The University of Delaware athletics department has announced new policy for re-entrance to Delaware Stadium at home football games and preference in purchasing basketball season tickets and VIP parking.
Information regarding both new policies have been mailed to UD football and basketball season ticket holders.
Effective with the 2001 football season opener vs. Rhode Island Aug. 30 at Delaware Stadium, the University will enforce a "no pass-out policy." Spectators who leave Delaware Stadium at halftime or at any time before the end of the game will not be allowed to re-enter the facility and will be asked to leave University property. Fans are still required to enter the stadium at or before game time.
Also, effective immediately, all members of the Delaware Diamonds Society, those individuals who contribute $1,000 or more annually to unrestricted use by the University or to the program of their choice, be it an academic or athletic program, will receive first preference for men's basketball season tickets as well as for VIP parking at football and basketball games.
Funds resulting from this new policy will be used for additional athletic scholarships required for the Blue Hens to remain competitive in all sports within the new Colonial Athletic Association.
The policy regarding re-entrance to Delaware Stadium continues efforts to better enforce UD's tailgating policy. An April 9 issue of the NCAA News reported that the vast majority of stadiums across the country now enforce "no pass-out" policies to ensure the safest environment possible for fans.
Only seven NCAA Division I-A and I-AA stadiums nationwide, including Delaware, did not enforce such a policy last season. The Southeastern Conference adopted the policy for all of its institutions at its spring meeting last year.
Premium seating at the Bob Carpenter Center is awarded based on an individual's level of giving and longevity as a season ticket holder, with overall preference given to Delaware Diamonds. Delaware Diamonds will be afforded the early portion of the ticket-sales period to purchase seats.
Membership in the Delaware Diamonds Society will ensure top priority for the purchase of VIP football and basketball parking, and only Delaware Diamonds will be guaranteed preferred parking from year to year. To join the Delaware Diamonds Society, contact the Office of University Development at 302-831-6276.
The University of Delaware set a school record for average football attendance for the second straight year in 2000, ranking fourth among all I-AA schools with an average of 21,154 fans per game at 22,000-seat Delaware Stadium. The Hens also averaged a league-leading 4,848 fans per game for men's basketball games at the 5,000-seat Bob Carpenter Center during the 2000-01 campaign.