Easton Area School District might hike ticket prices for sporting events

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/index.ssf/2012/05/easton_area_school_district_mi.html FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES Senior citizens could end up paying $3 for a general admission ticket to certain Easton Area High School sporting events next year if the Easton Area School Board passes proposed hikes to ticket fees. Athletic Director Jim Pokrivsak on Tuesday night proposed to change the price of tickets for varsity wrestling and football and varsity girls and boys basketball. Tickets at the gate for each event will increase to $6 from $5. If parents and spectators purchase tickets before the season begins, they’d receive $1 off each ticket. Admission for seniors is free, but next year they would have to fork over $3 per game. “It’s difficult to monitor who is 65 and older,” Pokrivsak said. “…We try to eyeball people and hopefully they’re honest when coming through the gate.” School Director Frank Pintabone, who also serves as vice chairman of the school board's athletics committee, said he supports Pokrivsak’s proposal. “We have to look at other options, we cannot look to balance the budget on taxpayers and we have to look at alternative ways to generate revenue," Pintabone said. Those who purchase advanced season tickets will receive a discount compared to those who purchase tickets on a per-game basis, Pokrivsak said. He wants to offer these discounts to parents and spectators “because they’re loyal fans and coming to all football wrestling and basketball games.” For wrestling and football, advanced season tickets will save buyers $1 per ticket and offer reserved seating, he said. The wrestling schedule hasn’t been released, but there are five home football games next year, so that would save buyers $5. About 1,540 football and 600 wrestling reserved season packages could be sold, he said. Adults would pay $6 at the gate and students would pay $3. For varsity boys and girls basketball, advanced season tickets would cost $40 instead of $50. There are 10 games each. These sports do not offer reserved seats. Student tickets would remain at $3 per game and seniors would have to pay $3. Adults would pay $6 at the gate. Kerry Myers, Varsity-E club president and former school board president, said he doesn’t think the hiked ticket fees will impact ticket sales. “Easton fans have always been loyal fans,” he said. The board will vote on the rate changes May 22.