Regarding the new ticket policy, the Carolina Athletic Association would like to address the feedback we have received about the new system.
The CAA has provided many outlets for students to adjust to this new policy and receive tickets, either directly through the lottery or through one of our alternative options.
There is no reason for students to not enjoy the game just as much as they have in the past.
The CAA created a new policy called the “Turn it Back” initiative where students are encouraged to e-mail tickets back if they are not going to use them by forwarding their actual ticket to ReturnUNCTickets@gmail.com.
These tickets are then redistributed to other students who did not receive tickets in the original lottery distribution.
The day before each lottery ticketed home game, the CAA hosts the Turn it Back initiative at 5:15 p.m. at the information desk in the Student Union.
This is a great option for any student who did not receive a ticket through the initial student lottery.
This system allows students who did not receive a ticket an opportunity to not only attend the game but to enter the Smith Center prior to tip-off.
For the first three ticketed home games, there were more tickets turned back than claimed.
In fact, Phase 1 tickets were returned and given to students in the Turn it Back line. Any ticket that is not claimed is printed and is used for the standby line initiative.
If you cannot attend the Turn it Back initiative, the standby line is also an option. Beginning 90 minutes prior to tip-off, students who do not have a ticket can come to Gate D of the Dean Dome for a chance to still gain entry into the game.
Each student is given a numbered bracelet on a first come, first served basis. At tip-off, these students are let in the Smith Center in the order of their numbered bracelets until the Smith Center reaches maximum capacity.
This standby line initiative has been extremely effective for students who have taken advantage of it; only twice have students been turned away.
Students have voiced concern over the new policy of one ticket per person. Many schools, including several Atlantic Coast Conference schools, have the one ticket per student policy.
Now, students are twice as likely as last year to receive basketball tickets. In addition, students who receive earlier phases can still sit with their friends in later phases if they choose to do so. If not, then it is possible to find the same phase ticket by coming to the Turn it Back line the day before the game.
The CAA is the liaison between students and the athletic department, and we want to make sure that students are aware of the many opportunities to receive tickets. UNC basketball is one of our proudest traditions, and we want to make sure that as many students as possible are able to experience it.
Bottom line is if you apply for the student ticket lottery, use the Turn it Back and standby initiatives, you should be able to attend the majority of the men’s home basketball games.
And as always, go Heels!
John Russell is President of Carolina Athletic Association. Contact John at johnrussell@unc.edu.
