Oct. 24, 2005
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Thanks to the tipoff of single-game ticket sales for the 2005-06 season, the Notre Dame women’s basketball team enjoyed one of the biggest one-day surges in ticket purchases since the program achieved varsity status back in 1977. Less than eight hours after single-game tickets went on sale Monday, a total of 1,421 tickets for the Dec. 31 game between the Irish and Tennessee at the Joyce Center were sold through a variety of outlets, already making the New Year’s Eve contest one of the hottest tickets in Michiana.
“I’m not at all surprised that Notre Dame women’s basketball fans have stepped up and shown their support so far,” Irish coordinator of basketball operations Stephanie Menio said. “This is exactly why we are encouraging everyone to get their tickets early, not only for the Tennessee game, but for all 15 of our home games this year. Our season ticket package also is one of the best buys in town and a great way for fans of all ages to catch all of the action in 2005-06, including some very exciting new promotional events, at a very reasonable price.”
Single-game tickets for the 2005-06 Notre Dame women’s basketball season now are on sale to the general public at a cost of $8 for adults and $5 for youths (18-and-under) or seniors (55-and-older), while Notre Dame/Saint Mary’s/Holy Cross students are admitted free with their student ID. Season tickets also are being sold for Notre Dame’s 15-game home schedule (13 regular season games, two exhibitions) at a cost of $58 each for adults (less than $4 per game) or $162 for Fan Packs (a block of four tickets that averages less than $3 per ticket per game). Purchases can be made in person (second-floor ticket windows at the Joyce Center at the Gate 1 entrance are open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST), by phone (574-631-7356), or on-line through the official Notre Dame athletics web site (www.und.com; click on the “tickets” link at the top of the main page). Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards are accepted.
Besides Tennessee, which will be making its first visit to South Bend since 1994, Notre Dame will play host to several other NCAA Tournament qualifiers from a year ago, including Connecticut, USC and DePaul. The season begins next Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. (EST), when the Irish welcome Indianapolis to the Joyce Center for the first of two exhibition games. Notre Dame’s regular-season schedule gets underway Friday, Nov. 18 at 9 p.m. (EST) when the Irish entertain Michigan on “Opening Night 2005” at the Joyce Center. Fans will have the opportunity to get a professional-quality photograph taken, courtesy of Lighthouse Imaging, and a free hard copy of that photo will be available immediately following the game.
Notre Dame is coming off a 27-6 season in 2004-05, rising as high as third in the national polls, and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Irish have three starters and eight monogram winners back from that club this season, and have been ranked as high as 15th in the nation, according to preseason polls released by Athlon Sports and the Women’s Basketball News Service (WBNS). In addition, senior co-captain Megan Duffy (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne) has been tapped as a preseason All-American by three separate media outlets — the WBNS (first team), Street & Smith’s (“Terrific 10”) and Lindy’s College Basketball Annual (third team). Duffy was an Associated Press honorable mention All-America pick in 2004-05, as well as a first-team all-BIG EAST Conference selection after averaging 12.3 points and 5.4 assists per game, ranking second in the league in the latter category. She also led the BIG EAST in steals (2.73 spg.) and free throw percentage (school-record .895), while also ranking fourth in the nation in foul shooting.
— ND —