Student tickets are a problem for everyone

If it feels as if everyone in the Big Ten is trying to figure out their student ticket problem, it's because they probably are.

Earlier this month, the University of Iowa offered a $50 discount to students if they purchase tickets before May 15, dropping the $175 ticket to $125.

The deal extends to incoming freshmen and transfer students, who'll be able to buy in at $125 if they place their season ticket orders by July 31.

'Like many of our peer institutions in the Big Ten Conference and nationally, attendance by UI students at our home football games still is significant - more than 6,000 UI students purchased a season ticket a year ago - but not where we would like it to be. We've talked with our students and they told us that they consider price when making their decision to buy. They also consider what their friends are doing in addition to the need to balance their interest in attending our football games against the challenges of meeting their academic demands and, in many cases, the need to work,” Rick Klatt, associate athletics director for external relations at the UI, said in a release.

Price is one thing schools can control (students and beyond have suggested more interesting opponents at Kinnick, which has a home schedule this season that includes FCS Illinois State and Conference USA North Texas). Engagement, wireless accessibility and overall fun factor remain either nebulous or unattainable.

In 2013, the UI reduced by two the number of sections devoted to students. The previous Kinnick student section held 10,400. Approximately 7,000 were sold in 2013 and then just more than 6,000 last season.

As far as student ticket price point in the Big Ten, Iowa is in the upper half at $175 (which is really only $125 if you act now).

I imagine Iowa students aren't huge fans of 11 a.m. kickoffs. I know I wouldn't have been. I still think the 'fun factor” is worth examining, especially if wireless comms has been deemed impossible (last time I talked to Iowa officials on this, they said it was a work in progress but elusive.)

I know the atmosphere around Kinnick will be brought up. Safety is going to win every argument, especially when you see that the gameday incident numbers trended down from 2013 to 2014. (Please see attached PDF.)

Ohio State

- $272 for the 'Block O” spirit organization; $252 for regular season (seven games); $144 for B1G only (This is 'striking while the iron is hot.” The Buckeyes won the national championship. They have Urban Meyer, the best coach in college football this side of Nick Saban. The Buckeyes are the biggest ticket in a thriving market. It can charge students in the $250 range.)

Penn State

- $218 (This was the price for last year. The school begins student ticket sales in June. Penn State is starting to generate more interest under new coach James Franklin. Wouldn't be surprised to see this go up.)

Wisconsin

- $180 (I think most UW students show just to 'Jump Around.”)

Michigan

- $175 (Welcome to planet earth, Michigan. UM has seen student tickets decline from 21,000 to 14,000 in the last few years. Last year, the cost for students was $295, way out of line with the rest of the B1G. This year, it's closer to right-priced.)

Michigan State - $175 (This is the price for the 2014 ticket. Remember last year when MSU AD Mark Hollis said he was embarrassed and disappointed over the student turnout for the Nebraska game? Here's the link. And Michigan State sold 13,000 student tickets last year.)

Iowa

- $175 (But really $125 if you act now, students.)

Minnesota

- $90 but really $174 now (The $90 deal was open and sold well, but is now off the table. The remaining student-ticket packages are $174 for football and/or men's hoops and hockey.)

Nebraska

- $166 for football (UNL also offers the 'Big Red Ticket,” which allows you into everything for $281.)

Rutgers

- $99 (That is a discounted number.)

Purdue

- $99 (It's called the 'Boarding Pass,” because, you know, Purdue is the Boilermakers.)

Illinois

- $77 (For six games, with Illinois and Northwestern meeting at Soldier Field in the season finale. That's a separate ticket.)

Indiana

- $70

Maryland

- Free* (*If you purchase a student activities pass for $500 - which covers all campus activities, including rec and health equipment - you can enter a lottery for football tickets and for other sports. Nothing guaranteed.)

Northwestern

- Free (NU students get into Ryan Field free with a 'Wildcard,” which is free.)

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@thegazette.com