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Wingard has introduced multiple programs at YSU
By Greg Gulas
BEAVER TOWNSHIP
As Youngstown State’s assistant athletic director for sales and development, Andrew Wingard has spent his first year cultivating relationships and meeting non-stop with business owners, community members and donors.
He begins his second year at the helm April 17 and is now ready to implement some aggressive new ideas and approaches as he looks to increase ticket sales for its revenue producing teams.
Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly meeting at Avion Banquet Center, Wingard says things are going well and with basketball season recently concluded, the focus moving forward is now on the upcoming football season.
“The feedback has been awesome,” said Wingard, a Saginaw, Mich., native and graduate of Saginaw Valley State University. “It’s been fun meeting with everyone and gathering new ideas for the many programs we have initiated during football and basketball season.”
One program garnering plenty of attention is his Young Alumni Program.
“Any YSU alumni that has graduated within the past four years is eligible,” Wingard said. “They have access to buying game tickets at a 50-percent discount.”
Another program that he has introduced is the Family Plan.
“This plan affords anyone the opportunity to purchase two adult and two youth tickets for the season,” he added. “Instead of paying full price, the discount would save them approximately $200.”
Groups continue to express interest in the Penguins’ football and basketball teams, which has led to Wingard to introduce the Group Experience Package.
“This package creates an enhanced experience at our football and basketball games,” he stated. “It’s not just about going to the game, it’s about experiencing other things that are going on at the game as well.”
At halftime of basketball games, he’s gotten youth teams to play one another while the youths attending football and basketball games have formed ‘High-Five’ tunnels, which Penguins’ teams run through when introduced.
Wingard’s hope is for area businesses use YSU athletics as they entertain their clients or say thank you to their staff members.
“We urge area business to use us when they are entertaining clients or when they want to say thank you to their staff for a job well done,” he noted. “We’ll help and assist any way possible.”
With basketball season a fading memory, Wingard is wrapping up that part of his job and is now in sales mode for football, which entails sending out ticket renewal notices and promoting new season and individual sales packages.
“We are trying to remain creative with our packages,” he said.
Working with the Penguin Club is also a big part of his focus.
“There’s never an off-season as the Penguin Club does a lot of fundraising events,” Wingard said. “Our next big event is the Ned Mervos Football Alumni Golf Outing and Reunion, which is scheduled for May 10 at the Youngstown Country Club. We expect a great turnout with alums and community members getting together to reminisce about the past, and to talk about the current team and upcoming season.
“The event raises money for the alumni football scholarship and everyone has a great time.”
Next week, YSU assistant football coach-offensive coordinator Brian Crist will serve as guest speaker.