New coach, game with Wisconsin help spike UNLV football ticket sales

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, April 15, 2010 | 2:06 a.m.

There have been 603 new season tickets sold for the UNLV football team's home schedule next fall.

The Rebels open Sept. 4 at Sam Boyd Stadium against Wisconsin to highlight a six-game home schedule that also includes in-state rival Nevada-Reno.

While the schedule is more attractive than years past, it's not the main reason why sales have spiked, according to officials.

Perk Weisenburger, UNLV's associate athletics director for external operations, credits first-year coach Bobby Hauck for creating the excitement. Fans are optimistic Hauck can turn the program, which has played in only three bowl games in its history, into a winner.

"I would attribute a lot of it to Bobby Hauck," Weisenburger said. "With the recruiting class he signed and how much he's been out in the community, it's rejuvenated the program."

Playing Wisconsin doesn't hurt, either.

When Wisconsin played in Las Vegas in 2007, Weisenburger said, Badger fans bought 2,078 season tickets. They are responsible for 125 of the 602 new ticket sales.

Tickets cost $185 per ticket for a sideline seat, or $100 for the end zone. There is also a four-game package for $50 a ticket, but that doesn't include the Wisconsin game.

"It's a heck of a deal, it really is," Weisenburger said.

Renewal notices were mailed in early April to the 4,359 season ticket holders from last year. Weisenburger expects several to renew, with 92 percent of the 2008 holders renewing for 2009.

Individual tickets will go sale July 10, which is when the Weisenburger expects a push from Wisconsin fans.

"We wanted to give locals the opportunity to buy the tickets first," Weisenburger said.

Tickets can be purchased at UNLVtickets.com or during Saturday's spring game at noon at Sam Boyd.