The University Record, September 10, 1997
|
|
DPS Officer Mark West holds a handful of tickets, though not for the upcoming game against Colorado. Those tickets are scarce, as are tickets for most home football games this year, note DPS officials. Ticket scalpers—individuals who buy tickets and sell them at a profit—are expected to be in evidence around Michigan Stadium Saturday and fans are urged to beware of scalpers and of counterfeit tickets. Photo by Bob Kalmbach |
By Kerry Colligan
It’s Sept. 13, football Saturday. University of Colorado Buffalo fans are whooping it up, itching to see an opening day road win. If you are like many U-M football fans, you don’t have a ticket. Most of the games were sold out during the summer.
Keith Molin, senior associate director of athletics, along with the Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS), is concerned that ticket scalpers may take advantage of the high demand.
“It’s really painful and unfortunate to see faculty, staff and students buying tickets with no other intent but to sell them for personal profit. That’s not what University athletics are about,” Molin says.
It is illegal to sell tickets for greater than face value. In addition, it is illegal to sell anything in or around the stadium without a permit, says Larry Jerue, AAPD staff sergeant.
According to DPS and the AAPD, you could have tickets confiscated, be placed under arrest, charged with a misdemeanor, fined $100 and serve 90 days in jail if you find yourself selling football tickets in or around the stadium.
“We understand that you may find yourself with an extra ticket. People need to know that selling tickets is legal as long as it is not done in public, along the roadway, in or around the stadium,” Jerue explains.
In other words, if you need to sell a ticket, start networking, call friends or neighbors-provided they’re not Colorado natives.
The AAPD and DPS will work together to curb ticket scalping and counterfeit ticket production this season. Both units will have undercover officers at the stadium specifically assigned to addressing illegal ticket sales.
Smiley cautions prospective ticket buyers to beware of the presence of counterfeiters. Last season, DPS officers saw a noticeable increase in counterfeit tickets, particularly at the Michigan State and Ohio State games. “People are well advised that they are not to buy tickets from any source other than the University ticket office,” Smiley says. “The best advice is to buy tickets through the University.”
Much of the law enforcement units’ efforts will be focused on individuals selling multiple tickets. “I would truly love to catch someone in possession of 50 forged tickets. Those are the people who are preying on hard-working U-M football fans,” Jerue says.
