As a contrast, Atlantic 10 programs have season ticket systems. The University of Dayton Arena seats 14,500 and only 500 seats are available for student prices. If the seats aren't sold, they are released to the public at full price.
Charlotte has an online ticket portal where students request tickets. Students are permitted one ticket for each game after paying an athletic fee. Admission into the stadium is based on "loyalty points." A student earns these points by attending other athletic department events such as soccer and volleyball games.
Xavier, a similarly popular program in the A-10, does not require students to pay for tickets but designates a two-day period where students must present their student identification card for tickets. The best seats are given out first and the ID cards are validated when tickets are picked up and when students enter the arena.
Kvancz said season ticket plans for students is a logical step for GW. With a 5,000-seat arena, GW is limited with its options, Kvancz said.
"It's like 'catching up with the Jones,'" Kvancz said.
This year, the University has no plans to make students pay for tickets, said Robert Chernak, senior vice president for Student and Academic Support Services. But Chernak and Kvancz are in agreement that with upgrades to the Smith Center seating, tickets are necessary.
Kvancz said the athletic department has never had to turn a student away from the Smith Center and said he never plans to. A season ticket program would ensure a seat for each person and room for others who want to buy tickets on a game-to-game basis.
The reason for "changing the culture" of basketball ticketing, Kvancz said, is multifaceted. Instead of instituting the changes all at once, Kvancz said he wants students to understand and become accustomed to picking up tickets.
The culture, which has been free admission since the program's inception, will drastically change. Kvancz said he's comfortable with it.
"It is inevitable that (purchasing tickets) would happen," Kvancz said. "It's our mission to serve students and I'll do everything I can to do that."
Charlotte has an online ticket portal where students request tickets. Students are permitted one ticket for each game after paying an athletic fee. Admission into the stadium is based on "loyalty points." A student earns these points by attending other athletic department events such as soccer and volleyball games.
Xavier, a similarly popular program in the A-10, does not require students to pay for tickets but designates a two-day period where students must present their student identification card for tickets. The best seats are given out first and the ID cards are validated when tickets are picked up and when students enter the arena.
Kvancz said season ticket plans for students is a logical step for GW. With a 5,000-seat arena, GW is limited with its options, Kvancz said.
"It's like 'catching up with the Jones,'" Kvancz said.
This year, the University has no plans to make students pay for tickets, said Robert Chernak, senior vice president for Student and Academic Support Services. But Chernak and Kvancz are in agreement that with upgrades to the Smith Center seating, tickets are necessary.
Kvancz said the athletic department has never had to turn a student away from the Smith Center and said he never plans to. A season ticket program would ensure a seat for each person and room for others who want to buy tickets on a game-to-game basis.
The reason for "changing the culture" of basketball ticketing, Kvancz said, is multifaceted. Instead of instituting the changes all at once, Kvancz said he wants students to understand and become accustomed to picking up tickets.
The culture, which has been free admission since the program's inception, will drastically change. Kvancz said he's comfortable with it.
"It is inevitable that (purchasing tickets) would happen," Kvancz said. "It's our mission to serve students and I'll do everything I can to do that."
