Ball State to Open Football Season with Enhanced Fan Experience

MUNCIE, Ind. –As momentum continues to build for the 2018-19 intercollegiate football season, Ball State athletics has added key initiatives to enhance the fan experience at Scheumann Stadium.

These additions include a new video display for football games, the sales of beer on a pilot basis, and the opportunity for any reserved season ticket holder to request a chair back.

"We have great fans and traditions at Scheumann Stadium, and we wanted to make our game day experience even better," Ball State Director of Athletics Beth Goetz said. "The new video board, chair back seating options and ability to purchase alcohol inside the stadium are just a few new perks fans can expect to see this year. We want everyone to enjoy the total experience of Cardinals game day and are working hard to feed the passion of our fans as they fill the Scheu."

For the first time, Ball State football fans will enjoy a permanent video display inside Scheumann Stadium. Over the past several years, a temporary board was installed prior to each season and removed at the conclusion of the schedule. Beginning with the Central Connecticut State game on Aug. 30, a 16-foot high by 36-foot wide Daktronics board with an impressive 10 mm pixel pitch will be placed over the south end zone — enhancing the video elements of the game day experience.

Beer will be available for fans at Scheumann Stadium, beginning this fall as part of a one-year pilot program developed by campus leaders with an emphasis on safety and responsibility. Beer sales will also be offered at men's and women's basketball games on the Ball State campus. As part of the pilot program, the following actions will be implemented:

Scheumann Stadium and Worthen Arena will have designated alcohol-free zones.
All game and event staff management will receive annual alcohol management training.
Patrons will be limited to two drinks purchased per transaction, with the sales cutoff slated for the end of the third quarter for football and women's basketball and the 10-minute mark of the second half for men's basketball.

In recent years, chair back seating was available only in a small section of the west grandstand at Scheumann Stadium. Beginning this year, any football reserved season ticket holder regardless of location may secure a chair back that will be installed for the season for $35. As per stadium policy, no outside chair backs are allowed due to safety and sizing concerns.

One additional change, following a nationwide safety and security trend, patrons will not be allowed to re-enter Scheumann Stadium or Worthen Arena once they leave.

Home game tickets are available at 888-BSU-TICKET and ballstatesports.com. All Ball State football fans are invited to "pack the Scheu" and cheer on the Cardinals during Ball State's Centennial year. Home games will be played:

August 30 (7 p.m.): Central Connecticut State (Halftime Fireworks, First Responders' Night)
September 22 (time TBD): Western Kentucky (Family Weekend)
September 29 (time TBD): Kent State
October 6 (time TBD): Northern Illinois
October 20 (3 p.m.): Eastern Michigan (Homecoming)
November 13 (6 p.m.): Western Michigan

Ball State to Open Football Season with Enhanced Fan Experience

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