Athletic Director Barry Alvarez announced a price increase proposal Tuesday for season football tickets.
In a newsletter to UW-Madison football season ticket holders, Alvarez suggested a $3 price increase per game. The Athletic Department will present the proposed increase to the UW Athletic Board in a meeting Friday.
Alvarez said in the newsletter he sees the increase as a necessary consequence of the current economic recession.
""As we all know, however, the economic circumstances in our country over the past couple years have been uncertain at best ... Our costs, however, for team travel, scholarships, facilities, equipment, supplies, etc., continue to rise,"" Alvarez said.
Alvarez acknowledged opposition to the increase but said that after the price increase, UW-Madison's ticket prices will still only be the sixth most expensive of all Big Ten teams.
""We have seven home football games this coming fall, so the football price adjustment will cost you an extra $21 per seat for the season,"" he said.
Some students see the proposed increase as only a minor annoyance.
""I think if it was just three dollars, it wouldn't matter to me much,"" sophomore Kelly Bethke said. Regardless of whether the Athletic Department accepts the price increase, she said she is willing to buy tickets for the coming season.
However, other students say the increase may turn out to be a harbinger of more significant price hikes in the future.
""If they do it in little increments, it doesn't seem like a big deal, but it adds up,"" sophomore Tara Centeno said.
Athletic Department spokesperson Justin Doherty declined comment until after the UW Athletic Board meeting.
""After the Athletic Board's meeting on Friday is when Coach Alvarez would be available to discuss it further,"" he said.
