Despite doubled prices, hockey tickets sell out

MARGARET MYERS/Daily Geoff Koch returns for the Wolverines this season, as does the majority of last year's national championship team. The departures, however, were notable ones.

By Mark Francescutti
Daily Sports Writer

Beanie Babies, Tickle Me Elmos and Cabbage Patch Kids all sold out of stores - even at high prices.

Michigan hockey tickets have now done the same.

Despite a price increase that approximately doubled the cost for season tickets, the Michigan ticket office reports that Michigan Hockey tickets have mostly sold out for the entire season.

Thus, 6,100 screaming hockey fans will once again fill Yost Ice Arena, hoping for repeat of a national championship season.

There was, however, a significant drop in the number of student season tickets sold.

Michigan coach Red Berenson wasn't particularly surprised that the tickets sold out so easily.

"When you look at it, nothing has changed," Berenson said. "We haven't changed, I haven't changed, our program hasn't changed."

When the Michigan Athletic Department discovered that the prices they had been charging for years were around half as much as some other comparable schools, the season ticket cost jumped from $85 to $155.

Berenson wanted people to look at it in a more positive light: That there hasn't been a significant price increase for a long time.

"We haven't had a price increase in some seven years; this is unbelievable," Berenson said. "I think maybe it was too good to be true."

Berenson said he was surprised that student sales were down, and that he feels some of the lost student support was caused by media attention to the increased prices.

"The students are a huge part of our fan base," Berenson said. "I'm surprised that the students would (buy less), and I think it may be more about what they read than about what they knew."

Berenson also added that he believes that the price increase won't really affect students in the long run.

"If a student has to pay $2.50 more for a game, I don't think that's a problem," Berenson said. "Now if it is, then he's worrying about the wrong things. Most kids will spend $2.50 on nothing five times a week."

Still want to see Red and Blue?: Season ticket holders may have gobbled up most of the tickets, but as of yesterday, there is still hope for anyone interested in seeing Michigan Hockey.

The annual Blue-White exhibition game will take place tomorrow night. Tickets are on sale at Yost for $4 for adults and $1 for children. All proceeds will go to the Dekers Club - the booster club of the Michigan Hockey team.

10-01-98