UL, CAJUNDOME TO JOIN FORCES FOR TICKET SALES
<blockquote><P align="justify">News release
Feb. 5
LAFAYETTE, LA - Getting tickets to see the Ragin' Cajuns is about to get a lot easier. The Cajundome and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette are currently working on plans to make buying a ticket for a Ragin' Cajun sporting event as convenient as possible.
Plans call for a transfer of UL ticket operations to the Cajundome, which will allow fans to purchase their UL tickets at the Cajundome's full service box office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, the Cajundome will offer extended box office hours two weeks prior to the beginning of each sport's season. Hours will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
'We want our fans to have easy access to game tickets,' Athletic Director Nelson Schexnayder said. 'Having the Cajundome take over ticketing allows us to expand our offerings. We believe the modest cost increase will be more than offset by better customer service.'
The first stage of the plan includes the renewal of season tickets for the upcoming football season. The purchase of tickets for other sports is expected to follow soon after the first stage is complete in the upcoming months.
The box office at the Athletic Complex on Reinhardt Drive will be open until the full transition to the Cajundome has been made.
'The Cajundome is happy to offer this service to UL fans. The staff already handles the sale of basketball tickets so selling tickets for other sporting events just seems like an easy fit,' Cajundome Director Greg Davis said.
Future plans between the Cajundome and Louisiana for ticket sales include the incorporation of FANtm. This program would allow fans to purchase and print their individual game tickets from their home computer for football, baseball and softball in addition to basketball with the exclusion of season tickets. The Cajundome is currently wired for FANtm.
Also, future plans call for the installation of 'Archtic' ticketing software. This program will allow the Cajundome to maintain historical data on clients as well as secure additional information for marketing and sales campaigns. It will also allow fans to set'up an installment plan for extended payment of season tickets. The email function of the software can be used to notify season ticket holders of special events, ticket offerings and upcoming ticket campaigns, among other events.
In addition, patrons could renew, pay or simply check on their season ticket accounts any time over the phone or online.
Louisiana will be the first school in the conference to offer this service to clients. 'The University wants to use the available technology to its fullest advantage,' University of Louisiana President Ray Authement said. 'Our goal is to make purchasing a ticket for a Ragin' Cajun event as easy and convenient as possible. These plans, and the Cajundome, will help the University reach this goal.'
