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3/3/04-
Preferred Seating Plan- Part 1
First things
first. Overall, this stinks. With that said the Preferred Seating Plan (PSP)
is here to stay, so let's take a look at the 'benefits' that season ticket
holders will gain by participating in the program.
Who does it pertain to?
Sections 1-5, 19-24, 41-44, and parts of sections 6, 18, 25, and 40.
The only people not affected by the plan are those in the immediate
end zones.
What does it cost?
If your season tickets fall in the sections affected by the new plan your annual required donation will range
between $125 to $500 per seat.
This is how it
breaks down:
Victors = $500 per
seat
Valiant = $275 per seat
Maize = $250 per seat
Blue = $125 per seat
The program will be phased in starting with the 2005 season when
half of the donation will be due (example: two 50 yard line seats
which in 2006 will require $1000 donation will be half price ($500)
for the 2005 season). For the 2006 season two 50 yard line
seats will require the full $1000 donation. The donations are
in addition to the cost of the actual
tickets.
What do I get for my 'donation'?
The right to keep your season tickets, possibly get better seats,
and membership in the Victors Club. All donations to the
athletic department and University of Michigan will accrue 'points'
for the donor. These points will help donors get benefits such
as priority for away game tickets, bowl games, and possibly extend
to other Michigan sports.
What is this I hear about transferring tickets?
For one year, season tickets holders will be able to transfer their
tickets to another person for an additional $500 donation.
This is a great benefit and one that has been a long time in coming.
According to interviews, this is being done as a way to reward long
time season ticket holders allowing them to transfer tickets to
children, friends, or other family members.
What if I don't pay?
You'll either lose your season tickets or move
to end zones which are, at least for the time being, donation free.
So No One in the End Zone has to pay a Donation?
Current season ticket holders don't have to pay. Any new
season ticket holders will be required to pay $50 annually
per seat.
Evaluation of the Program So Far
Athletic department personnel have done a good job of rolling this
program out. Considering the scope of the plan, details were
hard to come by until the official announcement yesterday.
Athletic department spokespeople have been forthcoming with
information and polished in their delivery. They get high
marks for how they are delivering the difficult news.
No one
likes paying extra money but the bill is a little easier to take
when given good explanation. The phase in program is also a
nice touch. People are being given plenty of time to make
decisions. It was also a really good idea to not start
charging for this season's home schedule which is kind of weak.
More Details are
available at the official Michigan
Preferred Seating Program web site.
Go Blue!
Phil
Callihan
UMGoBlue.COM, Editor-in-Chief
phil@umgoblue.com
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Phil Callihan is the Editor-in- Chief of
UMGoBlue.COM. Phil graduated from the University of Michigan
in 1993 and has been a football season ticket holder since 1994.
Full Bio
Read More of Phil's Columns
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