The push is on to put people in the stands for the 1990 Huskie football games and has been for quite some time.

So far, so good.

Season ticket sales are up 33 percent already this year, according to John Penny, Director of Sales.

“We have sold over 2,000 season tickets so far,” Penny said. “We are up 33 to 34 percent and climbing and I expect sales to continue until Friday.”

Season tickets are the main area that the athletic administration wants to expand because season tickets are counted whether their owners are no-shows or not.

“You can’t rely on walk-ups,” Penny said. “You have to expand the season ticket base.”

Part of the reason for the season ticket increase is the new ticket policy in effect for the 1990 season. The plan offers fans incentives to purchase season tickets at discounted prices, as well as reduced-price tickets in the south end zone of Huskie Stadium on game day.

“We want to provide options for families and people with varied incomes and make them attractive,” Huskie Athletic Director Gerald O’Dell said.

Even former NIU men and women letterwinners who make up the new Northern Illinois Varsity Club can purchase tickets for a deflated price.

“This discount for former student-athletes is common among major and is part of a program started to create alumni involvement,” said Mary Mihelich, assistant athletic director for promotions and marketing.

The sales have been aided by the work of the Huskie Top Dog Club as well. The organization’s mission is to ensure NIU stays in Division I-A football by expanding and maintaining NIU’s season ticket base.

In order for the Huskies to maintain Division I-A status, they have to meet the attendance quota by 1991. Under the rule, NIU must draw an average of 20,000 fans home and away or 17,000 at Huskie Stadium once every four years.

“Basically, they (the members of the Top Dog Club) are a group of volunteers who sell season tickets,” Penny said. “And they get small incentives for their work.”

The athletic department hierarchy is optimistic the attendance goal will be reached this season.

“With five games at home instead of six like last year,” O’Dell said, “we definitely have a chance to make that attendance figure. Literally, four out of the five games could be sold out through season tickets or advance sales.”

“I think we have an excellent chance this year barring good weather,” Penny said. “Especially with our best home schedule yet.”

The Huskies are welcoming teams like Fresno State University and the first Big Eight school to play in DeKalb, Kansas State University. That’s one that head coach Jerry Pettibone would love to see a packed house for.

“We’ve never had a sellout crowd since I’ve been a coach at NIU,” Pettibone said. “And the dream that I have is for a sellout crowd against Kansas State.”