Texas Tech Opener Scheduled for Blackout
August 24, 2000 | Football
Aug. 24, 2000
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech Athletic Director Gerald Myers announced today that a blackout has been applied to the Red Raiders football season opener Saturday against New Mexico at Jones SBC Stadium. The game is scheduled to be televised on Fox Sports Southwest. Ticket sales need to reach 45,000 to have the blackout lifted.
As of Thursday afternoon, 37,000 tickets had been sold for the game. Myers added that approximately 8,000 more would need to be sold to have the blackout lifted.
"We need to maximize ticket sales. We made a financial commitment to our football program and the Texas Tech community to support this game," Myers said.
The game between Tech and New Mexico is billed as the Transamerica Hispanic College Fund Football Classic, with 25 percent of the proceeds benefiting the Hispanic College Fund, a national organization whose central purpose is to provide higher education opportunities for the Hispanic community.
Tickets for the game are $35. Myers said that NCAA formulas for exempt games, not Texas Tech, dictated the price of the ticket.
Per NCAA legislation for exempt 12th games, a sellout would ensure each participating institution a $600,000 payout. The beneficiary of the game, in this case the Hispanic College Fund, is guaranteed 25 percent of the gate.
"At the dawn of a new era in Texas Tech football history, the excitement level surrounding the program is better than I ever remember," Myers said. "We want everybody to be a part of it, preferably at the stadium, but at least through television. In this situation, unfortunately, we can't have one without the other."
Tech is offering an alternative to the base $35 ticket price. Fans may purchase a Family Pack for $99,which includes four tickets, four hot dogs and four soft drinks. Tickets may be purchased at the ticket office or by calling (806) 742-TECH or 1-88 GO BIG 12.