10sgroup2

==** CONSULTANTS ** : Marissa Ruocco, Ryan Finnegan, Allison Rosecan, Philip Gasparovic  == ==** CONTACT: ** 222 Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 ==

(302) 576-1234
April 20, 2010

Mr. Bernard M. Muir Director of Athletics & Recreation Services University of Delaware 12 South College Avenue Newark, Delaware 19716

Dear Mr. Muir:

Thank you for your recent inquiry concerning the problems you are having with your current method of distributing football tickets to students. We are aware of your student-centered outlook on athletics at the University of Delaware and your commitment to creating an ideal environment for all UD students and student-athletes. As you mentioned in our telephone conversation, your method of distributing football tickets to students is problematic and has met with widespread disapproval from the student body. The enclosed brief statement shows how Collegiate Sports Solutions can improve your student ticket distribution process. In doing so, we can benefit the University by maximizing student support for Blue Hen Athletics that you have stated is a tremendous source of pride and passion for the people of Delaware. Our proposal outlines the specific services our organization offers and indicates our experience. It also provides a schedule of activities we would conduct for you to increase student satisfaction and support and further promote the tradition of excellence established by UD student-athletes on the field and in the classroom. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions about the proposal. I look forward to working with you and the entire Blue Hen community.

Sincerely,

Ryan C. Finnegan Senior Vice President, Consulting Division

Enclosure



Collegiate Sports Solutions & Consulting Services, Inc.
= ** Proposal ** =



Collegiate Sports Solutions proposes to improve the University’s method of distributing student tickets for football games that will increase student attendance at games, increase student satisfaction, and better promote The University of Delaware’s strategic plan, “The Path to Prominence.”

The serious problem of widespread student dissatisfaction with the current football ticket distribution system has resulted in some decreased student attendance at football games and decreased school spirit and pride as evidenced from an preliminary, informal opinion survey of a sampling of students. The University has ambitious goals to raise UD’s athletic profile and bring more fans and friends to the University. By enhancing UD’s athletic footprint, the school hopes to create a lasting impact that will allow UD to achieve even greater success in the future. However, declining student attendance at football games due to an unsatisfactory method of ticket distribution is thwarting these goals. In the past, students presented their student ID card at the football stadium on gamedays and were admitted to the student seating section on a first-come, first-served basis. Currently, students wishing to attend a home football game must pick up their complementary tickets at the box offices of the Bob Carpenter Center or the Trabant University Center during the week before the game. Student tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a limit of one ticket per student with a valid UD identification card. Students cannot pick up tickets for other students. There is no mechanism to reserve student tickets and pick them up at the stadium on the day of the game. There is also no online mechanism for electronically issuing student tickets similar to how airlines issue e-tickets. Most importantly, students cannot get any tickets whatsoever on gamedays. From our preliminary inquiries with students and the ticket office personnel, and based on telephone conversation with you, we’ve determined that there is a high level of dislike of and frustration with the current method. This method was characterized as horrible, inefficient, unfair, time-consuming, and unnecessarily burdensome. Many students don’t go to games now because they didn’t get their paper tickets the week before the game. The rationale for the current system was that the newer method would guarantee students seats at games. However, many students stated that even when they did pick up tickets the week before, they were denied admission on game day because of lack of seating – despite the fact that they held a valid ticket issued by the University. They were denied seating after waiting in two separate lines, in two different places, on two different days. Other times, students picked up paper tickets and then, for whatever reason, chose not to attend. Those seats remained empty. Clearly, the current system is problematic and the student body is unhappy with the arrangement. Student support is fundamental to the success of collegiate athletics. At UD, student attendance steadily declined since the inception of the current system and that is negatively impacting the goals of UD Athletics.



By studying your requirements for distributing student tickets, we can develop an improved system that will meet both the needs of the University as well as the needs of the student body, thereby increasing the fan base and overall athletic experience for all Blue Hen followers. Moreover, a more efficient system will decrease costs to the University by eliminating unnecessary or redundant labor costs.



Their opinions of the current system Their opinions of the former system Their suggestion for improvements to the system Note: Survey sample size will be dependent on the number of students whose classes use the Sakai system and the level of response from the students. Students Student-athletes Coaches Staff in the Athletic Department Faculty Administration Our solution for implementing a more efficient, effective, and satisfying system of distributing student tickets to UD football games.
 * 1) We will review the current and past methods of distributing student tickets.
 * 2) We will conduct a survey of the student body utilizing a web mail questionnaire sent through the university’s Sakai system, to ascertain:
 * 1) We will conduct in-person interviews with:
 * 1) We will collect evidence from other colleges and universities with football programs similar to UD regarding their methods of distributing student football tickets.
 * 2) We will analyze the data collected and present our findings for you.
 * 3) We will present to you:



Collegiate Sports Solutions and Consulting Services, Inc. was established in 1975 in the New York metropolitan area. Since then, we expanded throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and are now a nationally recognized forerunner in college athletics consulting services. While we are a national organization, we take pride in giving individual attention to our clients and building long-term relationships. We have worked with many of the football teams UD has challenged on the playing field, such as: Villanova University, University of Richmond, University of Rhode Island, James Madison University, Hofstra University, University of New Hampshire, and University of Albany. We have consulted with over 1200 college athletic departments.

Based on the scope of the project outlined above, the charge for our services is $16,000.00. This quote is based on an hourly rate of $200 per hour for our analysts’ services and for our final report.







** CONTACT: ** 222 Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 (302) 576-1234
May 10, 2010

Mr. Bernard M. Muir Director of Athletics & Recreation Services University of Delaware Bob Carpenter Center South College Avenue Newark, Delaware 19716

Dear Mr. Muir:

Enclosed is the Collegiate Sports Solutions’ Opportunity for Increased Student Support for the University of Delaware’s Football Program Report. This report contains the results of an opinion survey of undergraduate students at the university, an interview with the Manager of Ticket Sales at the university responsible for distribution of student football tickets, a review of student ticket distribution policies at other similarly situated universities, and our suggestions for an improved distribution system that will increase student support for the football program at U.D.

Our research was analyzed by our team of consultants according to the goals of the university with respect to student support of athletics and university’s need for an efficient distribution system.

It is our hope that this report will provide you with the information needed to assess the effectiveness of your method of distributing student football game tickets and the feasibility of implementing improvements to the current system. Please let me know if you have any questions about this report or if you need any further information. I may be reached at (302) 576-1234 or by email at rfinnegan@hotmail.com.

Sincerely,

Ryan Finnegan Senior Vice President, Consulting Division

Enclosure

Title Page (goes here). It’s page 1. But, it’s not paginated. And, its not actually ‘labeled’ Title Page in a heading. (It will have to be graphically designed to match the look of our proposal. See examples of three different reports under Writing Resources on our Sakai page for proper elements.)



This report examines the effectiveness of the University of Delaware’s system for distributing tickets to home football games to currently enrolled U.D. students. This report also analyzes how other colleges and universities with similar football programs carry out the process of admitting enrolled students to their own home football games. The purpose of this report is to provide the administration at the University of Delaware with the information necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the current student ticket distribution system and evaluate whether improvements to the system should be made. A sampling of twenty randomly selected University of Delaware undergraduate students were surveyed during the week of April 26, 2010 via email and discussion forums in the Sakai system regarding their level of satisfaction with the previous method of ticket distribution versus the current ticket distribution system. They were also surveyed regarding their perception of the biggest problem with the current system. Lastly, they were asked how they would like to see the system improved in the future. The results of the survey are as follows: 100% - stated the previous system worked better than the new one. 100% - stated they disliked the current system. 71% - stated the biggest problem with the current system was that they were required to wait in line for tickets the week before the game and were still denied admittance to the games due to lack of adequate student seating – despite having a validly issued ticket. 100% - stated they would like to see the previous system reinstated. The above data shows that there is a high level of student dissatisfaction with the current system. Furthermore, students desiring to attend football games and who comply with the requirements of the current system are actually being turned away from the games. Also, there is a practice among students who enter the stadium where they drop their tickets down to their friends who did not get tickets, further complicating the issue by filling the student seating with students who didn’t comply with proper ticketing procedure, thereby denying seating to those students who did follow procedure. When students stand in line the week before a game to get a ticket and then standing in line again at the stadium on game day only to be turned away, they are unlikely to return for future games, thus creating negative feelings for the football program. Clearly, these factors are at odds with the well-publicized goals of the University of Delaware, to promote school spirit and generate student support for U.D. athletics, especially the highly visible football program where the school is always looking to increase its fan base. Having established that there is a high level of student dissatisfaction with the current system distributing football tickets and admitting students to home games, our consultants then studied and analyzed how twenty comparative schools handled ticketing and admitting their students. We reviewed the schools’ official websites where their official policies regarding the distribution of student football tickets are posted. The most salient results of that analysis show that 90% of the schools surveyed distribute tickets as opposed to only requiring presentation of a student ID card to gain admittance. In this area, U.D. is among the majority. Moreover, the vast majority of schools (89%) guarantee a seat to every student possessing a valid ticket. However, the University of Delaware was among the minority (11%) who did not guarantee seats to students with tickets. Importantly, our research shows that most schools (83%) have systems that allow students to reserve their football tickets online. They then can either print their tickets or pick up their tickets from designated campus locations. There is no waiting in line for a ticket. At present, U.D.’s system does not have any online component. We conclude from our analysis that U.D.’s method of distributing student tickets could be modified in order to improve efficiency, improve student satisfaction, and improve student support for the football program. This will further the university goal of promoting the image of and increasing the fan base of the football program, while making the student happier. Our recommendation for modifying the ticket distribution system is to incorporate an on-line student ticket reservation component, in a first-come, first-served basis. When the capacity of the student seating section is reached, no further tickets can be reserved. This will guarantee there is a seat for every student with a ticket. Tickets can either be printed by the students or picked up at designated campus locations. To compensate for ‘no shows,’ a small number of additional tickets (1%) could be reserved. To avoid the problem of students throwing their tickets down to other students without tickets, ticket holders could be issued bracelets upon entering the stadium. These are not easily removed without damage to the bracelet, thereby discouraging the practice of students getting in without having their own ticket.



The purpose of this report is to provide the University of Delaware administration with the information necessary for assessing the best way to distribute student tickets to football games that aligns with their stated goals regarding support for university athletics.

The ongoing problem of student dissatisfaction with football ticket procedures arose when the University recently changed their policy regarding student ticket distribution. Previously, students were admitted to football games merely by presenting a valid student ID card at the stadium entrance on game days. When the student seating capacity was reached, no more students were admitted. This policy was changed three years ago.

SOURCE? CITATION?

Now, students must wait in line for tickets the week prior to the game at the Trabant University Center or the Bob Carpenter Center. There is a limit of one ticket per student with a valid UD identification card. A valid ID must be presented upon pick-up, and students cannot pick up tickets for other students. After waiting in sometime long lines to get tickets, students must then wait in another line at the football stadium to gain admittance. According to the U.D. athletics website, “Advance pick-up will provide UD students an opportunity to guarantee their seats to all six home games to be played at Delaware Stadium.” BE SURE TO CITE THIS PAGE IN YOUR WORKS CITED. SEE THE HANDOUT FOR THE CORRECT FORMAT.

Despite this statement however, students with advance tickets are in fact frequently turned away on game days due to lack of seating. This situation created a high level of frustration from student who have waited on two different lines and possess a validly issued ticket. Many times, students who were turned away did not attempt to attend other games. A full 100% of the students surveyed did not like the current method of distributing tickets and admitting students to games.

Interestingly, even the Manager of Ticket Sale at U.D., Barbara Flemming is “not thrilled with how the system is working.” She stated that she is aware that the students are very unhappy with the current system. She also stated that she has received a number of complaints about the ticket distribution system. Importantly, she expressed to us that the university always welcomes opinions from the students and would welcome a report from us regarding the success or failure of the current system and suggestions for improvement.

DID YOU INTERVIEW HER OR WAS THIS QUOTATION FOUND ELSEWHERE? A PERSONAL INTERVIEW NEEDS TO BE NOTED IN YOUR WORKS CITED BELOW.

This negative student opinion is at odds with the university’s goals to promote school spirit and foster pride in UD’s athletic teams. Current students eventually become alumni that the university depends on to support their athletic programs. Therefore, the level of student satisfaction concerning issues of efficiency and fairness can be a predictor of future levels support for U.D. athletics.

Through our research, survey, and interview methods, the information in this report details our results and recommendation for the most efficient and rewarding system of distributing student tickets to football games.


 * Procedure

Results

Conclusions

Recommendations

Back Matter: Works Cited

Appendices** (if necessary). (The questions asked for the student survey should go here. Maybe also the interview)



1. Opinions of Current and Past Methods Although we have identified the current ticketing method as being inefficient and unpopular, the students of UD are ultimately the 'customers' in this situation, and as such their opinions were taken into account. There are also many UD employees who both have a hand in administering ticketing policy and dealing with student ticketing issues. We did not want to ignore either group while conducting research and ultimately creating a solution.

A survey was developed and distributed to seventeen students at UD. The students who were surveyed were all previously existing contacts of our group, but were able to answer the survey in an unbiased and objective manner. The questions were developed by our group and were deemed to be fair and informative. As a group, we collectively brainstormed to develop a list of questions that we thought would be appropriate to pose to employees at both UD and other universities. Specifically, Stacey L. Bunting-Thompson, UD's Associate Director of Athletics for External Relations was contacted and subsequently interviewed. Ms. Bunting-Thompson was kind enough to field all of our questions concerning both the old and new method of ticket distribution. Although new to the position, her insight was helpful in allowing us to gain an understanding of the administration's rationale and comments that students have made to the Athletic Department.

2. Extensive research of the ticketing procedures of other universities and colleges was performed. UD is not alone in its aim to best serve its students, as other Universities certainly have to deal with the daunting task of administering student tickets as fairly and effectively as possible. Athletic-specific websites along with conversations with athletic department personnel were utilized to gain an understanding of the ticketing procedures at other schools.

Specifically, a resource linking to the ticketing pages of a wide range of universities (http://www.googlesyndicatedsearch.com/u/villanova?hl=en&domains=villanova.edu&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=student+game+tickets&btnG=Search ) was utilized in order to gather information on how other schools handle the ticketing procedure. The information from each different school was noted and later analyzed and compared.

3. The results of the surveys, interviews, and policies observed were then compiled and analyzed. This process involved organizing a list of all of the schools included in our research and noting their ticketing method. Although the most widely-used system could be viewed as being 'the best,' we also took into account the various interviews and surveys to come to our conclusions. Finally, what may work well at one school may not work well at UD. The feasibility of a system being successfully implemented at UD was also taken into account.

Results of Student Survey:
 * **Results:** || **Percent of sample:** ||
 * Believe the previous method of distributing tickets worked better and wanted it back. || 100% ||
 * Students who said they did not like the current distributing system. || 100% ||
 * Students who said they would like to see the old system in the future || 100% ||
 * Students who said they are annoyed at the new distribution system, because they have to wait in line and then get turned away || <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 70%;">71% ||  ||

Findings from Other Universities:
 * **Information:** || **Number of Schools** || **%** || **Schools** ||
 * Student’s receive free admission || 7/20 || 35% || Towson, UVirginia, UFlorida, Rutgers, UD, FSU, San Diego State ||
 * Students have to pay a fee for admission || 13/20 || 65% || UKentucky, WVU, Ohio State, UIowa, UTexas, UAlabama, UIllinois, UGeorgia, Boise State, UMissouri, UCal, UHawaii, Penn State ||
 * Do not distribute tickets to football games (i.e present student ID on gameday) || 2/20 || 10% || Towson, UVirginia ||
 * Distribute tickets to football games || 18/20 || 90% || UKentucky, UFlorida, WVU, Rutgers, Ohio State, UD, FSU, UIowa, UTexas, UAlabama, UIllinois, UGeorgia, Boise State, UMissouri, San Diego State, UCal, UHawaii, Penn State ||
 * Reserve tickets online and pickup or print || 15/18 || 83% || UKentucky, WVU, UFlorida, Rutgers, Ohio State, FSU, UIowa, UTexas, UAlabama, UIllinois, UGeorgia, UMissouri, UCal, UHawaii, Penn State ||
 * Pick up ahead of time at ticket booth || 3/18 || 17% || UD, Boise State, San Diego State ||
 * Student not guaranteed seat with ID system? (i.e student seating limit) || 2/2 || 100% || Towson, UVirginia ||
 * Student not guaranteed a seat with ticket || 2/18 || 11% || WVU, UD ||
 * Student guaranteed a seat with ticket || 16/18 || 89% || UKentucky, UFlorida, Rutgers, Ohio State, FSU, UIowa, UTexas, UAlabama, UIllinois, UGeorgia, Boise State, UMissouri, San Diego State, UCal, UHawaii, Penn State ||

Summary of distribution methods, gathered from each school's Athletic Department's website.

Students swipe I.D card on game day, but there is a limit to 3,000 student seats. After that section is full then students are not guaranteed to get into the game. There is no fee for students.
 * __1. Towson University__** -

Students swipe I.D card on game day along with their tickets that they reserved online. Students can purchase student season tickets online and reserve seats together with up to fifty other students. They then have to pick up their tickets before game day. Students can also pick up single tickets for a game that has a fee of $5 per ticket.
 * __2. University of Kentucky (UKentucky)-__**

Students swipe I.D card on game day, but there is a limit of 13,000 student seats. After that section is full then students are not guaranteed to get into the game. There is no fee for students.
 * __3. University of Virginia (UVirginia)-__**

Students swipe I.D card on game day along with their tickets that they reserved online after they have paid an athletic fee. If there is a greater number of students who attempt to reserve tickets online than the actual number of tickets allowed, then the school goes off a Loyalty system (a.k.a lottery system) to choose the students who get the tickets (i.e Seniority, who has been to more games, etc). There is a limit of 11,000 student seats, but 12,500 student tickets are distributed due to no shows.
 * __4. West Virginia University (WVU)-__**

Students swipe I.D card on game day along with their tickets that they reserved online. They give out tickets based on a lottery system and there is no fee for tickets.
 * __5. University of Florida (UFlorida)-__**

Students must bring their printed ticket and valid ID in order to enter a game. They can reserve their ticket online prior to the game. There is not a fee for single game tickets.
 * __6. Rutgers University-__**

Students order tickets online, but they have certain dates that students can order depending on their rank. Student seat is limited so students without a ticket will not be permitted. On game day you will need to bring a valid I.D and ticket, and there is a $5 fee per game.
 * __7. Ohio State-__**

Students have to pick up tickets at a ticket booth on first come first serve basis. There is no fee for a ticket, but even if you have a ticket you are not guaranteed to receive a seat on game day. On game day you need to bring a valid ID and ticket.
 * __8. University of Delaware (UD)-__**

Student seating is on a first come, first serve basis. Students have to order tickets online prior to the game. On game day they need to bring a valid I.D and their ticket. There is no fee for singe game tickets. They also have a lottery based ticket distribution system.
 * __9. Florida State University (FSU)-__**

Students have to purchase season tickets( 7 home game tickets) for $168 about a year in advance. This is based on a first come first serve basis. On game day a valid ID and tickets have to be presented.
 * __10. University of Iowa (UIowa)-__**

Students who purchase the LASP Season Ticket for $150 will be guaranteed a seat to all home games. These tickets can be purchased online and the ticket will be sent via email. Students who do not sign up for LASP will not be guaranteed a seat at a game. On game day a valid ID and ticket need to be presented.
 * __11. University of Texas (UTexas)-__**

Students have to purchase a certain package and order tickets online in order to be guaranteed a seat to the game. On game day they need to present a valid ID and ticket.
 * __12. University of Alabama (UAlabama)-__**

The student section is first come, first served basis. Students have to purchase tickets online prior to the game. On game day they need to present a valid id and ticket.
 * __13. University of Illinois (UIllinois)-__**

Students have to purchase tickets prior to the game and must have a valid student ID. Students have to purchase a package and may not choose just single game tickets. On game day they have to present a valid id and ticket.
 * __14. University of Georgia (UGeorgia)-__**

Students have to pick up tickets at designated ticket booths. They are based on a first come first serve basis. Students have to pay a fee for tickets. Each student can pick up a maximum of three tickets (1 for themselves and 2 for other students). On game day they have to show a valid ID and ticket.
 * __15. Boise State-__**

Students have to order tickets online for a fee. There is a limit of 13,000 student tickets and they are first come first serve. On game day, students have to present a valid ID and ticket and then will receive a wristband in order to enter the stands.
 * __16. University of Missouri (UMissouri)-__**

Students are admitted to the game for free and have to pick up a ticket prior to game day at a ticket booth. Students have to show their valid ID and ticket on game day. Tickets are distributed on a game to game basis and there is a 6,400 student limit.
 * __17.San Diego State-__**

For a fee, students can order season tickets online. If there are any available tickets left then students have the option to purchase single game tickets. Students who have tickets are guaranteed a seat in the game and they have to present their ID and ticket on game day.
 * __18. University of California (UCal)-__**

Students have to purchase tickets online for a fee. These are first come first serve, but you are guaranteed a seat on game day. You have to present a valid ID and ticket on game day in order to get in.
 * __19. University of Hawaii (UHawaii)-__**

Students must present a valid ID and ticket on game day. Students have to purchase tickets for a fee online prior to the game. The tickets go on sale different dates depending on the rank of students. It is a first come first serve basis.
 * __20. Penn State University-__**

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> The research phase of this project included both quantitative and qualitative information. The hard data gathered was carefully analyzed, with specific figures and percentages calculated when necessary. The qualitative data was processed so as to ascertain the main points and concerns of those interviewed. After reviewing all of the information that was gathered and taking into account issues that are unique or specific to the University of Delaware, we have identified two potential solutions that could be implemented.

1. Implement an online ticketing solution Of the eighteen schools in our survey who do have a ticket distribution system, fifteen have an online interface for students to reserve seats prior to the event. This system is popular at very large schools that have prominent football programs. Students log into their student accounts (similar to UD's UDSIS interface) and are able to request tickets to specific games. The request period opens a set period of time before the event - usually one week in advance. The request period then closes, and as long as the number of requests is less than the number of available seats, every student who made a request is granted a ticket. If demand outnumbers supply, a loyalty or lottery system is typically put into effect. Students are given a set amount of points according to class (ex. Seniors receive 4 points, Juniors 3 points, and so on). Those with the most points are usually given the best odds of securing tickets. Students are typically allowed to cancel their request without penalty if they do so within a specified time frame. If the request is not canceled within the time frame or if the student does not actually attend the game, a predetermined point penalty is assessed and they will be less likely to secure tickets for upcoming events. On the day of the event students print their tickets and present them along with a student ID card to gain admittance to the stadium. Tickets are scanned and traced back to the student's account in order to assess no-show penalties when appropriate. Seating is first come, first serve. This method would work well at UD for several reasons, the first and foremost being that it gives UD students an easy and convenient way of securing tickets to football games. Also, students have an incentive to either cancel their request or to refrain from requesting altogether if they cannot attend an event. This is a major improvement over the current system, where there is no penalty for taking a student section ticket and subsequently not using the ticket. Secondly, this solution implements a fair and logical manner of distributing tickets in the event of supply not being able to meet demand. Lastly, if the Athletic Department knew how many students were attending a specific event before the day of, they could potentially open sections of the student section to the public and sell the seats at full price. This, of course, would only apply if demand was less than supply, but that quite often seems to be the case in UD's student section.

There is, however, one drawback of this solution. Although much of the necessary infrastructure is already in place, there would still be some need for modification of the UDSIS system. The University would need to consult with it's ERP provider in order to implement such a system. There, of course, would be a cost associated with an addition such as this, and there would likely be only a moderate financial gain recognized by the University (in the form of additional ticket sales when there are extra seats in the student section, and also by eliminating the need to staff ticket pick-up booths during the week). Thus, the University would ultimately have to consult with its ERP provider in order to procure an estimate for such an implementation, and then decide if the budget for such an undertaking is available.

2. Implement previous ticketing system Alternatively, the University could revert back to its old method of distributing football tickets on the day of the event and abandon the current method. A poll of UD students showed that this course of action would be well-received, and the University already has the ability and knowledge to make such a change. Before the current method was implemented, most students were satisfied with the method of swiping their ID's to gain admittance to football games. There were no issues with being penalized for not showing, nor were there frequent instances of students being denied tickets due to space restraints. Most importantly, switching from the current method to the previous method would save the University money as it could reduce staffing at ticket pick-up booths during the week. However, this method is not perfect, and, in our opinion, should only be resorted to if the online ticketing system discussed above is deemed to be too costly to implement. The day-of method does not allow the athletic department to know beforehand the number of students expected to attend the event, and thus the entire student section must be reserved for students - there could be lost revenue from not being able to sell open seats to the general public. Also, this method may unfairly distribute tickets in the event that more students show than there are seats available.

To summarize, we highly recommend implementing an online ticketing system. Such a system, if implemented properly, would eliminate student complaints over an inefficient ticketing process. From the student's point of view, the system is as easy as requesting a ticket, printing it out, and arriving at the game. From the University's point of view, accurate attendance predictions can now be achieved and such a system can easily accommodate significant growth should UD pursue a larger football program in the future. Additionally, an online system can easily be used for other UD sporting events as well.