Aug. 27, 2004

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Football ticket sales are closing in on the best year ever as the minutes tick off the clock toward the Sept. 5 Purdue-Syracuse game. Season tickets are sold through the second home game, so more than two weeks remain to surpass 2000-01, when 43,796 season tickets were sold, and 2001-02, when the number reached 42,397. As of Friday afternoon, season ticket sales stood at 41,403. All categories are up, with overall sales running 5.3 percent ahead of the same time last year. "With student season ticket sales continuing strong, and fans who want to see the marquee Big Ten match-ups needing to go the season ticket route, we have the potential to have the best season ticket sales ever," said ticket manager George Ade. "We have suspended sales of Ohio State and Michigan tickets to ensure that we can meet the student ticket demand," Ade said. "In addition, we are hearing from more and more fans who want to buy the whole season to be able to see those great October and November Big Ten games." Season tickets in the Family FanZone are now sold out, as are mini-season ticket packages that include Ohio State or Michigan. On Sept. 13, any remaining seats for Ohio State and Michigan will go on sale. Ade predicted there will be few, if any, left at that point. Similarly, ticket sales for the Wisconsin game are closing in on a sellout. Besides four Big Ten games against conference foes Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio State and Indiana, the Boilermakers take on the Syracuse Orange on Sunday, Sept. 5 and the Ball State Cardinals on Sept. 11. At the Sept. 11 Ball State game, a video tribute, ceremony and moment of silence will honor the victims and heroes of Sept. 11, 2001, during the pregame "All-American" Marching Band show. More than 30,000 small American flags will be distributed to fans as they enter. In addition, Purdue Student Government is selling limited-edition commemorative shirts for the game. More information is available by clicking here. At each home game, trading cards featuring Joe Tiller and players, based on the JumboHeroes theme used for a souvenir poster in 2003, will be distributed at the gate. "The response to the poster was such that we wanted to follow up with trading cards," said Jay Cooperider, associate athletics director. "Our initial distribution will be to youngsters 13 and under. But we will have a way for those born too soon to get these collectibles." Call (800) 49-SPORT or (765) 494-3194 to order, or follow the Tickets link at purduesports.com.

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