Office of University Communications 

JQH Arena basketball season tickets now on sale to general public

Benefits include opportunities to pre-order concert tickets

SPRINGFIELD, MO – Now that the initial seat selection process for prior season-ticket holders has been concluded, season tickets to Bears and Lady Bears basketball games in JQH Arena are on sale to the general public, and they come with two special benefits just announced by Missouri State University officials: 1) the opportunity to order concert tickets early, and 2) a 10 percent discount on purchases in the Team Store.

To be eligible for the special benefits, season ticket holders for Bears and/or Lady Bears must be at the $500 per seat assessment or above, and either already purchased season tickets or purchase tickets by Oct. 1, 2008. For more information about purchasing season tickets, those interested may call (417) 836-7678.

The $67 million JQH Arena at Missouri State University will be open in time for the 2008-09 basketball seasons. The first game is Nov. 22, featuring the Bears against the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. The Lady Bears play Arkansas State the following day, Nov. 23.  University officials also hope to host concerts and other special events beginning in November.

Season tickets holders at the $500 seat assessment or above will be able to order tickets to concerts and other special events before the tickets go on sale to the general public. The season tickets holders will be able to indicate the number of seats and price range, with the exact seats, pending availability, to be determined later in the process. Pre-ordering will be available on most concerts and events; a few performers prohibit such sales in their contract.

Likewise, season ticket holders will be able to purchase clothing, memorabilia and other items in the Team Store in JQH Arena at a 10 percent discount. The Team Store will be just off the Grand Entrance.

The 24 suite holders will have the ability to purchase tickets for their suite for every special event in JQH Arena.

“Season ticket sales have gone extremely well so far,” said Padraic McMeel, director of athletics development. “We have had a great response from our past season ticket holders. When it’s all said and done, we believe the lower bowl (6,000 seats) will be full for the Bears. While there are more seats available in the lower bowl for Lady Bears, we expect to be full by the time the first game comes Nov. 23.

“As we have had our individual meetings, there has been great interest by fans in the concerts and other special events that will be coming to JQH Arena. Therefore, we thought the advance ordering would be a welcome benefit. It is one of the ways we can say ‘thanks’ to our season ticket holders at the $500 level and above.”