STILLWATER — Oklahoma State announced it will sell student season tickets for football and men's basketball separately starting next season and be admitted to all other sporting events free of charge.
OSU students can purchase a football season ticket for $150 ($21.43 per home game).
The price for a student men's basketball season ticket will be announced at a later date.
"Student tickets will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis,” said Craig Clemons, associate athletic director for external affairs and development.
"This change will make student seating general admission at all venues. It eliminates the football validation process.”
The past policy was students were required to purchase a $150 All Sports Pass that allowed them admittance into all OSU sporting events other than men's basketball which they purchased separately.
The new process allows for students interested in other events such as women's basketball, soccer or baseball, to attend those events at no charge, without having to purchase the All-Sports Pass. The policy changes came, in part, following meetings with student groups.
"The students were very favorable to the proposed changes,” Clemons said. "They valued the fact that football or basketball tickets could be purchased independently of each other. They liked the idea of receiving a "book” of printed gameday tickets like our season ticket holders.”
Under the new policy, students can attend any OSU sports event for free other than football or men's basketball for free by showing a student I.D.
"If you're just a fan of soccer or baseball, and wasn't planning on spending the $150 for an All Sports Ticket, you can attend those games for free,” said OSU assistant ticket manager Craig Bauman.
"We just want our students to show up at these other events.”
OSU will be making a major push for students to purchase football season tickets. Last year OSU sold 9,000 All Sports Passes.
This year the goal is to approach the all-time record of 11,500 student football season tickets.
"Students bring a unique element to our contests,” said athletic director Mike Holder.
"We want to encourage home field and home court advantages at every opportunity through the energy provided by our loyal student fans.”
OSU opens its 2008 football season on Aug. 30 in Seattle against Washington State. The Cowboys home opener is Sept. 7 against Houston.
