In an effort to combat these trying economic times, the Drury University athletic department unveiled a new "Fam-Friendly Panther Pass" all-sports season ticket option on Thursday as part of its new overall "Your Panthers" interactive approach for younger fans at DU home sporting events.
The "Fam-Friendly Panther Pass" is available for $100 and will entitle a family of two parents and up to two children (ages 12-and-under) to free general admission seats for all Drury sporting events. (As always, kids 6-and-under are already admitted free to DU games).
That means an affordable, fun night out for the family for one low, up-front price for the 30 men's and women's basketball games played by the nationally heralded Panthers and Lady Panthers at Weiser Gym ... some 25 to 30 home baseball games at Meador Park ... a combined 17 games by the up-and-coming Drury men's and women's soccer teams... and nine home dates for a young and hungry DU volleyball squad.
It's our way of not only making it more feasible for fans with children to watch the Panthers and Lady Panthers compete for Great Lakes Valley Conference and NCAA-II supremacy in a variety of sports - Drury once again ranked in the Top 20 nationally in the Director's Cup all-sports competition last year - but also to send out Weiser Gym in style and giving more fans to grab a piece of history as the DU teams prepare to move into the plush O'Reilly Family Events Center in 2009-10.
When you consider that the walk-up price for a family of four to attend one basketball game at Weiser is $20, it's truly a bargain deal at a time when most Americans certainly could use one. But there's an added bonus: Our little fans are about to become a much bigger part of the action.
At a time when collegiate floors, fields and courts have seemingly become sacred, off-limits ground to the little ones, our future Panthers and Lady Panthers (12 and under) instead will be encouraged to come on down after games and play some ball for a few minutes with selected Panthers and Lady Panthers, who will stick around to make it an even more memorable event for the kids.
After all, who wouldn't enjoy a chance to grab an autograph, shoot around with their favorite basketball players, run the bases or maybe take a Whiffle ball swing or two, kick the soccer ball around on the turf at Harrison Stadium ... and in general, really get to know "Your Panthers?"
We also have lined up several new in-game and post-game contests involving our little fans such as free-throw shootouts, soccer goal-kicks against "celebrity" keepers, Whiffle ball home run derbies, volleyball serving contests, etc., Their reward for playing? A tasty treat on the way home from the game through our new "Compete For A Concrete" promotion, courtesy of the wildly popular Andy's Frozen Custard stores in Springfield.
How can you become a part of what promises to be another exciting year in Drury Athletics?
While reserved-seat season tickets for the respective sports still are a great option to pick your seat of choice, the most economical way for families to do so is through the "Fam-Friendly Panther Pass," which provides instant access to all sports where Drury charges an admission fee, including ...
*The tradition-rich Drury men's and women's basketball teams, who swept the Great Lakes Valley Conference championships last season. Coach Steve Hesser's Panthers returning three starters from last year's 25-6 finisher that made a third straight trip to the NCAA-II national tournament, while Coach Steve Harold's Lady Panthers have four starters back for a team that finished 28-4 and made their sixth straight trip to the NCAA-II tourney last March..
*The on-the-rise Drury men's and women's soccer programs of coach Alf Bilbao, including a women's squad that returns virtually intact from last season's surprising late-season surge to a GLVC Tournament championship and berth in the NCAA-II Sweet 16.
*The Panthers baseball program of coach Mark Stratton, which has won an amazing 60 games over its first two seasons of competition, including an NCAA-II bid and GLVC championship in its inaugural season.
*The DU volleyball squad of coach Amy Gardner, which capped a 15-15 season a year ago with a second appearance in three years in the GLVC Tournament field and will continue to build upon the success of several young players from last fall.
The "Fam-Friendly Panther Pass" can be purchased by calling (417) 873-4097. For more information, contact Scott Puryear at spuryear@drury.edu.
Don't miss your chance to take advantage of one of Springfield's best sports bargains, and an interactive entertainment experience with "Your Panthers" that will keep the little fans craving more!