Student tickets not free

JMU hunts for possible home game

FILE PHOTO The JMU faithful have shown up in record numbers this year, breaking the season attendence record by 3,000. The new mark is 76,739, which broke the old one of 73,200.

If you are planning to come back from break early to watch the Dukes play in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, bring your wallet. The NCAA is the governing body over the playoff system and by their order, the lowest possible ticket price is $5. For students, that means no more walking in with just your JAC card.

"This is not the athletic marketing program trying to make money off of a JMU playoff game," said Brad Edmondson, the director of athletics marketing. "This is by NCAA mandate."

The official playoff schedule will be released Sunday at noon. Assuming JMU receives a home game, an e-mail will be sent on how to obtain tickets.

"Students will be able to pick up tickets," said Mike Carpenter, director of athletic ticketing. "

Assuming JMU is awarded a home game, the ticket office will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, starting Monday, Nov 21 through game day but will be closed Thanksgiving, Carpenter said.

The ticket office is located in the Convocation Center. On game day, tickets can be purchased at the gate.

As per the General Championship Information 2004-’05 (I-AA) Handbook on the NCAA football Web site, "Admission shall be charged at all NCAA championships."

Ticket prices may be "scaled" based on the location of the seats, according to the handbook. Faculty members will be charged regular admission prices.

For returning on-campus students, residence halls will be open.

"If JMU does host a playoff game on Saturday, Nov. 27, the residence halls will open at noon that day for students who wish to attend the game," said Maggie Burkhart Evans, Director of Residence Life. "We will recommend that residence hall students go straight to the game and move into the halls following the game. A group of dedicated RAs and hall directors will be paid to give up some of their holiday break and return to work early in the event a game is hosted at JMU."