On Oct. 3, DU students will rise with the sun in an effort to receive free season hockey tickets.
The 2015 Hockey Campout will begin on the evening of Oct. 2 when students will gather to pitch their tents and roll out their sleeping bags.
Once the sun finally rises, the pep band, cheerleaders and hockey team will greet the fans who have gathered outside of the Ritchie Center. The hockey players bring donuts for their dedicated fans and also give a few speeches before the ticket office opens at 9 a.m.
The campout has been a large success in DU’s history. 350 season tickets were sold to students last year at this event.
This year, even more students are expected to attend due to a new effort pioneered by Undergraduate Student Government. Cam Hickert and Jess Davidson, the USG president and vice president, spoke to students last spring and found that free hockey tickets were something desired by many.
After speaking to the Athletics Office and the Chancellor’s Office, Hickert was able to acquire 400 free student tickets for every home hockey game this upcoming season.
There will be 200 Golden Tickets distributed to the first 200 students in line on the morning of the campout. Those that receive a Golden Ticket will be able to attend every home game (including the Battle on Blake) for free.
The Battle on Blake is a special game where the Pioneers will face cross-state rival, the Colorado College Tigers, at Coors Field on Feb. 20.
For individuals that are not in the first 200, season tickets may still be purchased for $52 apiece.
However, the non-Golden season tickets do not include admission to the Battle on Blake.
Tickets must be purchased for this event separately at $10 for Denver students.
The school is also offering Crimson tickets. These limited tickets will be distributed an hour before home games in the Crimson Tent on the north side of Driscoll Student Center.
“DU is an awesome place and we are hoping that students will take this opportunity to rally around our awesome hockey program,” said Hickert.
Also on Oct. 3 at 5 p.m., the Pioneers will take to the ice for their annual Crimson vs. Gold team scrimmage.
“We are hoping to build community on campus. When you look nationally, the best way to build school spirit is with athletics so we want to take advantage of that,” said Hickert.
