Students to pay at least $50 for Notre Dame game

CORRECTION: Due to a reporting error, this article misstated the date of the game. The game against Notre Dame will be held on Nov. 12 at FedEx Field. The below article and the deck head have been changed to reflect this correction.

Thousands of students snagged free tickets to the Terrapins football game against Navy last September, but watching the team take on Notre Dame University this year will come with a much heftier price tag.

The Nov. 12 game will be held at FedEx Field in Washington, and the only tickets available to students will be for 400-level seats ranging from $50 to $60. Lower level seats are also available at $95 and top level seats for Terrapin Club members are available at $120.

Matt Monroe, assistant athletic director of ticket services, said in last year's high-profile game against Navy at M&T Bank Stadium — considered a home game for the Terps — the athletics department was able to negotiate 3,000 complementary student tickets under its contract with the stadium. However, this year is a home game for Notre Dame, which has a contract with FedEx Field. Monroe said the university only received a small number of complementary tickets, most of which were given to the players' families, football staff and the university marching band.

"The prices are pretty much laid out for us," Monroe said. "It's just like we're going to the South Bend when FedEx Field is right down the street."

Several students said they are unwilling to pay the price to snag a seat.

"If it was $60 for a season pass, that'd be cool, but no, it's $60 for one game between two athletic programs that are not that good. … It's not worth it at all," said sophomore microbiology major Chuka Udeze, who added he had been "so pumped" for the game until he learned the ticket cost.

"Plus they're 400-level seats, so you'll get nosebleeds and pay $60."

Sophomore letters and sciences major Brady Griffin agreed.

"You're paying professional prices for a college football game," he said.

Monroe said the athletics department made efforts to get students the best deal possible, noting officials managed to reserve student seats directly behind the university marching band that were originally $95. Students can now get these for $60.

"We are eating some of the cost, but this year and last year are very different games," he said.

Monroe added the athletics department is still discussing with the Division of Student Affairs whether they can provide shuttle buses to and from the stadium for students.

But sophomore letters and sciences major Dylan Amoroso said while the price tag is high, he still expects a good student turnout.

"It's against Notre Dame, so it will still be a good fun game, plus it's in D.C., which is kinda cool," Amoroso said. "I'll still probably go since I go to all the sports."

villanueva@umdbk.com