Sept. 2, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana University Vice President and Director of Athletics Fred Glass announced on Tuesday that all members of the faculty and staff at Indiana University will receive free admission to all regular season IU Olympic sporting events. The effort is designed to further integrate the Department of Athletics and the university to reward faculty and staff for their support of Indiana athletics, and to encourage attendance at these events.
"This is an opportunity to give back to the faculty and staff who have shown our student-athletes so much support over the years," said Glass. "The faculty and staff are a part of the everyday lives of our student-athletes and this is the right thing to do."
Faculty and staff just need to present their Indiana University ID at the main gate or ticket office to receive free admission for them and a guest to IU Olympic sports. This offer is valid for all sports other than football and men's basketball.
Dr. Kurt Zorn, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education is excited about this new initiative. "One of Fred's main priorities when he arrived on campus last year was integrating the athletics department with the academic side of the university and this is a great step in that direction," Zorn said. "I also believe that it will give our faculty and staff a unique opportunity to see the commitment and dedication of our student-athletes."
Indiana has several Olympic sporting events taking place this weekend in Bloomington. Men's soccer battles No. 5 St. John's on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and No. 3 Wake Forest on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Volleyball plays four matches this weekend including a Friday night contest against Kentucky at 7:00 p.m. Women's soccer hosts No. 6 Florida on Friday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.
"I think it is a fantastic initiative," said Dr. Bruce Jaffee, professor of business economics and public policy and faculty representative on the Athletics Committee. "This is a true effort on the part of the athletics department to reach out the faculty and staff."