Students camp out for hoops tickets

Sleeping bags and lawn chairs cluttered the hallways of the Palestra this weekend as students waited in line to purchase season tickets to Penn basketball. Tickets went on sale at 6 a.m. this morning. Engineering sophomore Howie Goodman was first in line at about 3:30 a.m. Friday at Weightman Hall's North Lobby after the Athletic Department announced the ticket line location on its World Wide Web page. As of midnight, 150 students were signed up in teams. From Friday until 6 p.m. yesterday, one member of each group was required to be in line, and from 6 p.m. until midnight, two members were required in line. After midnight, all members were required to be in line at the Palestra. Debbie Newman, assistant to athletic director Steve Bilsky, said she made random checks to ensure that the proper number of group representatives were in line at all times. Twelve students lost their position in line as a result of these checks, she said. At midnight, with six hours left before tickets were available, the Athletic Department distributed pizza and soda to the students in line. The department also held a raffle offering such prizes as tickets to away games and to the Atlantic City Shootout in December. "We're trying to make it a fun and positive experience for the students," Newman said. Students spent the night outside the Palestra in the open air Saturday night. But because of the rain and cold weather, they were moved inside Friday night and last night. "We take into consideration the students' health and well-being during this process," Newman said, adding that security guards monitor the area at all times. To pass the time, many students studied for upcoming midterms, played pickup football on the tennis courts and played cards or chess. "The only thing you can do is your homework," College freshman Paras Shah said. "I might actually get all my work done." According to a new Athletic Department policy, those students who purchase courtside tickets will not be allowed to show their enthusiasm for the basketball team by standing throughout the game. A separate standing section will be located behind the basket at the west end of the court. When students purchase the center court tickets, they will be informed about the standing restrictions, Newman said. It has yet to be decided, however, if students will be required to sign a form designating that they understand the new policy. "If it's a close game such as the second half of the Princeton game as time is running out, I'm going to be standing," said College senior Chad Haller, who holds the No. 5 spot. Although Goodman said he understands why the alumni do not want students to stand, he said he would like to stand the entire game. "It's what basketball is all about," Goodman said.