June 1, 2009

Fighting Illini football fans that belong to the I FUND will now have an opportunity to choose the game day parking experience that best suits their needs on a priority points basis. This announcement follows the 2008 reseating process that received rave reviews from fans and eased the transition into the renovated Memorial Stadium.

"Based on the feedback we received from our football fans last season, it was clear our customers enjoy having the power to choose their own game day experience," Assistant Athletic Director for Ticketing Jason Heggemeyer said. "Given the popularity of the priority point reseat system we implemented to allow fans to select their seats, we have extended that customer service and outreach to our game day parking. The feedback we are receiving has been both positive and immediate."

I FUND donors were given an opportunity to select priority parking in a form mailed earlier in May. Over 2,700 forms were received in just more than a week, already accounting for more than half of the customers that will select their parking lot via this process. The remainder of the forms must be completed and returned to the ticket office by June 5 deadline for full consideration.

Forms should be completed in full using the system outlined in the mailing. If the form is incomplete or not returned, the ticket office will select the closest remaining lot in proximity to Memorial Stadium when the donor's priority point placement is reached within their donor level.

The number of Fighting Illini football season ticket holders has doubled over the last two seasons. The increasing popularity of Illinois football has created four sellouts in each of the last two seasons, something which hadn't occurred since 1986, causing overcrowding in the parking lots near Memorial Stadium and parking frustrations for fans.

The new system will guarantee I FUND donors not only a space in a parking lot - but a space in the lot they personally choose via the priority point system.

"This is a level of customer service that exceeds the intercollegiate athletics standard," said Chris Hanna, Assistant Athletic Director for Sales and Marketing. " And something that has become an Illinois trademark during Heggemeyer's tenure.

"Parking is important to our customers and `I Decide' will really enhance our customers' experience on Saturdays this fall," Heggemeyer said. "The program guarantees a spot in the designated lot so Fighting Illini fans can fully enjoy their game-day experience."