From a fan’s point of view, the option to raise ticket prices for North Dakota State football games may not be a bad one. Unpopular? Yes, but there would be a number of upsides along with it.

Now, any time the idea of raising ticket prices come up, fans react against it. It is understandable; we already pay a decent-sized activities fee, so why should we pay more to go to a football game?

Because in the bigger picture, it might be a good thing.  There are many different ways to sell these tickets, and it is not my place to say how to do it.

But let’s just say that single game tickets for Bison Football games are $5-$10 dollars. Considering that there will be six regular season games at the Fargodome, maximum of $60 is spent to attend all home games. In the grand scheme of things, that is not that much to give up.

But while the list against the price is short and strong, think about some positives that could come out of this.

First off, the people that attend the games. One of the big things of having free tickets is anyone can come to the games. This can be good and bad. This allows for people who just come to the game to come, but the student section of the Fargodome is not somewhere you go to relax.

If you come to the student section you better be on your feet, screaming and yelling while on defense, and quiet enough to hear a pin drop prior to the snap on offence. If you have paid, you probably won’t feel so inclined to sit on your phone most of the time.

The students are a large reason that the Fargodome has the reputation that is has.

At least for the first half and that may another positive. I have never understood when people leave before the end of the game, even if it is a blowout. If you have paid for a ticket, you might as well stay until the end. Keep bringing the noise, keep bringing the passion that creates energy that the Fargodome is known for.

Then there is the revenue that comes in as well. A couple months ago, athletics came asking for an increase in budget even though there have been cuts elsewhere on campus. This adds another revenue stream that can increase funds to the program without compromising something else on campus. In the end, this could turn out to be a win-win for everyone.

The question that should be asked is: how much do you support your team? Can you give some of your hard-earned money up to help cheer them on? I know I can.

I will still be out, standing in line at 7:30 a.m. for an 11 a.m. kickoff in December.  It’s a sacrifice made for the greater good of the team, the team that has brought us so much joy over the past five years.

If you can’t afford this, may I give some alternatives? I hear Biolife pays well, and that a McDonald’s run doesn’t have to happen if you are in need of the cash. And if they can accept something like this at the University of North Dakota for hockey, why can’t we?