I see a lot of posts on UTSA's supposed give away that aren't rooted in facts. Someone posts a photo of the KFC deal as an "aha, see UTSA gave away TONS of tickets" to inflate their numbers. I even see someone posted UTSA gave away "90%" of their tickets. This is actually false. Let's take a look at some facts.

First, let's take a look at some facts that no one can dispute, and we'll to try to break this down.

Fact: The Alamodome holds 65K
Fact: UTSA averaged nearly 36K tickets sold or distributed.
Fact: UTSA sold 11,000 season tickets
Fact: According to the Express News, UTSA is actually AHEAD of last season ticket sales. Speculation: UTSA will sell 14-15K season tickets this year.
Fact: UTSA nearly tripled the projected ticket revenue.
Fact: Other than the opener, most of the tickets sold were in the lower 2 bowls. Only one side of the upper decks were open the last 5 games. (Note: this makes sense, since the lower bowls hold probably in the range of half the 65K seats).



Now here's where it gets a little tricky. According to UTSA people with knowledge, this so called give away was actually not really a give away. Apparently a large doner (who happens to have ties to KFC) was given a block of tickets. So the tickets weren't actually given away, it was the result of a large donation. UTSA people, correct the record here if you have further details.

Also, apparently these were limited to one section of the upper deck. A quick check of one section shows about 675 seats. So, let's say as an example an entire section was given away. This still leave UTSA with 35K tickets sold, and not nearly 36K, and means the discounted tickets accounted for a whopping 2% of the total ticket intake.

Keep in mind again, most of the seats sold in the later games were in the lower bowls. It wasn't necessary to open all of the upper decks due to the capacity of the Alamodome.

So lets just say in the absolute worst case scenario that UTSA gave away an entire side of the upper deck. (Completely false by the way, didn't happen - I know, I happened to purchase several upper deck tickets as did many others). But, let's just say that happened. You're still talking MAYBE 4 or 5K tickets. STILL, even at this riduculous notion that didn't happen, would STILL leave over 30K tickets sold.

As you can see, the notion that UTSA gave away 90 percent of their tickets and just gave away tons of free tickets is a myth.

Which side order would you like with your chicken?

What are my choices?

Mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, mac and and cheese, or 4 complimentary tickets to an UTSA home game.

I'll take the mac and cheese.

The donor you speak of is the CEO of Muy Brands (which operates all KFC, Pizza Huts and Taco Bells in San Antonio). Jim Bodenstedt is a '96 grad and was the first person to donate a million dollars to the new football program.

(05-05-2012 10:06 PM)mistabinks Wrote:  Which side order would you like with your chicken?

What are my choices?

Mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, mac and and cheese, or 4 complimentary tickets to an UTSA home game.

I'll take the mac and cheese.

We took the side that got us in the same conference as you, and it tasted delicious!

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Great post BullsFanInTexas!

The truth of it is that many posters here that bash UTSA are upset because they feel this myth is why we've received an invitation to CUSA. But what makes them even more upset is that in their reality not only have they accepted the myth, but in accepting the myth they feel they have been sidelined, marginalized, and bested by a bucket of chicken.

That made no sense but good to know silly jabs bother you.

(05-05-2012 10:14 PM)Rowdy Bulldog Wrote:  The donor you speak of is the CEO of Muy Brands (which operates all KFC, Pizza Huts and Taco Bells in San Antonio). Jim Bodenstedt is a '96 grad and was the first person to donate a million dollars to the new football program.

I think deep inside UTEP fans know most of this.

It's the smacktalk card Miner fans take a jab with when talk starts heading that way. Most is in fun and humor, and shouldn't be taken so literally.

Just as folks tease El Paso for not having anything to do (which Miner fans know is not true).

Something that's not a myth: UTSA is the only D-1 school to ever lose to a D-3 one.

So when will UTSA build their own stadium? Better get the lead out...

(05-05-2012 10:18 PM)justin_sane15 Wrote:  Something that's not a myth: UTSA is the only D-1 school to ever lose to a D-3 one.

I could be wrong about this, but I think McMurry is actually a transitional D2 team. Doesn't make it any better though. On the other hand, UTSA played the FCS runner up and No 1 team in FCS most of the year down to the wire, so the McMurry game is a real head scratcher.

UTSA --- never heard of your school until expansion talks included you all --- but that does not matter...and how UTSA distributed/sold tickets does not matter either. The facts are you are a new program and someone was smart enough to figure out how get 36,000 people to the games...sounds good to me. I am sure they will be smart enough to turn many of them into fans and finanical supporters of the program. It sounds like a win win to me. It is hard to sell the game experience unless people come out to experince it! Congrats on a good start to your football program.

(05-05-2012 10:20 PM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  

(05-05-2012 10:18 PM)justin_sane15 Wrote:  Something that's not a myth: UTSA is the only D-1 school to ever lose to a D-3 one.

I could be wrong about this, but I think McMurry is actually a transitional D2 team. Doesn't make it any better though. On the other hand, UTSA played the FCS runner up and No 1 team in FCS most of the year down to the wire, so the McMurry game is a real head scratcher.

They're still D-3, just as Texas State was FCS last year while being in transition.

(05-05-2012 10:18 PM)justin_sane15 Wrote:  Something that's not a myth: UTSA is the only D-1 school to ever lose to a D-3 one.

So how's it gonna feel this Thanksgiving when txst loses to the only D1 team that ever lost to a D3 team?

(05-05-2012 10:19 PM)Germdawg Wrote:  So when will UTSA build their own stadium? Better get the lead out...

Honestly, I'm not sure we will. San Antonio has really come out in force for UTSA. The Alamodome is downtown and easy for everyone to get to. I think (and I could be wrong) that UTSA will go down the path of a long term contract with the Alamodome. I'm sure in August and September, most fans would agree to an air-conditioned stadium.

I read that UTSA was going to do a long term lease at the Alamodome. It was about 105 degrees out at one of the games and going into 72 degrees is pretty nice.

(05-05-2012 10:22 PM)PirateJeff Wrote:  UTSA --- never heard of your school until expansion talks included you all --- but that does not matter...and how UTSA distributed/sold tickets does not matter either. The facts are you are a new program and someone was smart enough to figure out how get 36,000 people to the games...sounds good to me. I am sure they will be smart enough to turn many of them into fans and finanical supporters of the program. It sounds like a win win to me. It is hard to sell the game experience unless people come out to experince it! Congrats on a good start to your football program.

That's how I see it. Mr. Bodenstedt gets to support us, it helps the local businesses, helps UTSA and gives the local fans something new to try and see if they like it.

Even if it is free doesn't mean people will show up. They still have to go out to the Alamodome (pay to park or park and ride), pay for concessions, and from what I could see many went out and bought Roadrunner gear.

Win-win for all involved.

(05-05-2012 09:57 PM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  Now here's where it gets a little tricky. According to UTSA people with knowledge, this so called give away was actually not really a give away. Apparently a large doner (who happens to have ties to KFC) was given a block of tickets. So the tickets weren't actually given away, it was the result of a large donation. UTSA people, correct the record here if you have further details.

So, the school gave him tickets?

Just let it go. Peeps b m pressed w/ UTSA tendence


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(05-05-2012 10:26 PM)DarrellEW Wrote:  

(05-05-2012 10:18 PM)justin_sane15 Wrote:  Something that's not a myth: UTSA is the only D-1 school to ever lose to a D-3 one.

So how's it gonna feel this Thanksgiving when txst loses to the only D1 team that ever lost to a D3 team?

Yeah, good luck with that.

UTSA is now my favorite team in CUSA after all of this bashing that has gone on. I don't care how you get people in the stadium, just get them there. After you get them there figure out how to keep them coming back.

(05-05-2012 10:22 PM)PirateJeff Wrote:  UTSA --- never heard of your school until expansion talks included you all --- but that does not matter...and how UTSA distributed/sold tickets does not matter either. The facts are you are a new program and someone was smart enough to figure out how get 36,000 people to the games...sounds good to me. I am sure they will be smart enough to turn many of them into fans and finanical supporters of the program. It sounds like a win win to me. It is hard to sell the game experience unless people come out to experince it! Congrats on a good start to your football program.

Thank you, that's why I am definitely heading out to ECU

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