The NIU Athletic Board approved a new ticket policy for the 1990 football season.

The plan, which goes into effect immediately, offers Huskie 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 very attractive,” Athletic Director Gerald O’Dell said.

The only catch to the plan is the increase in the price of single-game tickets, on the West side of the stadium, from 1989’s price of $8 to the new price of $10. The new price is still one of the lowest costs in major-college football.

Northwestern University offers the lowest game-day ticket in the Big Ten Conference at $15 a crack. The lowest price in the Big Eight Conference is also $15 at the University of Missouri and Kansas University.

Three of NIU’s 1990 opponents offer the same $10 price as the Huskies—the University of Toledo, University of Southwestern Louisiana and Fresno State University.

Other than the single game increase, the NIU seating options are the same as in the past with the exception of the newly instituted “First and Ten” and the “Super Saver” plans.

The “First and Ten” plan includes the section in the East stands at Huskie Stadium between the 45-yard lines. Anyone who buys one reserved season ticket for $48 can purchase a second ticket for $10. The combined total of $58 for the two season tickets is a 40 percent discount and less than the price of three single-game tickets.

The “Super Saver” tickets will be available in advance or on game-day for $5 a piece and the seats will be located in the south end zone of the stadium.

Also being accomodated in the plan are former men and women letterwinners from NIU which make up the new Northern Illinois Varsity Club. Members can purchase season tickets for $25.

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

As for students, options remain the same. All current NIU students with updated school identification cards will be admitted free into Sections F and G and in the north end zone at the stadium as in the past.

“Our basic objective with the 1990 ticket plan is to serve our customers in a more convenient manner,” Mihelich said. “Based on our history and attendance projections this year, it will be difficult to wait until game day to buy a ticket and sit on the 45-yard line.”

Another objective to the plan was to put people in the seats because NIU has to meet a Division I-A attendance quota by 1991. Under the rule, NIU must draw an average of 20,000 home and away or 17,000 at Huskie Stadium once every four years to maintain I-A status.

Last season, the Huskies averaged 13,000 at home. That number was a 46 percent increase over 1988, so the Athletic Administration is optimistic in attaining that goal in 1990, rather than wait until 1991.

“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 advanced sales.”