With the release of the 2008-2009 schedule, the Penguins organization also announced new procedures for ticket programs such as "Student Rush" and Mini-Plans. I briefly mentioned this in a previous post, "1% From Waiting List Could Become Season Ticket Holders." The "Student Rush" program has become a hot topic because of the Penguins limiting the number of games they will offer discounted tickets for students this season to 4 games.
Empty Netters was the first to devote a blog entry to the foreseen "end" of the Student Rush program, but PUCK DADDY further analyzed it and, although it would be sad to see the Student Rush program end, I don't completely agree with PUCK DADDY's sentiment that Pittsburgh is "screwing" fans (i.e., the students). Students are only a small part of the fan base. There are alot of professional hockey organizations that don't even offer such a program (maybe they should take a lesson). This program was originally put into motion when the organization needed to fill a number of empty seats during the "lean years."
Empty Netters was the first to devote a blog entry to the foreseen "end" of the Student Rush program, but PUCK DADDY further analyzed it and, although it would be sad to see the Student Rush program end, I don't completely agree with PUCK DADDY's sentiment that Pittsburgh is "screwing" fans (i.e., the students). Students are only a small part of the fan base. There are alot of professional hockey organizations that don't even offer such a program (maybe they should take a lesson). This program was originally put into motion when the organization needed to fill a number of empty seats during the "lean years."
The way I see it, the Penguins organization has currently "outgrown" the Rush program and is trying to accomodate a variety of fans -- those people who would like to become a season ticket holder, or the poor, ordinary soul that would like to attend at least ONE game -- how fair is it to the fan who's tried everything but never seems to be "lucky" enough to get a hold of such a hot commodity?! Even when there are still some tickets available, these fans are unable to purchase them because they are set aside for someone carrying a student ID especially since the fan I'm speaking of is probably 10 or so years removed from being anything close to resembling a student (THESE fans make up a large part of who the Pittsburgh Penguins fan is; and I'd say they're the majority because students do eventually "mature" into "grown up" Pens fans). Another example of why I feel the organization is trying to accomodate a larger number of the loyal fans is the fact that they provided a big-screen outside of the Mellon Arena for home and away games during the playoffs. And since this IS a business, they realize it is good business not to leave your devoted fans in the dust because they know that these are fans who they will be dealing with once this success goes away (and they don't want to lose them by merely focusing on the newer fans).
Who we should really be focusing on, the people that I have always carried a great disdain for, are those we refer to as "bandwagoners!" They are the ones who hoard up the tickets because the Pens are HOT right now and it's "in" to cheer on the Penguins when they're winning. I can't tell you how many times I've had people around me not even pay attention to the game or have no clue about hockey and have to ask the person they came with a silly question like "when is Sidney going to be on the ice?" These are the "fans" that are driving up prices and crowding out the true fans regardless of age!! Where will those "fans" be when the Penguins are in a rut (which we all know will eventually happen no matter how many good players we have - it's a fact of the sports cycle)?!
I suppose the sad truth of the matter is that if the organization isn't successful with trying to accomodate more of the loyal fan base and a few of us continue to view it as "screwing" fans then we'll all have to wait until the Pens come upon another "lean year" before we, the true fans, can really enjoy attending a game once more. Isn't that the shame of it all? The true fans stick with the team through thick and thin but when the team is in it's prime and die-hard fans should be rewarded with being able to attend amazing games they're restricted by those that could care less about them when there ARE seats available! Maybe the Pittsburgh Penguins are just trying to come up with something to resolve this issue.
Who we should really be focusing on, the people that I have always carried a great disdain for, are those we refer to as "bandwagoners!" They are the ones who hoard up the tickets because the Pens are HOT right now and it's "in" to cheer on the Penguins when they're winning. I can't tell you how many times I've had people around me not even pay attention to the game or have no clue about hockey and have to ask the person they came with a silly question like "when is Sidney going to be on the ice?" These are the "fans" that are driving up prices and crowding out the true fans regardless of age!! Where will those "fans" be when the Penguins are in a rut (which we all know will eventually happen no matter how many good players we have - it's a fact of the sports cycle)?!
I suppose the sad truth of the matter is that if the organization isn't successful with trying to accomodate more of the loyal fan base and a few of us continue to view it as "screwing" fans then we'll all have to wait until the Pens come upon another "lean year" before we, the true fans, can really enjoy attending a game once more. Isn't that the shame of it all? The true fans stick with the team through thick and thin but when the team is in it's prime and die-hard fans should be rewarded with being able to attend amazing games they're restricted by those that could care less about them when there ARE seats available! Maybe the Pittsburgh Penguins are just trying to come up with something to resolve this issue.
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1 comment:
i think we all saw this coming.
The beginning of last season, I student rushed 2 games, was about 50 people back in line, and got in no problem.
Then, in March I tried again. About 30 people back, no dice.
It's sad that student rush will be coming to an end, but I look at it this way:
Would I rather pay $20 for a ticket to see a lackluster team struggle for a victory, or would i rather pay $100 for a ticket to see the best team in the Eastern Conference dominate the opposition?
The end of student rush is sad, but it only means that the Penguins are finally where they've been trying to get-- on top of the NHL.
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