BYU fan Tom Willes cheers on the Cougars at a recent home football game; BYU officials reported Thursday that season ticket renewals have not been drastically affected by worries that the 2020 college football season could be shortened or canceled. | Tom Smart, Deseret News
Deadline to renew season tickets recently passed, but schools officials saw little drop-off from renewals in past years when schedules were similar
PROVO — Worries that the 2020 college football season will be canceled, shortened or postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is not keeping BYU football fans from renewing their season tickets in any noticeable way, a BYU athletic department official said Thursday.
The day not only marked the end of April, it also marked the deadline for football season ticket renewals at BYU. Surprisingly, there hasn’t been a big drop-off in renewals, said BYU Associate Athletic Director for Communication Duff Tittle.
“Right now we feel pretty comfortable that we are doing quite well,” Tittle said. “We are really close to what we’ve done in the past, if you look at a snapshot over the last three years. So, that’s been a good thing. We’ve been pleased.”
BYU doesn’t release its season ticket sales numbers, but athletic director Tom Holmoe said in January that they increased in 2019, thanks to a strong home schedule that included Utah, USC, Washington and Boise State.
Duplicating that banner year, especially under the current circumstances, will be difficult, but, “it is fair to say that they are very close,” Tittle said.
Tittle said when he describes season ticket renewals as holding steady, he is comparing them to the last three years, and not just last year. The strength, or weakness, of BYU’s home schedules as an independent vary a lot from season to season, so looking at a 3-4 year window is a better indication.
“Honestly, that’s a tribute to Cougar Nation that they’re still renewing despite the (pandemic) fears,” Tittle said. “That’s just how our fans are — they love the program.”
With the renewal deadline having passed for Cougar Club members and former season ticket holders, season tickets are now available to be purchased by the general public. Single-game tickets are not yet available.
It’s another strong schedule, assuming the season is played, with home contests against Michigan State, Utah State, Missouri, Houston, San Diego State and North Alabama, an FCS school. Because BYU begins the season ticket renewal process earlier than most schools — in February, usually — and does it in waves based on priority, a lot of seats were renewed before the word “coronavirus” was a thing.
What if some, or all, of the games are canceled due to COVID19 spread?
Tittle said the BYU athletic department and ticket office “is obviously working on a plan” and has had “lots of dialogue” on it.
“You probably saw we rolled out our plan for sports camps (refunds),” he said. “The one for season tickets will be similar. It is just a little too early for us to know. We have to see what the next few weeks bring. … But we are prepared. That’s the key.”
Unlike Utah, which sent an email to its season ticket-holders with three options and extended its deadline to mid-May, BYU isn’t currently providing any options. That could change.
“There are so many variables right now, so many ways we can approach it,” Tittle said.
Several season ticket holders told the Deseret News that there has been some correspondence from BYU recently noting that refunds will be available if any games are canceled, or opponents changed. That language hasn’t been there before, to their recollection.
Could the schedule be changed? One option being discussed among college football stakeholders — coaches, athletic directors and school presidents — is playing conference games only. In response to that, some officials at independents such as BYU, Army, UMass and New Mexico State have discussed playing each other twice.
If that happens, BYU’s schedule would obviously be weakened considerably.
“We just want to play football,” Tittle said. “But some (options) are better than others.”
BYU’s average home attendance for football, (national ranking) and home opponents by year
2019 — 59,547 (22nd) — Utah, USC, Washington, Boise State, Liberty, Idaho State
2018 — 52,476 (33rd) — California, McNeese State, Utah State, Hawaii, Northern Illinois, NMSU
2017 — 56,267 (31st) — Portland State, Utah, Wisconsin, Boise State, San Jose State, UMass
2016 — 58,569 (28th) — UCLA, Toledo, Miss State, SUU, UMass, Utah State
2015 — 58,532 (30th) — Boise State, UConn, East Carolina, Cincinnati, Wagner, Fresno State
2014 — 57,141 (31st) — Houston, Virginia, Utah State, Nevada, UNLV, Savannah State
2013 — 61,255 (28th) — Texas, Utah, MTSU, Georgia Tech, Boise State, Idaho State
2012 — 61,161 (26th) — Washington State, Weber State., Hawaii, Utah State, Oregon State, Idaho
2011 — 60,265 (26th) — Utah, Central Florida, Utah State, SJSU, Idaho State, Idaho, NMSU
Member of Mountain West Conference
2010 — 61,381 (27th)
2009 — 64,235 (27th)
2008 — 64,102 (27th)
2007 — 64,497 (27th)
Note: Capacity of LaVell Edwards Stadium from 2005 to 2009 was 64,045; capacity from 2010 to present is listed as 63,470
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