The Pete: a place to “count” on

The word is out: The Counting Crows are coming to Pittsburgh.

And not just anywhere in… The word is out: The Counting Crows are coming to Pittsburgh.

And not just anywhere in Pittsburgh – they’re coming to Pitt, to play for the inaugural concert at the Petersen Events Center.

The Oct. 13 concert is a positive sign for students. Overall, it’s a gesture that, despite criticisms to the contrary, the University wants students to know that the Pete is for them.

Pitt is offering students a gift – the opportunity to purchase tickets before they are made available to the general public. With the password “GOPITT,” students can visit Ticketmaster’s Web site and buy tickets, starting today at noon. Students will have 29 hours to get their tickets online before they become available to everyone Friday at 5 p.m.

In addition to being available online, tickets can be bought at the Pete ticket office Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets will be $20 to $30, if purchased in advance.

According to Scott Michaels, the general manager of the Pete’s concert contractor, SMG, the University wanted to host a concert before basketball season started to demonstrate “the flexibility of the facility.” When the Pete was proposed and in the process of being constructed, some students were concerned that the athletics department would dominate the new facility. By making a concert a priority, the University is clearly sending a message that the Pete will provide services and recreation to all students through its versatility. The University also made sure that the concert featured a national act, ensuring the Pete’s inaugural concert would appeal to students.

While it’s true that anyone with the password will be able to purchase the presale tickets, it’s clear the University has pressed to put its students first. Since the password is being released only through University outlets, it’s unlikely that many people other than Pitt students will profit from the presale, considering that few faculty and staff members are likely to be interested in the concert.

According to Michaels, the University “pushed hard” to ensure that students got “preferential treatment.” But, he also made it clear that “it will probably not be the norm.”

The University is to be commended for going to bat for students. Certainly, tickets will sell easily and it was not necessary to presell tickets to students. Students must keep that in mind. It might encourage bands and their promoters to allow students early access to tickets if the early sales for this concert are good. It might even help bring bands to the Pete if sales make it clear that students will turn out for the show.

The Counting Crows concert is an exciting first for Pitt. Students should show their appreciation for the University administration by purchasing early access tickets.