Calls for Tickets Are Immediate

Wondering if the University of Arkansas’ hiring of Mike Anderson as its new men’s basketball coach has affected ticket sales for next season?

We were, too, so we asked.

UA ticket manager Mark Scobey said about 250 people had been added to his department’s mailing list in the four or five days immediately after Anderson’s hiring was announced. That’s 50 or so a day, which Scobey characterized as “nice and steady.”

Those who have been added will get a chance to buy seats once last season’s ticketholders are contacted and given a chance to keep their current seats or upgrade. That process will begin later in the year.

 We also asked Scobey if it’s been common following recent seasons to add people to the basketball mailing list. He gave the simplest of answers — No.

 Follow Shot

A reported crowd of about 5,000 welcomed Anderson at his introductory press conference, held at Walton Arena.

Interestingly, more media members showed up for those festivities than for most games last season.

Counting reporters, TV camera operators, live truck operators, etc., associate athletic director Kevin Trainor estimated between 75 and 80 working media were on hand. That’s about twice as many as attended a typical game.