Indiana University Athletics
Tickets Sold At Record Pace
5/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Task Force President Bruce Furr welcomed the crowd and introduced the evening's first speaker, Valerie Pena of the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau. Ms. Pena discussed the economic impact of football games on the Bloomington community. Citing a study that was done several years ago, she stated that a sold out football game brings in approximately $3 million to the city, through hotels, restaurants, etc. Thus, football attendance and revenue is just as important to the Bloomington community as it is to IU Athletics.
Athletic Director Rick Greenspan noted that fan support is a two-way street. Just as the Hoosiers appreciate playing in front of capacity crowds, IU student-athletes will continue to be a positive influence in the community. Greenspan said that coaching a collegiate football team is not simply about blowing the whistle and he thanked Coach Terry Hoeppner for the work that he has done to spread the word and generate excitement about IU football in the community and amongst the student body.
Hoeppner was the third speaker of the evening, and he discussed the progress that his team made this spring and the excitement of the upcoming season. He also spoke of the players' excitement to reach out to the community and fellow students. Coach Hoeppner stated that many times when he approaches the team to get volunteers for outreach, he would need only two players, but have twenty volunteers.
Furr returned to the podium to bring the evening to a close. He explained that as they left, each attendee would receive a packet of ticket information. Each person in the room was asked to recruit 10 new season ticket buyers. As the group prepared to leave, Coach Hoeppner left them with some words of encouragement: "Get on the bus early and get the good seats, because it's going to fill up!"
