The West Virginia University ticketing system has encountered yet another problem in its short existence.  Students have continued to be disgruntled since the implementation of an on-line ticket system in 2004, and now parents are experiencing the frustration.

Prior to the 2004 season a simple ticketing system was in place for students at WVU.  A student would simply make their way to the MountainLair, the WVU student union, box office and present their student identification.  A ticket would be issued to that student and the opportunity to purchase two guest tickets was also available.  Also, if a fellow student could not make it to the box office in the allotted time, a friend could bring their student I.D. and get their ticket for them.  This system worked relatively well, although often times students would have to wait  long lines that extended out into the courtyard in front of the building.  However, for their loyalty and patience the students were guaranteed a ticket.  This is now a luxury that not all students can enjoy.

At the start of the 2004-05 season the WVU ticket office implemented an on-line ticketing system.  Students were to login on-line using their student e-mail address and password.  The student would then request a ticket, and would be notified within a few days of whether or not they would receive one.  Sounds simple right?

Well what many folks do not know is that prior to that season, Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium underwent renovation, and a number of student seats were taken away to make way for luxury boxes and a garden.  Yes, a garden.  Because of this students were no longer guaranteed a seat at the stadium.  Instead, their names would be put into a lottery and their chances of receiving a ticket were based on seniority and loyalty points.  A student receives loyalty points for attending a game.  However, many students asked, “But how am I supposed to accumulate these points if I can’t receive a ticket?”

Problems continued throughout the debut season of the on-line system and a number of times the ticket office was forced to give out tickets to all those who requested because of protest.  One game in particular struck a nerve with many students.  WVU was to play Maryland on a Saturday afternoon.  This weekend was also dubbed Fall Family Weekend by the University.  Fall Family Weekend is an opportunity for parents and family to attend the football game and spend a weekend with their beloved children.  The event is wonderful and a great idea.  However, Maryland is a huge rival of WVU and a majority of students were planning to attend the game.  The problem?  Parents bought up many tickets that should have been allotted to students, causing many students to scramble for tickets. 

Since the 2004 season the ticket system has made its improvements and continues to do so.  However, this season the WVU ticketing website, wvugame.com, encountered another snag.  On the first day tickets were to become available to parents for the Fall Family Weekend, the server encountered technical difficulties which lasted more than a week.  Finally they decided that they would send out ticket order forms through the mail.

Many parents have yet to be able to purchase their tickets as Fall Family Weekend and the home opener against Western Michigan looms a little over a month away.  Order forms were sent out yesterday and many parents will still have to wait weeks before they receive their tickets, while many are attempting to make plans for accommodations while in Morgantown.  Students, on the other hand, will have to wait until the weekend before the game to encounter their problems. 

With all the problems that have been encountered through the on-line system, it still seems to be the best way for a mass number of people to get tickets to the games.  In the coming years, with more renovations and added seats, perhaps a new system will come in to play.  However, until that time comes, students and parents alike will continue to struggle to find tickets until something new comes along.