CSU Giving Fans a Chance to Choose Specific Seats Online
By TONY PHIFER

July 6, 2006

Colorado State University fans soon will have the ability to serve themselves when it comes to purchasing tickets.

The athletic department is in the process of installing computer software that will allow fans to go online at csurams.com and select exact seat locations for events at Hughes Stadium and Moby Arena. The new system should be up and running July 17 - the same day single-game tickets for the CSU-University of Colorado football game Denver's Invesco Field at Mile High go on sale.

In the past, fans could only select seats in a general area rather than choosing exact seat locations.

"This should really be a nice addition for our fans," CSU ticket manager Sharon Rady said. "Fans can order single-game and season tickets online, renew season tickets plus select reserved seats in any available location. It's a much better system."

The software, developed by California-based Paciolan, is in use at CU, Wyoming, Air Force and other Mountain West Conference schools. Gary Ozzello, CSU's senior assistant athletic director for media relations, said CSU is the last MWC school to offer fans the ability to select exact seat location online.

One of the interesting aspects of the system is a "view from the seat" feature that simulates the sight lines for each seat location.

"This new technology puts us right at the top of the Mountain West Conference when it comes to fan-friendly service for ticket sales," Ozzello said.

Once the new software is installed, fans can order tickets 24 yours a day, any day of the year, and pay with a credit card. Fans still can call the ticket office to make purchases.

Rady said fans probably won't be able to order 2006 football season tickets online but said the system soon should be able to accommodate season-ticket purchases for men's and women's basketball.

Ozzello said fans will be unable to order tickets online during the transition. Tickets still can be purchased by calling 491-7267.

Original article published by Colorado State University and can be viewed here.