Northwestern University Athletics
Smart Ticket Initiatives Are Added to Traditional Wildcat Offers
6/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | General
June 11, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. - After holding the line on ticket prices for all fans in 2009, the Wildcats are rolling out new ticket programs for young fans, as well as building on popular traditional promotions from the past. These initiatives are in conjunction with the new youth ticket price that will be available this season, which goes on sale with all single-game tickets on Monday, June 15.
Inspired by a school-record 183 student-athletes who were awarded Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2008-09, NU created the Wildcats' 3.0 program, which rewards children in the eighth grade and under who earn all A's and B's on their report card. Children who qualify for this program can present a copy of their report card to the Wildcat Ticket Office in advance of the game to receive two free tickets to a nonconference game this fall.
The Purrfect Attendance program was developed after conversations with NU Director of Athletics Jim Phillips and several athletic department staff members who traded stories about having perfect attendance in school throughout their childhood.
"As a father it is critical to put an emphasis at an early age on the importance of the educational environment, which is why we are creating programs that reward students for good grades and attending class, as well as programs like our Bound for Success reading program that encourages children to read all year long," said Phillips, who had several years of perfect attendance at Our Lady Victory in Chicago. "In addition to these programs, our student-athletes continue to be incredibly active role models by taking part in community programs that are run by the area schools."
"I remember getting Mickey and Minnie Mouse paper dolls at the end of the year when I had perfect attendance in kindergarten," said Tracie Hitz, associate director of athletics for sales and marketing. "I thought I was pretty special because of that and I ended up having perfect attendance the next 12 years of school. They stopped giving prizes after kindergarten, but I still took pride in the certificates I received through the years."
The 'Cats won't be giving mice as prizes to the children in the eighth grade and under who had perfect attendance during the 2008-09 season. Instead, children who present a copy of their perfect attendance certificate before September 4 will receive a Family Plan season ticket package, which is two adult season tickets and three children's season tickets for the Wildcat Football games in 2009.
Of course Phillips and the Wildcats also promote the importance of having fun with your family and friends, which can be seen in his efforts to make it even more affordable for fans to attend multiple Northwestern football games this season. Two of the most popular promotional days every year are North Shore Community Day (NSCD) Take a Kid to the Game Day (TAKG). Each year, the Wildcat home opener is named NSCD, which means all residents of the North Shore can purchase end zone tickets to the September 5 game against Towson at half-price, which is only $13 each. Last year, the mayors of the participating towns were the honorary captains for the coin toss, members of the community were invited on the field to form the team tunnel for the Wildcats to run through to start the game and Julia Belsky, the daughter of Highland Park mayor, Mike Belsky, sang the national anthem.
Take a Kid to the Game Day at Ryan Field offers two free admissions for kids in the eighth grade and under with each paid adult for the Wildcats' game against Miami (Ohio) on October 10. That offer breaks down to less than $9 per person when fans purchase these tickets on the day of the game.
These are just two of the incredible ticket discounts the Wildcats offer every season. Click here for more information about the ticket promotions so you can make plans to cheer on the 'Cats this season. Single-game tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. Monday (June 15) and can be purchased here or by calling the Ticket Office at 847.491.CATS.
For help finding the best deal your Wildcat outing, please call the Ticket Office or e-mail them at cat-tix@northwestern.edu. To stay up to date on the latest Wildcat promotions, please join us on Facebook. For help planning your travel and tailgating for the game, please e-mail wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu.
