Florida State currently is ranked second in the BCS standings after getting off to a 6-0 start, and the school has seen a 69% "increase in the average ticket prices" from the preseason to this week, according to TiqIQ data cited by Matt Murschel of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. The average cost of an FSU ticket before the start of the season "was $81.15 and currently the average cost of a ticket is $140.21." That ranks FSU "13th in the country." Meanwhile, Florida’s "recent struggles on the gridiron have started to show" as UF has seen a 12% "decrease in the average cost of a ticket." The average cost of a ticket to a UF game before the season "was $159.39," but this week, that same ticket "is going for $140.21." Meanwhile, Miami’s undefeated start has "had a minimum impact on the average ticket cost." Average cost before the season was $96.65 and now that same ticket "is going for $101.38," which is "good for 32nd in the country" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 10/23). Tickets to the Nov. 2 UM-FSU game "are officially sold out" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 10/23).
A SIGN OF HERITAGE: In N.Y., Mike Tierney reports while several Native American tribes have "pressed institutions to amend certain traditions or abandon nicknames and logos," FSU "enjoys the imprimatur of its sports teams’ namesake." Seminole Tribe of Florida Chair Chief James Billie said, "We Seminoles embrace that mascot. They honor us." Tierney notes FSU's pregame ritual "featuring the characters Renegade (horse) and Osceola (human) was introduced in 1978, recalling a phase of history both meaningful and painful to Indians." Evidence of the tribe’s support "extends to the splashes of garnet and gold, Florida State’s colors, on the tribe’s gymnasium and elsewhere at its reservation in South Florida." Osceola’s "garb and makeup were altered with the tribe’s input." Although FSU's pregame custom has "met with criticism that it can conjure a stereotype of Indians in battle, the Seminole hierarchy approves of it." The "few universities offering football that have maintained tribal likenesses have generally received the tribes’ authorization." However, unlike FSU, the Utah Utes and Central Michigan Chippewas "no longer roll out a mascot evocative of Indians" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/24).
