By Lee Cottle

Distribution for UK Football tickets will be taking a different approach, yet any student who has attended a men’s basketball lottery will find it familiar.

Tickets for the 2009-10 UK football games versus Louisville, Florida and Alabama will be sold at a lottery at Memorial Coliseum at 9 p.m Wednesday.  The lottery is for students who have not already purchased a season ticket package,

The decision for a ticket lottery was a collaborative effort between the Athletic Department and the Dean of Students Office. Assistant Athletic Director Joe Sharpe said after winning three straight bowl games, student ticket sales are going into uncharted territory.

“This is a great problem to have and we look forward to future challenges to meet the demands of our student fan base,” Sharpe said.

Instead of a first come, first served basis, Sharpe said the lottery was implemented to allow as many students as possible the opportunity to purchase the tickets to the first three home games.

“Not all students can make all seven home games and we wanted to give those students the best chance to obtain tickets,” Sharpe said.

The reaction of students seemed to be mixed. Several are already in possession of season tickets and not concerned with the lottery system. A few were not interested at all.

At the lottery, groups of 50 will be called at a time. If selected, students with their student ID will be allowed to purchase one $5 ticket per game. Bringing additional student IDs will not permit the purchase of additional tickets. Guest tickets are not expected to be available for these three games.

Any remaining tickets not claimed at the lottery will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. These remaining tickets may be purchased at the Joe Craft Center ticket office beginning Thursday morning.

The remaining UK home games will be distributed through two other lotteries set through the year.