Collegiate Times

During the 2005 football season, the Virginia Tech Hokies trumped the Virginia Cavaliers ? on all fields.

In play (after an excited fan sprayed a VT symbol on the Scott Stadium grass), Tech dominated UVA, 52-14. In season, Tech completed an honorable 11-2 record while UVA sluggishly finished 7-5.

And, in football ticket sales, Tech sold approximately $3,000,000 more than the in-state rival.

The same holds true for Tech?s neighbors to the west, the West Virginia University Mountaineers. While the Mountaineers raked in $6,277,340 in ticket sales, Tech practically doubled that number ? similar to Tech doubling the number on the scoreboard last season, 34-17.

According to a compilation report by Indystar.com, an online branch of the Indianapolis Star, Virginia Tech led the Atlantic Coast Conference in football ticket sales, bringing in $12,039,528. Clemson came in a close second with $12,010,706, and Florida State followed with $11,204,615.

The University of Virginia placed fourth with $9,097,643.

In terms of all schools ranked by football ticket sales, Tech finished 15th. As stated in the Indystar.com reports, Ohio State earned first place with $29,186,872 in sales, followed by the University of Michigan with $26,953,091.

And it?s possible that a football team may just be as good as the number of tickets sold.

A biennial study released in 2005 entitled ?Revenues and Expenses of Divisions I and II Intercollegiate Athletics Programs,? found that between 2001 and 2003 athletic revenues for Division I programs increased at a higher rate than athletic expenses.

At the same time, the report also indicated that ticket sales and cash contributions remain the largest sources of revenue at the typical Division I-A school, comprising 27 percent and 18 percent of the revenue, respectively.

Along with the money generated from ticket sales, Virginia Tech adds an additional $5,125,598 in contributions.

While this information may serve as good news for Frank Beamer and his football squad, the findings may not bode well with Seth Greenberg and his team.

The Indystar.com reports placed Virginia Tech fifth on the ACC list with $1,853,102 in sales. The University of North Carolina took a large lead with $6,800,881, followed by the University of Maryland with $4,824,552 in sales. Duke University did not participate in the study.

With schools outside of the ACC added in the mix, Tech landed in the 34th position.

On the women?s side, Beth Dunkenberger may find reprieve in knowing that her team earned the most in ticket sales of the ACC schools involved in the Indystar.com reports. The women?s basketball team brought in $217,290 in ticket sales, beating out the University of North Carolina?s $187,612 and University of Maryland?s $138,894.

Overall, Tech placed 19th. The University of Connecticut, with $4,227,145, earned the most in ticket sales.

Unlike some other ACC schools, Tech does not charge admission prices for other athletic contests. Fans can watch soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, volleyball and swimming and diving without spending a penny. Hence, Virginia Tech falls to the bottom of the chart in this particular category with a total accumulation of zero dollars.

Despite the no-charges on a majority of sporting events, Tech still managed to accumulate $14,109,920 in total ticket sales, second in the ACC. The University of North Carolina ? who brings in approximately $70,000 in other ticket sales ? led the ACC with $14,149,887.

And the school up north, with total ticket sales barely reaching$11,000, again finished behind Tech.