Indiana University Athletics
IU Students to Get Free Look at Hoosier Football Saturday
8/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
August 26, 2002
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - As the stress level rises for freshmen this week, Indiana University Athletics is offering the perfect relief from the crowded dorms, the long lines for the elevator, and the racks that either don't list your course, or will not have your book until November.
So come Saturday, when it seems like the duct-taped boxes are increasing instead of being emptied, and your parents and you just need a break, hop in the car (don't worry about the U-Haul attached to it) and head over to the IU football game, where all IU students will be admitted for free with their student ID card.
Indiana University director of marketing David Lovell notes that with school not in session yet, the 4 p.m. kickoff against William & Mary is a great opportunity for students to not only get involved in IU football, but to get some relief from stress that has built up from moving in.
"This game was a late addition to our schedule and with school not starting until Monday, it's so important for us to get the students here for the football game," Lovell said. "I think that this is a chance to give students a taste of all of the new changes and attitudes of IU football."
Parents of Indiana students are also encouraged to attend the season opener. Adults can purchase tickets in the Cream seating for $26 and $10 tickets in the Knothole section.
Indiana will also host a Spirit & Traditions pre-game rally in Assembly Hall at 2 p.m. for all students to attend. The event is targeted primarily to incoming freshmen, but offers many activities for all students to take part in.
Hoosier cheerleaders and the Marching Hundred will be in attendance Saturday, building the spirit of the IU students. Students will learn the IU fight song, view a "welcome" video and be given boomsticks to take into the game. The event is also free.
"This event is an opportunity for freshmen to get orientated with the tradition of IU athletics," said Chad Giddens, assistant director of marketing. "Students will enter Assembly Hall according to their residence center, which always increases the spirit level. We're hoping to have about 3,000 students take part in the event."
Following the Spirit & Traditions event, the students will trail the Marching Hundred to the football stadium and then find their seats in the festival-seat student section. IU has brought back the student-friendly seating due to strong demand from the student body. To keep crowd control in order, IU has hired a new security-usher group to monitor the stands at each home game.
Student tickets are available for $45, which include the five home games following William & Mary.
"The students are our future donors, ticket holders and supporters of our program," said Lovell. "Getting involved now is crucial to the success of our program. Our students can really help us build a strong football program."
