SALT LAKE CITY—In another first for the best-attended college women's athletic program in the nation, the Utah gymnastics team has set a new benchmark by reaching 9,000 season tickets. Utah's season ticket sales are currently at 9,019, breaking the previous record of 8,763 set last year when the Utes averaged an NCAA gymnastics record 15,224 fans to their home meets.
Even with the record-setting sales, season
tickets are still available in the upper bowl of the Huntsman Center for as little as $30. Single-meet tickets for the general public will go on sale Dec. 27 following the Crimson Club pre-sale, which starts Dec. 18.
"Our huge fan following defines our program as much as our national championship and Pac-12 championship banners," said Utah co-head coach
Megan Marsden. "The electric atmosphere in the Huntsman Center for our home meets is unique to college gymnastics and I believe is on par with the best atmosphere of any sporting event in the country."
The Utes have won 33 of 36 NCAA women's gymnastics attendance titles and own seven all-women's sports attendance titles. They have performed before crowds of 14,000 or more 43 times—21 of those which drew upwards of 15,000, including an NCAA-record 16,019 against Michigan in 2015.
Utah, which finished fifth at the 2017 NCAA Championships and won its third Pac-12 championship in the last four years, returns 10 letterwinners and five All-Americans, including NCAA floor exercise champion and all-around runner-up MyKayla Skinner. Two freshmen will get their first taste of competing before the Huntsman Center crowd on Friday, Dec. 15 at the annual Red Rocks Preview. The intra-squad meet will start at 7 p.m. and admission and parking are free.
Utah kicks off its regular season on Friday, Jan. 5 at home against BYU—the first of four home dual meets, highlighted by 2017 NCAA Championship qualifiers Oregon State (Jan. 19), Washington (Feb. 3) and Georgia (Mar. 16). Utah will also host an NCAA Regional on Saturday, Apr. 7.
Every home meet will be televised, including an ESPNU appearance against Georgia. For the first time, all Ute home meets will be broadcast live on Utah's flagship radio station, ESPN700.