Harford County Public Schools has raised the price of admission to high school athletic games, beginning with this school year. A recent announcement on the school system’s Web site noted only that prices had “changed”, but in response to questions by The Dagger, Teri Kranefeld, manager of communications for HCPS, explained that ticket prices were raised for both adults and children.
The higher prices apply only to high school athletics and are the first increases in over ten years, Kranefeld said. Tickets are now $5 for adults and for children aged seven and older. The new rates represent an increase of $1 for adults and an increase of $2 for children. The exception is JV Football, which costs $3 for everyone. Admission to all events remains free for children under the age of seven.
Adults will also pay higher prices for a 10-game pass, but with the same half-price discount off of regular ticket prices as in the past. A 10-game pass for adults that used to cost $20 will now cost $25, an increase of $5. The price of a 10-game pass for students is unchanged at $20.
Gate receipts from athletic games are collected by the schools, submitted to HCPS central office and subsequently reallocated back to the schools through the budget process, Kranefeld said. The revenue is earmarked for athletics and used by each school to buy equipment, uniforms and to fund other program needs.
Below is the announcement from HCPS Web site:
HCPS athletic ticket prices have changed
_____________________________________Ticket prices for high school athletic games:
• Adults: $5
• Students and children 7 years and older: $5
• Children under 7: FREEJV Football Games:
• Everyone: $3Doubleheader Games:
• Everyone: $5Tournaments/UCBAC Championships/State Playoff Games:
• Everyone: $5**Passes now available!**
Students may buy a pass for $20 that is valid for all games at their school only for the entire school year. Adults may also buy a pass, valid for any 10 games at their child’s school during the school year, for $25.
Given the fact that the cost of grounds maintenance has more than doubled in the last decade, this is clearly a no-brainer.
It is incorrigible and disgraceful that these increases had not been considered much earlier.
“incorrigible”? Are you still our intellectual savior?