College National Individuals: Complimentary Tickets Offered to CSA Team Friends and Supporters by David Keating
March 2, 2016 -
Despite early concerns that all spectators would have to pay in order
to attend the College Squash Association (CSA) individuals championship
this weekend, college squash team supporters and family members and
friends of players who will compete in the event can attend the matches
for free. According to an email sent to coaches, “teams have
unlimited free tickets to distribute to their families and
supporters.” It appears then that CSA coaches have broad
discretion on providing complimentary tickets.
The CSA also
notes that “In addition, individuals connected with National Urban
Squash Education Association (NUSEA) programs — players, coaches,
families, and employees — will also have complimentary passes to the
event.”
Supporters of CSA teams and family members of
players on CSA teams should contact a team coach to obtain one or more
complimentary tickets.
Those not connected with a team, as one coach affiliated with the CSA noted, and “have the ability to pay” will pay.
According to
the CSA, “Matches will begin at 12 PM on Friday morning, and go until
3pm Sunday afternoon.” Women’s matches will not start before
12:45 PM Friday.
In a new twist for the event, The A
flights of the men’s (Pool Trophy) and women’s (Ramsay Cup) individual
championships will be 16-person draws. For both the men’s and
women’s individual championships, players seeded 17th – 80th will be
divided into four draws.” Each player will get at least two
matches.
Last year, the tournament was organized in a
32-player draw for the top division, and a 64-player draw for the
second division. Players who lost in the first round in each
division fell into a first-round consolation, while players who lost in
the second round moved to a second-round consolation draw.
Seeding for the event was published Wednesday on the CSA website.
According to the Chelsea Piers website,
on Saturday evening, “The 2016 CSA Individual Championships will
feature the inaugural Past Champions Gala, bringing back many greats of
the game to celebrate. Past Champions will attend the semi-final
matches on Saturday at 5:00pm, which will conclude with an on-court
ceremony and lead into the gala.” Tickets to the gala, which is
scheduled for 7 PM to 10 PM, are $250 each.
Ticket sales
revenues will help defray overall costs for the event. The CSA has
substantial costs for the event, such as temporary stands for
spectators, and the champion's reception, a one-time event for
2016. The CSA is not expecting to make a profit from ticket sales.
