Feb. 23, 2000

For the first time in the 110 years of intercollegiate football, the University of Illinois began accepting season football ticket orders in February. Season ticket renewal forms went sent to 1999 season ticket holders last week, arriving in mailboxes throughout the state as early as Saturday. A season ticket mailing was also sent to more than 40,000 University of Illinois athletic ticket customers, a list that includes single-game and group ticket purchasers over the past three years.

The opening day of season ticket sales (Monday, Feb. 21) for the 2000 football season resulted in nearly 100 ticket orders with more than 300 season tickets sold on opening day. The 2000 home schedule features Michigan and Ohio State to face an Illinois squad that posted an 8-4 record in 1999 with victories on the road at Iowa, Ohio State and Michigan and a 63-21 Micronpc.com Bowl victory over Virginia, setting 22 offensive bowl game records.

"We're delighted with the opening day response from fans," said Dave Johnson, Assistant Athletic Director. "We are beginning football season ticket sales at least one month earlier than in any previous campaign due to the overwhelming response from Illinois fans asking for football season tickets. This drive is beginning early to give Illinois friends, fans, alumni and donors the opportunity to purchase season tickets and to plan early for the six home dates."

Season ticket orders will be accepted throughout the spring and summer, however, the deadline for season ticket order renewals is April 3. Single-game over-the-counter sales will kick off at the Assembly Hall North Box Office, by phone at (217) 333-3470 or on the internet at www.fightingillini.com on Thursday, April 12. The annual Orange and Blue Spring Football game is scheduled for Saturday, April 15 at Memorial Stadium.