Bell Game Tickets Sold Out
October 27, 2009 by BBO
Filed under Featured, News & Student Life
By Kim Ngai and Sabrina Syed, Editors-in-Chief
Photographs by Josh Alvaro
UPDATE: Bell Game Moved to CSUF
As of two ‘o clock in the afternoon, both Fountain Valley and Edison High Schools sold out of their respective Bell Game tickets.
FVHS Activities Director Mrs. Krimker comments, “This is the first time tickets have sold out on the first day. FVHS cannot directly solve this shortage of tickets because it is Edison\’s home game.”
Principal Herzfeld says, “OCC controls the number of tickets provided to each school. Fountain Valley received 2,950 tickets since we\’re the visitors and Edison, the home team, received 3,900.”
An announcement during fourth period notified students tickets were running out fast. Baron parents and alumni were buying tickets while students were in class, and administration wanted to ensure that all students were forewarned to buy their tickets as soon as possible.
Edison High was sold out of its tickets before Fountain Valley at ten ‘o clock in the morning and many Charger parents attempted to purchase tickets from the FV Financial Office. Ms. Helenihi and Ms. Musso ensured that these parents were not able to buy tickets, turning away anyone from Edison.
The announcement prompted a rush of students to line up outside the financial office, and the line did not diminish until after 5th period, when it was announced tickets were officially sold out.
“Honestly, I didn\’t think I was in line buying tickets to a football game. It felt more like I was in line to see Megan Fox because I was surrounded by a mass of fanatics,” says senior Sohail Tehrani.
Many students were angered, mistakenly thinking the announcement was made to ensure tickets would sell out accordingly. Others were outraged by sales procedure.
“It was unfair that people were allowed to buy a lot of tickets at a time, and that alumni instead of seniors had a chance to buy them first,” complains senior Jovo.
“Since next year\’s game will be a home game, Fountain Valley hopes to make some changes in our traditions. We are thinking of limiting the amount of tickets that can be purchased at a time,” says Krimker.
Unfortunately, no one was able to predict such a reaction, but plans to make next year\’s Bell Game more efficient are already being discussed.
When asked if there was anything Fountain Valley could currently do, the principal responded, “Unfortunately, since it’s Edison’s home game, it is their choice and responsibility to keep or change the venue.”
About the possibility of hosting the game at Angels Stadium next year, when it’s Fountain Valley’s home game and it can control the venue, the principal adds, “Though we have held the game at Angels Stadium before, it is not the best choice due to the many problems that arise. A lot of the seats are lower, blocking many audience members’ views when others stand up. We don’t want to have to tell people to sit down when fans want to show support. Also, the facilities aren’t separated by team, so both Baron and Charger fans must use the same bathrooms, halls, etc. This has led to fights, arguments and other security problems in the past. We are trying our best to get a better venue for next year, we don’t want it at OCC either, but again, for this year, it’s Edison’s home game.”
ASB was just as surprised as well and did not foresee such a frantic rush either.
“It\’s astonishing how fast the tickets sold out. They were only on sale for five periods! As of now, we are doing our best to find any possible solutions. And we are definitely planning ways to make our home game next year a lot better,” says ASB president Dorothy Dang.
Regrettably for all Barons, the school cannot provide more tickets or take back tickets sold. For those without tickets, there are currently no solutions.
Edison High School’s Activities Director could not be currently reached for comment, however information about Edison’s plans will be updated soon.
Adviser Note: After consulting with Kyle Middlebrooks we’ve confirmed that he did not write the comments attributed to him; therefore, the editors decided to delete that and all replies associated with it.
