Bowling Green, Ky. — The theme of the 2007 Western Kentucky University football team is “Making History.” For one week, that slogan is being refined.
Hilltopper fans are encouraged to “Wear Red While Making History With A New Record Crowd” as the program focuses on breaking the attendance record at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium with Eastern Kentucky visiting Saturday for the “Battle of the Bluegrass.” The previous mark of 20,428 was set when the Hilltoppers played host to the Colonels on Oct. 26, 1968, in the stadium’s first year of existence.
In an effort to help make that happen, this will be the final week that the WKU Athletic Ticket Office will be offering $25 season tickets. Single-game prices for the EKU contest are $20 for reserved bleacher or general admission seats and $10 for a GA youth ticket.
Thus far, season-ticket sales are at an all-time high with more than 8,600 sold — the previous high prior to the program’s move to the NCAA Division I-A (Football Bowl Subdivision) level was 1,800. And, of the 800 club seats that will be available in the new West Grandstand beginning in 2008, the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation has sold over 470.
“Just as it has been hot outside this past month, the last several weeks have been sizzling inside our WKU Athletic Ticket Office as we have surpassed 8,600 football season tickets for 2007,” said the school’s Director of Athletics Dr. Wood Selig. “This is a 475 percent increase over last season’s total sales. Any business in the world would be ecstatic with such a dramatic increase in sales, and we certainly are. The atmosphere and intensity in Houchens Industries-Smith Stadium this fall will be unparalleled with capacity crowds, an eye-popping video replay board, and a raucous environment
“Who wouldn't want to be a part of this dynamic transition underway with WKU football?”
In addition, the HAF has added over 365 new members in 2007, an increase of 30 percent from a year ago.
“Through the efforts of our membership drive and the excitement for I-A football, the HAF is on pace to eclipse our all-time membership high,” Jim Clark, executive director of the HAF said. “Our hope is that fans take advantage of the new $25 season ticket price to not only come experience the ‘Battle of the Bluegrass’ Saturday, but to become involved with the program as we complete the transition to the I-A level and become bowl eligible in 2009.”
Saturday’s game against EKU will kickoff at 2 p.m. (CDT). Gates will open 90 minutes in advance.
