UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Monday, March 10, 1997
7B
Final Four tickets pricey for students
Following Kansas' basketball team too costly for some
By Harley V. Ratliff
Kansan sportswriter
Almost every Jayhawk fan would like to sit courtside at the Final Four, sip on a big soda, munch on a giant tub of popcorn and watch the Kansas basketball team cut down the nets at the Indianapolis Hoosier Dome on March 31.
All you need is about $10 for the concessions and about $3,000 for the courtside tickets.
And you thought concessions had gotten too expensive.
Depending on where you want to sit, tickets for the NCAA Championship game will cost between $275 and $3,000, said a representative at Barry's Ticket Service, a Los Angeles-based ticket broker.
"The $3,000 tickets will get you the best seat in the house, right between the baskets and on the front row," the representative said. "The least expensive tickets will put you somewhere in the corner of the upper deck."
Buying a Final Four ticket will not only get fans into both of Sunday's semifinal games, but also into the National Championship game on March 31.
Although ticket prices may seem steep, they are actually less expensive than last year. The ticket broker said that because the Hoosier Dome holds nearly twice as many spectators as last year's venue in Charlotte, N.C., prices have gone down.
With the Kansas men's basketball team one of the front runners to reach the finals, a number of students want to head to Indiana to cheer on their team. However, high ticket prices have already forced some loyal Kansas fans to watch the tournament on television.
Ben Shrepf, Iowa City, Iowa, sophomore, was at the Hoosier Dome when the Jayhawks made the Final Four in 1991. He said that while he would like to attend this year, he can't afford the tickets.
Better luck next year
Tickets for this year's Final Four at the Indianapolis Hoosier Dome are sold out, but it's not too early to plan ahead for next year's Final Four at the San Antonio Alamo Dome.
Here's what you need to do:
Watch your local newspaper for the ticket information number on or about April 1.
Call the number between April 1 and May 9 and request a ticket application.
Send in as many as 10 applications but know that your name can only be drawn once.
Make out your check for the exact amount — the cost of how many tickets you are requesting plus a $2 handling fee for each entry.
Send in your application so that the NCAA receives it no later than midnight on May 29.
Sit back and hope that your name is drawn in a random computerized drawing that will be held in July.
Watch for your acceptance or rejection form in the mail in August.
"I really want to go if Kansas can make it to the Final Four," Shrepf said. "But the last time I got my tickets through the University. There's no way I could afford to go through a scalper."
"Maybe I'm out of touch, but I never would have guessed that going to the Final Four could cost so much money," Fawcett said. "The best seats I'm going to get are on my couch in my living room."
John Fawcett, Lawrence sophomore,
said he has run into the same dilemma.
Should Kansas reach Indianapolis, the NCAA will allot the University of Kansas a certain number of tickets. However, the Kansas ticket office will not know how many tickets it will receive or how much the Final Four tickets will cost until about one week before the Final Four.
Fans consider viewing options for road games
When the Kansas Jayhawks play in Lawrence,it's not hard to figure out where the basketball fans are. Just check Allen Field House.
By Matt Woodruff
Kansan sportswriter
But when the team is on the road, it's a little bit more complicated. Some fans are able to follow the team and attend road games, but the rest of us must decide the always difficult question: Where should we watch the game?
"It kind of depends on what mood you're in," said Brandon Davidson, Overland Park junior. "If you want to go out and be around a crowd, like at the game, then you go
to a sports bar. But sometimes you just want to call up a few friends, get some brew and chill out on the couch."
While coach Roy Williams and the players rack up wins on the road, Lawrence restaurants and sports bars rack up local business from those that choose to go out.
"When Kansas is on TV. we don't have an
"...You never
Jason Williams Olathe senior
have to wait in line for the bathroom.
empty seat in the house, and they're at least three or four deep at the bar," said Pat Scott, co-owner of Scott's Brass Apple. 3300 W. 15th St.
Scott said that during the postseason tournaments, business was the best when Kansas was playing, but many come to the restaurant watched the tournament no matter who was playing.
"As long as KU is in it, people want to get together in their groups and cheer and carry-on and so forth," she said. "But when KU is out, we still have a certain number of people still interested in seeing the games."
Mike Regnier, general manager at Old Chicago, 2329 Iowa St., said the channel that the game was televised on also affected turnout.
"When they show the away games on a local channel, not as many people go out to watch it," Regnier said. "But if it's on ESPN or something, we get a lot."
Regnier said that the Big 12 Conference Tournament was great for area restaurants because so many people were interested.
"I don't mind the crowd at the games, but it's hard to see what's going on when you can't see the TV through all of the people," Williams said.
"With 24 teams playing, including the women's teams, that's a whole lot of people who came to the area," he said. But, for fans like Jason Williams, Olathe senior, the crowds can sometimes be a negative.
Williams said that there were other advantages to watching the games at home.
"It's a lot cheaper, and you never have to wait in line for the bathroom," he said.
MR. GATTI'S Pizza MADNESS
Come watch the Hawks on our Big Screen TV!!
$1.00 OFF
All you care to eat pizza buffet
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, 4-9 p.m. with coupon
MR. GATTIS Pizza MADNESS
Maguire $1.00 off
All You Care to Eat FastFeast Pizza Buffet
Every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evening in March.
Coupon good 4-9 p.m. only, March 1 to April 1, 1997.
One coupon per person, per visit.
3514 Clinton Parkway (next to Hy-Vee) 838-9900
3514 Clinton Parkway (next to Hy-Vee) 838-9900
mercy record studio • 735.5 new hampshire • lawrence, kansas 66044
The Hottest Shop In Town
SUNFLOWER
Satellite Shop
844 Massachusetts 843-5000
FROM BACKPACKS AND TENTS TO BIKES AND CLOTHING, WE ARE STILL YOUR SOURCE FOR THE BEST OUTDOOR GOODS.
LOCATION AT 844
LOCATION AT 844 MASSACHUSETTS. IT WILL BE OUR TEMPORARY HOME AWAY FROM HOME AS WE REBUILD FOR THE NEXT MILLENIUM.
Our #1 Jayhawks You make us so proud!
COMMON SENSE...COMMON GOOD
Lisa Blair LAWRENCE CITY COMMISSION
Pol. Ad. Paid for by Lisa Blair for City Commission, Tom Wood, Treas. • Box 442596 • Lawrence, KS 66044
DOWNTOWN LAWRENCE ESTABLISHED 1854
Join Downtown Lawrence Inc. in supporting KU Basketball this season.
Visit Downtown Lawrence before or after the game.
Shop, dine, browse and enjoy the ambiance of Downtown Lawrence. It's All Right Here!
THE YACHT CLUB DAILY FOOD AND DRINK SPECIALS
Come watch the Hawks win in March!
BIG MONDAYS
Drink $3.00 pitcher
Drink-$3.00 pitchers
Lunch-Chicken Sandwich $3.85
Dinner-Chicken Fingers $3.25
Wings 15¢ ea. 8pm-10pm
FAT TUESDAYS
Drink-Fat Tire/Boulevard $1.75 BIG BEERS
$1.1/7 BIG BEERS
Lunch-Chicken $3.85
Lunch-Cajun Chicken $3.85
Lunch-Cajun Chicken $3.85
FREE POOL ALL DAY!!!
THURSDAYS
WEDNESDAYS
Drink-Tecate/Corona/Dos Equis $1.75
Margaritas $1.25
Lunch-Fajita Salad $3.50
Dinner Quesadillas $3.25
Drink-$1.50 BIG BEERSCoors Lt, Bud Lt
$1.50 Domestic Bottles, $1.75 Wells
NO COVER !!!!
Lunch-Admiral Salad $3.50
Dinner-Steak and Fries $8.50
FREE TACO BAR 5PM - ?
TGIF
FREE TACO BAR 5PM - 7
Drink-Fat Tire and Boulevard
$2.50 BIG BEERS
Lunch-Chicken Sandwich $3.85
Lunch-Chicken Sandwich $3.85
Dinner-Chicken Supreme $4.95
SUNDAYS
Drink--75 Draws
Lunch and Dinner-Cheeseburger & Fry $2
842-9445
SATURDAYS
SATURDAYS
Drink-$2.25 Imports
Lunch-Turkey Club $3.75
Dinner-Fajita Salad $3.50
Drink-.75 Draws
Lunch and Dinner-Cheeseburger & Fry $2.75 with Soda or Draw
842-9445 530 Wisconsin