Texas football: What effect Strong has had on ticket sales

Renewals could hit 90 percent; 3,000 new orders in place.

Hiring Charlie Strong has been well-received at the box office, it seems.

The Texas ticket office is projecting at least a 90 percent renewal rate for football season tickets,

and 3,000 new ticket orders have been established, UT ticket manager Mark Harrison said.

The 90 percent renewal rate represents 53,700 tickets, Harrison

said. After factoring in new sales, 17,000 student tickets, 4,000 for the visitors section and several thousand for UT faculty members and players, the ticket office expects to have between 7,000 and 10,000 remaining for general sales in August.

Royal-Memorial Stadium’s listed capacity is 100,119, a figure that includes fans in suites.

“It’s higher than the last two

years,” Harrison said of UT’s renewal rate. “Back several years ago, we were in the 93-94 percent renewal range, but that was one of the highest in the country. We’re still higher than most schools.

“A lot of schools are happy when they get to the 80-85 percent range. So we’re in good shape.”

April 30 was the renewal deadline for season-ticket holders. The ticket office will spend this month reaching out to those who haven’t renewed in hopes of getting a complete stadium sellout, which hasn’t happened since 2010.

That season, the Longhorns were coming off an appearance in the 2009 national championship game and a Big 12 title. But the football team went 5-7 that year, and season-ticket sales went backward in 2011.

Season-ticket sales are always watched closely after championship seasons or seismic events, such as a coaching change.

The Longhorns hadn’t changed coaches in 16 seasons, so it’s unclear how many renewals or new tickets can be attributed solely to the departure of Mack Brown and hiring of Strong.

However, Harrison said he’s detected a buzz from fans calling into the ticket office and while he attended events on the Comin’ On Strong Tour around the state.

“As far what’s a normal year, fans are usually responding to what happened previously and what they think the expectations are the coming year,” Harrison said. “I think the energy we’ve seen with coach Strong coming on board, that’s noticeable.

“I think that’s the large part in why our renewal rate is a little higher than what it’s been in normal years.”

Texas Athletic Director Steve Patterson has mentioned previously how the school “can get better” in its ticket operations. Harrison said the ticket office should be more proactive, much like professional sports teams’ ticket operations. Hence the emailing and calling by Harrison’s office to those who haven’t renewed.

Harrison said it’s unclear whether the ticket office will hire more people or use the current staff to make more communication efforts.