In a move that promises to level the playing field for all students, Penn State Athletics has decided to shift the sale of student season football tickets for the upcoming season.
On April 2, Penn State Athletics announced that the traditional, first-come, first-served frenzy has been replaced by a randomized lottery system. A system, aimed at redefining and perfecting the ticket sale process for Nittany Lions fans.
Long gone are the days of setting alarms for the crack-of-dawn ticket scramble. Now, students will have a full week to submit their ticket request, which to Penn State Athletics, was aimed at alleviating the pressure of timing and ensuring that every eligible student has guaranteed equal opportunities to secure their coveted ticket passes.
The transition extends beyond the ticket buying itself but has moved the entire purchase and management process to the Penn State Student Account Manager platform. No more Ticketmaster.com, as the new process promises greater convenience to accessing tickets all in one location.
The new lottery system will begin on June 10 and conclude on June 21, still maintaining priority in class order, but will provide a longer window of opportunity to submit their request for tickets. The excitement will peak again the week of June 24 as the selected students will be emailed regarding their student season passes.
This system, made to acknowledge the diverse schedules and locations of the Penn State student body during the summer, has drummed up backlash from the students themselves.
Penn State Athletics stated that they included feedback from parents, students and families when discussing the new lottery season. However, students have taken to social media to discuss their grievances and disapproval of the change.
Some students have voiced concerns about the implications of resale prices and the worry of equal distribution of tickets across different grades and satellite campuses. There has also been discontent among students who were diligently prepared and ready to score their tickets in past summers, as they now find themselves on equal footing with those who were not as proactive in their approach.
The process, meant to emphasize impartiality and ensure fairness, has received mixed reactions from the Penn State student body. Some embracing the prospect of a less stressful ticketing experience, while others hoping Penn State Athletics will change their minds.
As Penn State Football gears up for another exhilarating season, the adoption of this lottery system marks a pivotal moment in the university’s history with the infamous student season ticket process.
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