On Sunday, there was no contest: It was those that would get you a seat at the Griz-Cat football game on Saturday at the University of Montana.
Hundreds of die-hard student football fans descended upon the University Center where tickets for the UM-Montana State University’s 108th “Brawl of the Wild” were being sold at The Source.
The first person in line was Cody Putzier, a sophomore, who found his spot just before midnight on Saturday. At 4 a.m., he was joined by Alex Wigger and Kelcie Wampler.
“The tickets n and the story about waiting for them n it’s worth the wait,” said Wigger.
By mid-afternoon, the building was filled with a mass of students who sprawled out across the first and second floors of the three-story building.
Navigating the sea of bodies was a fire marshal’s nightmare, but the students didn’t mind the peaceful chaos.
They came prepared.
Televisions, laptop computers, inflatable mattresses, folding chairs, pillows, blankets, sleeping bags and junk food were just some of the comforts of home they brought along.
Toward the front of the line, Kris Guyman had his television and DVD player hooked up to watch the movie “Semi-Pro,” starring Will Ferrell, and had the movie “National Treasure” as a backup.
The UM senior said he didn’t mind the wait at all: “It’s the best game all year.”
Gene Grant was comfortable in his massive folding chair n and the envy of his neighbors. Grant’s wife, Zana, would show up periodically with food to make the wait more enjoyable.
“She’s taking good care of me,” Grant said.
Like many of the students, Grant endured the ticket scramble because not only is the Griz-Cat an exciting game, it’s an annual event that brings families together from across the state and the region.
“My brother is from Bobcat country, and he’ll be up for the game,” Grant said. “Other family members will be there, too, so it’s like a family reunion.”
One group of students brought Monopoly to while away the hours. Others brought their guitars.
The most serious of the bunch brought their homework.
Cozy under a pile of blankets and with her friends nearby, Krystle Snyder hunkered down with her textbook, “Principles of Economics.”
“It’s going to be a good game, so it’s worth the wait,” Snyder explained of her unusual study situation. “And I’m getting more homework done I thought I would n so it’s definitely worth it.”
Any tickets that didn’t sell by midnight Sunday will be sold to students beginning at 7:45 a.m. Monday, said Peter Knox, student supervisor at The Source.
All student tickets are free, and students have the option to purchase one of 400 guest passes for $10.
“The guest passes we expect will go quickly,” Knox said. “And we expect all the student tickets will go quickly.
“We are expecting a big crowd.”
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