DOWNEY – People who purchased tickets to the Downey-Warren football game two weeks ago but were not admitted to the game will not be getting their money back, Warren Athletic Director Steve Hill said before Warren’s first round CIF playoff game last Friday.

The Downey-Warren football game on Nov. 13, which saw entry gates close at 6:30 p.m., a half-hour before game time, had sold out. But people were not admitted to the game even after purchasing tickets at full price.

“I think that was the fastest Downey-Warren game to ever sell out,” Hill said, adding that tickets went on sale at Warren’s two ticket offices at 5 p.m.

According to Hill, signs were posted on the gates before the stadium’s entrance stating that purchased tickets were for immediate entry. It should have been assumed that if you did not enter the stadium immediately, it wasn’t guaranteed you would get in once the stadium reached capacity, Hill said.

Hill said that people who had purchased tickets earlier in the day were not entering the stadium right away and were instead off-campus, and by the time they came back the stadium had already filled to capacity.

Later that night, some customers who complained about the problem were issued refunds. Hill said people who did not obtain refunds that evening will not be able to receive one with their tickets at a later date.

Money collected at all Warren sporting events, including football games hosted at Justice Stadium, benefit the entire Warren athletic program.

Funds received from these events are used to pay tournament entry fees for other sports, including wrestling, golf, track and field, baseball, softball and others, and are also used to help purchase equipment.

**********

Published: November 27, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 32