Jan. 14, 2000

TEMPE, Ariz. - Fans attending Arizona State University football games this Fall (2000) will notice changes that will add to fan comfort and the overall event experience, ASU Director of Athletics Kevin White announced Thursday.

A committee, with representatives from all constituencies (season ticket holders, ASU students, Sun Angel Foundation, ICA, ICA Board, ASU Alumni Association) met recently, and responded to fan sentiments and made a number of recommendations.

Among the changes include returning to as many of the traditional 7 p.m. (MST) start times as possible, a significant reduction in the number of public address announcements heard throughout the stadium and the addition of a 9,000 square-foot hospitality tent (compliments of the ASU Alumni Association) which will be erected for every game at the Sun Devil Club Plaza for all fans to enjoy prior to home games.

As ASU's multimedia rightsholder, the Sun Devil Sports Network, will discontinue selling new public address announcements in their packages for sponsors. Some announcements that are heard may have been sold prior to this season and will be phased out over time. Additional effort will be made to reduce significantly the number of announcements that are made at ASU games.

In addition, with regard to the Pacific-10 Conference's national television contracts, ASU will continue to hold steadfast to the policy that ABC cannot televise any ASU games at 12:30 p.m. (MST) during the month of September. Also, ASU may move a game date in September, but will not move a game time to a window earlier than 7 p.m. (MST) during September. And, ASU will not move a game time in any month for any reason other than a contractual Pacific-10 Conference television agreement.

"It is our hope that these changes and others to follow will greatly improve the fan experience at Sun Devil Stadium for the ASU faithful," says White. "We have received extensive input from the entire ASU community, wherein the above recommendations were conceived. Arizona State University will always endeavor to improve fan services as well as programatic success, this is just another important step in that direction."