Winston Salem, N.C. – Utah State University Athletics has partnered with IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions to increase attendance and revenues generated from athletic events as well as to enhance customer service and fan interaction.
The outsourced ticketing operation will be managed onsite by General Manager Bryan Mathis, who will focus on selling tickets for football, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, and gymnastics, beginning in late March. Most recently, Mathis had been working at IMG Learfield’s South Florida property.
“Partnering with IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions will give Utah State Athletics a unique opportunity to increase ticket sales for football and basketball, among other sports,” said USU Vice President and Athletics Director Scott Barnes. “The day-to-day ticket sales IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions will provide is an important piece in our continued efforts to expand the Aggie footprint, while at the same time providing our ticketholders and fans with unmatched customer service.”
“Utah State University has a strong athletics program with terrific leadership growing its brand and fan base as the school moves into the Mountain West Conference,” said Matt DiFebo, VP and Managing Director of IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions. “There’s significant excitement and momentum as the Aggies move into the MWC next season and benefit from a new state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center opening this spring. We’ll look to capitalize on the Aggies strong recent success in both football, coming off a No. 16 final ranking last season, as well as men’s basketball.”
Utah State football ended 2012 with its first 10-win season, first WAC Championship and a nationwide Top 25 ranking in all three major polls. Matt Wells, a former Utah State quarterback will take over this season as the head coach.
The school’s men’s basketball program plays in Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, which has been called one of the nation’s loudest and most difficult places for opposing teams to visit. USU basketball is 222-22 (.910) at home during the Stew Morrill era, has received eight NCAA tournament berths in the last 13 years, and has amassed more wins than any team in the nation except Duke, Kansas, Gonzaga, Memphis and Florida during that time.
“This town bleeds Aggie Blue and White, and we are very excited to share in Cache Valley’s passion for this university and its athletic programs,” said Matthew Smith, Regional Manager/West for IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions. “Utah State Athletics is investing in their facilities and future, and IMG Learfield is thrilled to be part of the school’s continued efforts to enhance customer service in ticketing while growing its fan base.”
Utah State is a multi-media rights partner of Learfield and is also represented by The Collegiate Licensing Company, an affiliate of IMG College. With more than 16,000 students living on or near campus in Cache Valley, Utah State is the largest public residential campus in Utah.
Now with 24 partners, IMG Learfield Ticketing Solutions sells more tickets to university athletic events than any other outbound ticket sales company. In 2012, the ticketing business generated $53.7 million in ticket revenues to schools; $15 million of this comprised new ticket sales.
About IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions
Initially launched in January of 2011 as IMG College Ticket Solutions, and strengthened by a merger in March 2012, IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions provides colleges a professional sales force to maximize ticket sales. Either working from within the athletic department or from the national sales center in Winston-Salem, N.C., this privatized ticket solution increases attendance and revenues generated from athletic events as well as choice and convenience when fans purchase tickets. Led by VP and Managing Director Matt DiFebo, IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions offers colleges a ticket sales and customized revenue solution ranging from consulting to comprehensive outsourcing. Current partners include: University of Akron, Appalachian State University, University of Arkansas, Auburn University, University of California, Davis, University of Colorado, Duke University, Georgia State University, UNC Greensboro, University of Nevada Las Vegas, North Carolina State, University of Oklahoma, Penn State University, University of Richmond, San Jose State University, University of Texas at San Antonio, University of South Florida, Syracuse University, University of Tennessee, Temple University, Troy University, and University of Texas El Paso. For more information, please visit www.imglearfieldticketsolutions.com or contact Russ Dean at russ.dean@imglearfield.com.