Bison bringing back ticket package similar to 2004

By Jeff Kolpack

June 29, 2005 at 11:00 PM

North Dakota State will begin its second year in Division I-AA football with a season-ticket package similar to 2004.

Like last year, prices went up $5 for six games to $85 for sideline and $65 for end-zone seats. Assistant athletic director Troy Goergen said prices are based on the strength of schedule and a comparison with peer institutions.

And, like last year, the school is also offering family and tailgating packages.

"It's a better brand of football and a lot of our fans noticed the difference in caliber of play," Goergen said.

NDSU, which averaged 13,269 fans last season, is hoping to capitalize on an 8-3 record and a No. 23 ranking in the final Division I-AA poll.

"We're following up on a good year," Goergen said. "We had great home attendance last year."

The Bison have three familiar opponents - Northern Colorado, South Dakota State and California Davis - at home. They open on Sept. 1, a Thursday, against Arkansas-Monticello - the only Division II opponent on the schedule.

Big Sky Conference member Weber State (Utah) will play in Fargo for the first time since 1979 and Nicholls State (La.) will be the second Southland Conference team in two years to play in the Fargodome. NDSU faced Northwestern State (La.) last year.

NDSU sold 4,700 season tickets last year.

"We're right about on track," ticket manager Josh Hemingway said. "Once the campaign starts, we should be at that pace again."

NDSU's marketing push will begin this weekend with a "Super Saturday" theme.

"It's a play on Super Bowl Sunday," Goergen said. "We're trying to point out that there's no place you would rather be on a Saturday than a Bison game day. We're trying to portray a brand and an image that makes people want to be there. That's why we go to great lengths to make the event so well-rounded."

That includes a tailgating package with a tent, tables, chairs and catering included. Only the lots on the west side of the dome will allow alcohol.

Inflatable games for kids, fireworks and video boards are back for another season.

Single-game tickets will go on sale Aug. 1. Reserve prices are $16 for sideline and $12 for end zone, with the exception of the Oct. 22 homecoming game against Davis, which is $2 more.

Bison football schedule

1-Nicholls State, 6 p.m. September

8-at Cal Poly, 8 p.m.

1-Arkansas-Monticello,

22-California Davis, 1 p.m.

7 p.m.

29-at Southern Utah, 7 p.m.

10-at Northwestern (La.), November

6 p.m.

5-Northern Colorado, 1 p.m.

17-Weber State, 6 p.m.

12-South Dakota State, 6 p.m.

24-at Montana State, 2:05 p.m.

19-at Southern Illinois, 3 p.m.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Kolpack at (701) 241-5546

By Jeff Kolpack

Jeff would like to dispel the notion he was around when Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, but he is on his third decade of reporting with Forum Communications. The son of a reporter and an English teacher, and the brother of a reporter, Jeff has worked at the Jamestown Sun, Bismarck Tribune and since 1990 The Forum, where he's covered North Dakota State athletics since 1995.
Jeff has covered all nine of NDSU's Division I FCS national football titles and has written three books: "Horns Up," "North Dakota Tough" and "Covid Kids." He is the radio host of "The Golf Show with Jeff Kolpack" April through August.