As an alumnus, parent of a recent grad, and parent of a current Sophomore, I was disappointed to learn about the most recent change in football ticket policy as it relates to parents of current students. For many years, parents have been able to purchase four tickets to two pre-selected games, typically games that are likely to generate lower overall ticket demand.
Over the years, this has allowed our family to treat grandparents, godparents and siblings to their first experience of a Notre Dame football weekend. But parents of present and future students will not have that luxury, because the new policy guarantees only two tickets to one game - a 75 percent reduction!
Be prepared to tell your grandparents, brothers, sisters and other relatives to watch the games on NBC, because if Mom and Dad are traveling out for a game, there won't be any additional tickets. It is curious that this change occurs at the same time that 5,000 season tickets have miraculously become available, as long as one is willing to spend $3,000 to $5,000 per year for two tickets. Even more disturbing is the fact that one need not have any relationship to the University to purchase these tickets, as long as an additional $1,500 contribution is made.
Apparently the price of admission to the "Notre Dame Family" has been set at $4,500 to $6,500. I can certainly understand that some changes to the parent ticket policy might be necessary due to increased demand, but wouldn't it make more sense to guarantee four tickets to one game (still a 50 percent reduction)? Then the true extended Notre Dame family will continue to have the opportunity to experience the tradition of a football weekend.
Mark Thimons
alum
Class of 1978
Nov
