Boston College Athletic Director Gene DeFilippo has unveiled plans to implement a new system for football ticket distribution that requires season ticket-holders to make a $1,000-per-ticket contribution to BC athletic funds.
A letter was sent recently to those season ticket-holders who would be affected detailing the new system. To keep the seats they have now, they must make the now-mandatory donation.
Season ticket-holders are bound to be surprised with this new requirement; Eagles fans who currently purchase two to four tickets per football season must now donate $2,000 to $4,000 on top of the face value of the tickets.
Long-standing season ticket-holders, many of whom have held the same seats at Alumni Stadium for years, may be forced to relinquish them to those who are more able to afford the prerequisite donation.
BC and supporters of the Flynn Fund back the new donor-based seating program with the argument that almost every school in the Atlantic Coast Conference employs a similar donation requirement. Additionally, the increased donations will allow BC to offer more athletic scholarships, which currently total up to $45,000 per athlete each season. In a best-case scenario, the new program will allow the athletic department more freedom to dole out scholarships, which will make the football team more competitive in the long run.
Still, some season ticket-holders will avoid the extra cost of season tickets and instead opt for cheaper and lesser-quality seating.
Those who choose not to make the contribution will still be guaranteed the right to purchase tickets in other parts of the stadium, but their seats will go to those who donate the most money to BC athletic funds.
Earlier last year, a similar system was implemented in the sales of basketball tickets in Conte Forum. Fans who already held seats in the red, "premium" parts of the stadium were required to make a donation, also per ticket, to keep their seats.
As BC struggles to fill Alumni Stadium for the duration of the football season, it remains to be seen if the increased funds will improve the quality of its athletic programs.
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