DU Students Camp Out for Free Tickets

Students at the University of Denver continue to make the most of what has become a yearly tradition. Last Friday night, approximately 250 students braved the brisk fall weather and camped out overnight for a chance to win free student season tickets to DU hockey games.

The tradition started in 2001, with the hockey coach purchasing season tickets for the first two students in line. When Chancellor Rebecca Chopp arrived on campus, she expanded on the tradition by providing season tickets for the first 200 students in line.

“It really is cool to see, especially for our players to see, the support that the student body gives them,” says head coach David Carle. “It’s a cool experience for the students … to camp out on campus and then win free tickets to our home games.”

The tradition has grown to much more than just a campout. Students participated in lawn games, watched the women’s soccer team play, shared dinner and snacks, cheered the players in a hockey scrimmage, skated on the ice, enjoyed a movie, and then devoured donuts on Saturday morning before tickets were distributed.

The Pioneers’ first home game will be on Saturday, Oct. 13, during Homecoming weekend against Alabama-Huntsville.