In today’s debilitated economy, businesses and establishments across America have raised prices in an attempt to bring in more money. Unfortunately, for attentive high school sports fans, this means increased ticket prices at certain games and events. It is understood that the school and the other local venues that host MHS games need to make money; it would not be feasible to make all games free for students. Still, certain regulation is necessary.
Now, while Mamaroneck football games may be free to attend, sports like ice hockey are certainly not. Ticket prices for hockey games held at Hommocks Ice Rink have increased to $7 per person at all home games. For a high school student, this can add up to over $50 for just the regular season games. And this is just for ice hockey. Obviously, this is a major inconvenience for fans who try to go to as many games as possible.
What’s even more frustrating for students is that some school events are ticketed, while others are not. Whether admission is free or ticketed is not dependent on the amount of fans the events draw. We think that a standard price for all sports, whose games are to be ticketed, should be set. This way, students would not have to pay an awkward $7 for one event, like hockey, and nothing for another event like a football game. A simple $5 per game is a reasonable and adequate price to set for all ticketed games and would possibly attract more people to the games who could not afford or simply did not want to pay for the higher prices.
Parents of players of teams whose games are ticketed are often awarded a free pass capable of being used at any home, regular season games. While this offer does not extend into the postseason, it is a major aid to parents who, like many fans, attend every game. We propose that the school offer Student Passes to high school students to be used for a certain number of (if not all) home games. Students would have to pay for the pass in advance, but could use it for the entirety of the school year.
In the case of ice hockey games, which are held at an off campus location, money from the games is not given to the high school. However, there is a clear relationship between the Hommocks Rink and MHS. This relationship would make it possible for our administration to communicate with those who work at the rink and make it possible for these passes to become legitimate. If the Rink maintains its $7 price, the school could offer to subsidize the extra $2 for students.
Supporting your high school sports teams is very important and enjoyable part of high school life. When ticket prices for some sports are so high, often for sports that attract the most fans, it is hard to expect as many students as possible to attend. With a low standard for ticket price, or a Student Pass allowing students to pay less to enter ticketed games, students would be more encouraged to attend events, spending less money in total, while the school and the town would still make a sufficient amount of money.
