Y. football tickets to cost more

PROVO — Originally built in 1964 and in dire need of improvements to its infrastructure, LaVell Edwards Stadium is undergoing a major, five-year renovation project.

And BYU is asking its football fans to help foot the bill.

Athletic director Tom Holmoe announced Thursday an increase in season-ticket prices for 2007 that will include a facility maintenance fee in that cost. The majority of the ticket increase in the public seating areas is earmarked for Edwards Stadium renovations while the remainder of the added revenue will go to enhancing the school's overall sports program.

"Ticket price increases are an inevitable part of running an athletics department, such as ours, which must pay its own way," Holmoe explained. "We have tried to keep prices reasonable for our fans, while maintaining a nationally ranked program. This increase is necessary for BYU to properly recruit and provide a high-quality education for our student-athletes, maintain superior coaches and staff, and maintain the day-to-day operations of the athletics department."

This marks the first stadiumwide price increase since before the 2001 season. The school contemplated increasing ticket prices after last year, then decided against it. But after the Cougars posted an 11-2 season, including an outright Mountain West Conference championship and bowl victory over Oregon, in 2006, "we believe that now is the time to do it," Holmoe said.

So how much more will public season-ticket holders pay?

Fans who paid $90 in 2006 for an end zone ticket will pay $96 this fall, a difference of $6, or a $1 increase per game. For a season ticket in the sideline bleachers, the cost jumps from $160 to $180. The increases are greater for donor seating.

"Will this price some people out? It could," Holmoe said. "But the reality of it is, we can't lose money on our operations."

By comparison, the average cost of a public season ticket in 2006 at Boise State was $185 while an end zone seat cost $120, according to BYU associate athletic director Duff Tittle. At Southern California, the average public season ticket cost is $290, plus a donation to the school.

The Edwards Stadium renovation project began in 2005, with improvements to the facility's electrical system. In 2006, the school constructed east-side bathrooms and a television truck pad; replaced west-side chair seats and refurbished the press-box elevators.

Future projects include repairing eroded concrete; resurfacing concourse walkways and stadium ramps; replacing and repairing stadium stairs; repainting stands (including rust abatement); installing new stadium field lighting; refurbishing a visiting locker room; creating a visiting-team press area; and constructing west-stadium hosting facilities.