50-50 tickets at games

mchammer · Post by **mchammer** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:37 am

We are trying a new idea. We set up 5 tables, one near each entrance. We are getting away from sending people into the stands and tailgate parties. We will make a few passes through the skyboxes. We will sell through the half, with the winning number announced late in the 3rd quarter or early in the 4th. Each ticket is $1, instead of 10 for $5 etc.... Our crowd isn't used to this so help spread the word. It ought to work once people get used to it. They just set up a few tables at UM and they sell a ton.

Mike Carignan

Post by **kmax** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 9:49 am

mchammer wrote:We are trying a new idea. We set up 5 tables, one near each entrance. We are getting away from sending people into the stands and tailgate parties. We will make a few passes through the skyboxes. We will sell through the half, with the winning number announced late in the 3rd quarter or early in the 4th. Each ticket is $1, instead of 10 for $5 etc.... Our crowd isn't used to this so help spread the word. It ought to work once people get used to it. They just set up a few tables at UM and they sell a ton.

Mike Carignan

Thanks for the heads up Mike. Was this in place against SFA? I know I didn't see anybody selling in the stands or the tailgates, but I didn't notice any tables selling them either. Even the one in front of guest services that you guys used to be at was just full of umbrellas. Will keep an eye out next time though.

By the way, it was nice to see the Men's track team honored at the game. I wish the crowd would have shown more appreciation towards them and their great accomplishment.

mchammer · Post by **mchammer** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 10:06 am

I did not supervise the last 50-50 but I was told that there was a table near there, and that it sold the highest total. Maybe it was not in the usual spot. Realizing that sales were off some went into the stands which helped. I appreciate the feedback as I will supervise the 50-50 at the next game.
I thought the crowd response to our track team was fine. They are there to watch the game and all that goes with it. Our men are very proud of their championship rings by the way- hard earned.
But we would like to intrude on the spectators less with 50-50. There are so many vendors hitting on fans at the game. Also, we don't want to burden our athletes with the reponsibilty of having to push tickets, and be responsible for a wad of cash. We also want more control over the sales. If a stranger with a generic looking roll of tickets claims to be 50-50, is that person really what he says? He is if he's at the table.
It will take some time for fans to accept the change.

Mike Carignan

Post by **kmax** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 10:16 am

I totally understand the change in the way of selling, and it should be alot easier on your athletes. Like you said, just need to get the word out on the change which I am sure BobcatNationer's will be happy to do!

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 10:27 am

The winning ticket holder made over $1500 last weekend. This is the largest that I can remember during a regular season game.

I personally like the idea of an arm's length for $5. I know it's all psychological; just my opinion. I'll still be buying regardless.

Also, I do like the idea of selling before the game out to the tailgaters. More people probably head in earlier then I do before game time. But, one of the reasons some might not have seen the booths last weekend was because there was sooooo many people coming in at a time that it was a zoo down there to start the game.

mchammer · Post by **mchammer** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:46 pm

Thanks for the input. We realized that we were wasting a lot of tickets with the armlength deal. It was a fun idea, but it slowed us down and we kept running out of tickets. You'd see them all over the seats and on the ground after the game. UM started the $1 per ticket idea and we've always wanted to try it.
The prize was around $1500 more than once last year, and even higher. Cat Griz has been like $3500 as I recall. UM gives more than one prize, but we'll stick with one. If $5000 worth of tickets sell, the prize is $2500. The other $2500 is split between track and the booster office. If the winner does not claim the prize it goes to track and the booster office.

Mike Carignan

Ponycat · Post by **Ponycat** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 2:54 pm

Is it just me or do you get a lot of full pots. Maybe I'm always in the bathroom or Mony Mony is playing too loud but I never hear or see the number announced. I quit buying them because of this. I'm sure it's a personal problem but a problem none the less.

mchammer · Post by **mchammer** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 5:11 pm

Do you mean unclaimed prizes? We had a few last year. I ask the announcer to repeat the number when this happens. I wonder if the number is heard clearly in the skyboxes? We're interested in suggestions. I wish that people would claim the money and do it quickly. Otherwise we just wait by the booth until the game is over.

50-50 tickets at games

50-50 tickets at games

Re: 50-50 tickets at games