The excitement generated by last year’s Iowa State football games have spurned a growth in sales of season tickets among students.

“Student season tickets are selling very well,” said Pam Fultz, ISU Athletic Ticket Manager. “We are even with where we were last year, maybe even a little ahead.”

“Last year, we sold 5,900 tickets, and this year we anticipate about 7,000,” said Fultz.

“I think that there is a lot more interest this year, in part due to Troy Davis, and also the changes, including the natural turf, and that people have seen what Head Coach Dan Mc Carney can do.”

Fultz said that ticket prices have gone up in price this year, seeing an increase from six to seven dollars per game.

“We had the lines constantly running yesterday,” said Mary Zeigler of the Athletic Marketing Department, “It is such a good price for good entertainment.”

“We want to pack the stadium for the first game,” said Zeigler. “There will be national television coverage of the game.”

“The most interesting part about the ticket sales this year is that students are worried that we might sell out,” said Zeigler.

“I’ve never seen students worried about whether or not we’ll sell out of tickets.”

Even with the rise in cost of tickets, and the long lines sometimes encountered at the ticket booths, students have not been discouraged from buying their tickets.

“They must be doing good business,” said Dave Denison, a junior in computer engineering. “They were packed when I got there [the Memorial Union].”

Denison said he has bought a ticket every year since he’s been at Iowa State, and said he enjoys the tailgating before the game the most.

“I’ve had tickets all three years that I’ve been a student here,” said Ethan Dix, a junior in civil engineering. “My parents have been taking me to the games since I was four.”

Dix says there are two big reasons why he believes students are buying tickets this year: McCarney’s commitment to the program and to see Heisman finalist Troy Davis run the ball.

“Sitting in the student section is exciting; the fact that it brings the student body together for one purpose: cheering on ISU,” Dix said. “I can stand next to a total stranger and discuss the game with them.”

According to Mary Zeigler, there are many activities scheduled before the first game against Wyoming. Two local music talents will perform before the 6:00 game time. The Nadas are scheduled to play at 2:00, and Paul Wright will perform at 4:00.

Fultz said that there are two places that students can buy their tickets: in the lobby outside the University Bookstore from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or at the Athletic Ticket Office in the northeast corner of the Jacobson Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.