Auburn University has announced a list of 25 enhancements coming to football game days in an attempt to make Saturdays at Jordan-Hare Stadium more enjoyable.
Items on the list include concession price reductions and fan events, among other things.
At the concession stand, a 20 oz. bottled water will now cost attendees $2 instead of $4, and hotdog prices have been knocked down from $4 to $3.
Rush Jones, senior in Pre-med, said he was excited about the concession changes.
"I think they're good," Jones said. "My favorite was the hotdog and water decrease in prices."
Other enhancements in the concession department will be the addition of "grab-and-go" concession stands at gate 0 and 2, as well general public access Friday nights to Auburn's new Wellness Kitchen.
Several of the other items on the list concern ticketing and ticket access. For instance, fans will be able to access their tickets to games on their smartphones, which can then be scanned upon entry like a paper ticket.
Fans will also be able to enter the stadium through gates that were previously designated for University faculty.
Faculty tickets will have unique barcodes, and faculty will be permitted through any of the public gates.
The University is also making efforts to minimize purchases of fake tickets, instituting a system that will require scalpers to identify themselves as such. Scalpers must be licensed to sell tickets and will wear identification.
"While this does not legitimize the tickets as authentic, it does give the buyer the ability to write down the name of the seller to notify the authorities if counterfeit tickets are identified," according to the list released by the University
There were several events listed as well, including fan access to Pat Dye Field following the game against Samford on Saturday, Nov. 22, the honoring of two past Tiger teams (1989 and 2004) and the third annual military appreciation game Nov. 8 against Texas A&M.
Also announced was the opening of Cafe Jordan-Hare.
Described as a "unique dining experience at the 50-yard line," it will be open the Fridays prior to the games against LSU and South Carolina.
Jones said he doesn't plan on trying to take part in Cafe Jordan-Hare.
"I could see it being expensive," Jones said. "And I don't have a lot of money."
Restrooms in Jordan-Hare will also be receiving enhancements, including bathroom attendants, fans and audio for access to the Auburn IMG Network broadcasts in all restrooms located on the lower concourse.
"We're extremely grateful for the hard work that Auburn Athletics has put into improving the game day experience," said SGA President Logan Powell. "Mr. Jacobs' leadership in putting students and fans first will only improve a football atmosphere that is already first-class."
Powell also said these enhancements add to the already high level of anticipation for the 2014 season.
"I'm confident that I'm speaking on behalf of the student body when saying this only makes me even more excited for the upcoming season," Powell said.
SGA Treasurer Richmond Gunter also pointed how the changes the changes will mimic the action on the football field this fall.
"Our offense is fast on the field; hopefully our texts and tweets will be faster following this upgrade," Gunter said. "Keeping students hydrated and connected will allow each of us to enjoy gamedays even more."
These enhancements will all be instituted by Auburn's first home game, a 3:00 p.m. matchup with SEC West foe Arkansas on Aug. 30.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
