Beginning July 21, UAB employees can purchase an electronic all-sports pass that gives them a flexible and cost-effective way to attend any Blazer sporting event on campus for the 2008-09 academic year.
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The B-Ticket — in Green or Gold — provides admission to a set number of sporting events and provides other benefits from sponsors on or near campus. Green B-Ticket holders pay $10 per month and receive 50 credits toward sporting events for the upcoming academic year; Gold ticket holders pay $20 per month for 100 credits.
Both the Green and Gold B-Tickets can be purchased in full or through monthly payroll deduction from the ticket office at 975-UAB1.
The greatest benefit of the B-Ticket is its flexibility, says Sam Miller, associate athletic director for marketing.
Each time a B-Ticket holder attends an event, one credit is deducted for them and an additional credit for each person attending as their guest.
“You could take a family of five to 10 sporting events or you could go to one sporting event with 49 friends — or you could go to 50 events by yourself,” says Miller. “That’s the great thing about the card — you can use it any way you want.”
Employees purchasing either card receive a credit card-size B-Ticket along with a key-chain-size B-Ticket. Either can be used to enter a sporting event by swiping them through a scanner.
B-Ticket holders are guaranteed a general admission seat at any event they attend. There may be select events during the season for which there is no general admission seating, such as UAB vs. Memphis in men’s basketball. In those cases, it will cost multiple credits, but B-Ticket holders will get the initial opportunity to “purchase” their tickets prior to availability to the general public.
“It’s really another perk because employees get first dibs on the best-available seats,” Miller says. “And only for games for which there is no general-admission seating will it cost them multiple credits.”
Miller says the athletic department will send out an e-mail and letter 60 days prior to any event for which general-admission seating is not available. B-Ticket holders will have 30 days to reserve their ticket for the special event.
Discounts to ASC a perk
Green B-Ticket holders also will receive free cookies at Full Moon BBQ with a purchase of any sandwich or plate and a 10 percent discount on season ticket packages at the Alys Stephens Center in addition to admission to 50 sporting events.
Gold Level members receive those benefits and others, including:
• Admission to 100 sporting events
• 25 percent discount on any meal at Loco’s Deli
• Discount on UAB merchandise at Barnes & Noble at UAB
• 20 percent discount at the Alys Stephens Center for four special shows (the season opening celebration with BeauSoleil, Sept. 26; Turtle Island Quartet & the Assad Brothers, Oct. 19; Jungua: Descendants of the Dragon, Nov. 1-2; Reflect and Rejoice: A Community Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., Jan. 18, 2009)
• A 2008 Legion Field parking pass for the upcoming football season
If an employee purchases a B-Ticket and wants to add to their credits during the year they will be able to do so, Miller says.
Employees have flexibility
A cross-section of employees were asked in focus groups earlier this year what it would take to get them more involved in athletics and other campus activities. Miller says the No. 1 answer was affordability of events.
“Now we are giving UAB employees the flexibility to attend games in the way that makes the most sense for them,” Miller says. “Hopefully we’ve found a balance and this will be inviting for all employees and their families.”
Contact Miller at samiller@uab.edu if you would like someone from the UAB Athletic Department to make a presentation to your group or visit www.uab.edu/bticket to get your B-Ticket today.