Wrestling Fans Encouraged To Arrive Early

Dec. 4, 2008

IOWA CITY, IA — University of Iowa Department of Athletics officials have some advice for fans planning to attend Saturday night’s dual match between the top-ranked Hawkeyes and the second-ranked Iowa State Cyclones – purchase your tickets in advance and plan to arrive early.

As of 9 a.m. Thursday, 13,500 tickets have been sold to the dual. In an attempt to break the national dual meet attendance record, the Hawkeyes have received special permission to increase Carver-Hawkeye Arena’s capacity from 15,500 to 16,000. The current record of 15,646 was set by Minnesota on Feb. 1, 2002, when the Golden Gophers hosted Iowa at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Tickets purchased in advance are $13 for adults, $7 for youth and University of Iowa students with a valid ID, and $2 for children ages five and under. Tickets purchased at the meet are $15 for adults, $8 for youth and UI students, and $2 for children ages five and under. UI students may purchase a reserved seat ticket at the youth price at the Iowa Athletic Ticket Office window, which is located on the concourse level of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. To order tickets contact the University of Iowa Athletic Ticket Office at 800-464-2957, 319-335-9327 or www.hawkeyesports.com.

In an attempt to relieve potential traffic congestion, the University Athletic Department is providing a cambus shuttle from the Hancher parking lots to Carver-Hawkeye starting at 6 p.m. and running until 30 minutes after the dual is over. The ticket office is also opening the will call window at noon for fans to pick up pre-purchased tickets. The window is located in the northwest corner of Carver-Hawkeye. The arena will open at 5:30 p.m. for the event.

Several free parking lots are also available for fans. The list includes the Dental Building lot located directly east of the arena, Finkbine Commuter lot, the parking lots west of Kinnick Stadium and the UI Recreation Building and a portion of the Arena Commuter lot. Fans can also park in available parking ramps. Handicapped parking is available in Lot 40 directly east of the arena.

Iowa (8-0) will put its 22-match winning streak on the line when it hosts Iowa State (3-0). The dual has been designated as a “Black Out” event, where fans are encouraged to wear black. The meet will also be the sixth event in the fifth annual Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series. Iowa currently leads the series, 7-4.