This may seem like they’re doing the noble thing, but really they’re just trying to cover their allotment for tickets. They have to sell 17,500 tickets, and their average home attendance is 15,670. Yes, of course it is still a nice gesture, but it’s not as though tickets for the Orange Bowl will cost that much. I’m sure they will be able to be bought on Stubhub for around $10.
CRAZY: Northern Illinois will have to buy more Orange Bowl tickets (17,500) than what they avg'd per game this season (15,670)
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 3, 2012
The real kicker here is having to pay for travel from Northern Illinois to Miami, and hotels in Miami are always expensive, regardless of why you’re there. This also isn’t a unique idea that Northern Illinois is throwing out there, they’ve given their students free tickets to their last four bowl games. At least they’re consistent and presumably treat their students well.
H/T: CBS Sports