Oct 17, 2024

Big Ticket Troubles

By Tate Chapman

Reporting Texas

AUSTIN, TX – Trouble with the Big Ticket has taken students at the University of Texas by surprise this semester.

Many Students have been unable to claim tickets for the football games, something many have never experienced in prior seasons. While the Big Ticket does not guarantee access to all games some students said it was never this difficult in the past.

Evelyn Barto, a freshman at The University of Texas at Austin got a strike on her account in the very first game. She claimed a ticket, got a wristband, and went to the game with no issues. Until she received an email from Texas Athletics stating she received a strike on her account for not attending the game. She is not the only one experiencing this issue.

Lily Rembert, a member of Longhorn Hellraisers also received a strike on her account but this time Texas Athletics quickly retracted the message and apologized.

“I got an email after the UTSA game, which I did not get a ticket for, saying I got a strike on my account and then they sent me an email like a week later saying, Oh we messed up you didn’t get a strike on your account sorry,” said Rembert.

A seating map of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium for 2024 in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 3, 2024. (Tate Chapman/Reporting Texas TV)

Strikes are serious and two strikes equals full revocation of the Big Ticket for the season.

Niamh Clancy, who also received a strike on her account, even had pictures to prove she was there.

Barto and Clancy both were told nothing could be done even though they scanned their tickets and were at the game. They said Texas Athletics was difficult to get a hold of as their office and phone number were nearly impossible to find.

“I had a friend of a friend who told me what the number was,” said Clancy.

The lack of accountability and communication from Texas Athletics has frustrated students who paid $200 for the Big Ticket. Some students use their hard-earned money, sometimes a whole paycheck, to buy the Big Ticket.

As for students hoping to get a refund, according to one of UT’s websites, a refund can not be issued unless enrollment is terminated at the University.

“I feel like they should be there for students because we’re the ones paying tuition for four years and then wanting to go to football games. So maybe prioritizing student experience and having it easier to talk to them about issues and not being so cut and dry that like it’s no exceptions at all,” said Clancy.