tool name
closePhilipsburg-Osceola Area school board members will vote tonight whether or not to reduce ticket prices for district students at high school sporting events.
Why it’s being considered:
Overall participation in varsity sports has been declining at the high school, from 238 boys and 162 girls in the 2002-03 school year to 175 boys and 138 girls last year. Student attendance for sports other than football has also been on a decline, according to athletic director Lee Fisher. He’s hoping more fans leads to more competitors.
What the district charges now:
Varsity football, basketball and wrestling tickets cost $4 for adults, $2 for students. All other sporting events are free, and senior citizens can receive free passes from the athletic department.
Proposed change:
Fisher suggested reducing the student ticket prices to $1 or not charging a fee to Philipsburg-Osceola students at a meeting earlier this month. Students from other districts would still pay $2 for admission. The change could take effect immediately after a board vote.
The cost:
The district would receive about $5,000 less from football tickets, if Philipsburg-Osceola students were admitted for free. The district earns about $2,400 from students at winter sporting events, most of whom are Philipsburg-Osceola students.
What they’re saying:
“What concerns me more than anything is your participation’s going equal with the kids not showing up to watch,” board President Bob Selfridge said at the earlier meeting when Fisher made the proposal. “And it may be a chicken or the egg (situation), meaning the younger kids aren’t watching so they’re not playing later. Or maybe it’s because not as many people are going out, so, therefore, what’s the point of” watching.
What other districts charge:
• Bald Eagle Tickets to all varsity games cost $3 for adults, $2 for outside students, and are free to district students.
• Bellefonte: Reserved seat tickets to varsity football games cost $5. Tickets for varsity football, basketball, gymnastics, soccer, volleyball and wrestling cost $4 for adults and $2 for students.
• Penns Valley: Tickets to varsity football games cost $4 for adults and $1 for students. Tickets for varsity boys basketball, girls basketball and wrestling cost $3 for adults and $1 for students.
• State College: Varsity football tickets cost $5 for reserved seats, $4 for general admission, and $2 for students and senior citizens. Tickets for boys basketball, girls basketball and wrestling cost $4 for general admission, and $2 for students and senior citizens.
IF YOU GO
What: P-O school boardmeeting
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: NorthLincoln Hill Elementary School boardroom, 200 Short St., Philipsburg
In Print
@Nyx.CommentBody@