The University of Wisconsin-Madison Athletic Department will distribute $5 gift cards to student ticket holders at the Northwestern football game Saturday, according to Associate Athletic Director for External Relations Justin Doherty.
The department also mailed out $10 vouchers to non-student account holders with season tickets in the seating bowl. With approximately 14,000 ticket holders, the cost will be around $140,000, excluding the student vouchers.
This comes after a shortage of vendors at the University of Massachusetts game Aug. 31, where fans reported a variety of problems, such as long lines, a shortage of food and dissatisfaction over beverage choices.
Doherty said the Athletic Department decided to distribute gift cards as a personal appreciation to fans and to encourage attendees to try some of the offerings available through the new concession provider, Learfield Levy Foodservice LLC.
Students can pick up the vouchers up until 2 p.m. at the student entrance gate by exchanging their ticket for a gift card.