of mildly-interested students don't have the wherewithal to take the next step of calling the ticket office.

If it doesn't work like it should, they just don't show up (or they post on Reddit). Any barriers to entry for students will limit their likelihood to attend a game. How many students have tried to get their "free" tickets, were surprised by a $3.50 fee, and then decided to just not go?

I've been a season ticket holder for about 14 years now (before that was an undergraduate), but have also been able to utilize free student tickets for the past 6 or so years if I wanted (working on a MS). I tried once to get a student ticket through the app, and the hoops that students have to jump through to claim their "free" tickets for a MBB game are far too many. I wouldn't be surprised if it's a barrier to entry that many just don't even bother with.

I'm starting to feel like a Simpsons meme.

 

[TweederGMU]

The problem is that a lot of mildly-interested students don't have the wherewithal to take the next step of calling the ticket office.

If it doesn't work like it should, they just don't show up (or they post on Reddit). Any barriers to entry for students will limit their likelihood to attend a game. How many students have tried to get their "free" tickets, were surprised by a $3.50 fee, and then decided to just not go?

I've been a season ticket holder for about 14 years now (before that was an undergraduate), but have also been able to utilize free student tickets for the past 6 or so years if I wanted (working on a MS). I tried once to get a student ticket through the app, and the hoops that students have to jump through to claim their "free" tickets for a MBB game are far too many. I wouldn't be surprised if it's a barrier to entry that many just don't even bother with.

I'm starting to feel like a Simpsons meme.

Spot on.... must make it as easy as possible for these kids. Otherwise they aren't going to take the time to go through the hassle to call in or email someone about this fee.

This needs to be fixed.

 

[mkaufman1]

I feel like its still easy for the students to show up to any sporting event. They can show up at the door and get a ticket. They also probably get the emails the athletic department sends out (assuming they still do).

Problem is, it doesn't seem like students are that interested in Mason athletics for the reasons we have beaten the drum about. Hopefully Tony is made aware of the problem and has ideas to get them connected starting in August. I remember Tony/Lamar/Gabe etc used to hand out fliers in the JC to get people to go to games.

 

[EXpatriot13]

I feel like its still easy for the students to show up to any sporting event. They can show up at the door and get a ticket. They also probably get the emails the athletic department sends out (assuming they still do).

Problem is, it doesn't seem like students are that interested in Mason athletics for the reasons we have beaten the drum about. Hopefully Tony is made aware of the problem and has ideas to get them connected starting in August. I remember Tony/Lamar/Gabe etc used to hand out fliers in the JC to get people to go to games.

If they’re being told using the app is the best and easiest way to get a ticket, and there are roadblocks within that process, then that’s a big problem. People are used to using their phones to get into sporting events nowadays; most students might not know you can just show up at the door with your school ID.

Hopefully the staff and AD can think of some ways to drum up student interest with unique giveaways, Mason bball gear/tees, etc…but nothing will help this cause more than winning.

 

[Jack Strop]

Spot on.... must make it as easy as possible for these kids. Otherwise they aren't going to take the time to go through the hassle to call in or email someone about this fee.

This needs to be fixed.

Then, you and @ProfessorCFK know what you gotta do.

 

[MasonFanatic]

This needs to be fixed.

I spoke to a contact in the AD last night. They assured me it will be fixed.

It's like any software problem - you can't fix it until you know about it.

I don't think the complaints here are anything profound or anything that the AD staff aren't already well aware of.

 

[2011WinOverVillanova]

The Mason NIL Collective needs to get the emails/addresses for Mason Alumni. That's low hanging fruit from the Mason Alumni Association. The Mason Alumni Association should give them these leads.

The Athletic Department should do Question and Answer Sessions be it YouTube or at a Sports Bar. These should be every 4 months.

Hewitt to his credit stood at Brion's and answered questions/took the machine gun fire.