When the story broke yesterday that Penn State was offering students one of three of high-value packages to downgrade their Michigan student tickets to upper end zone seats, there was a bit of initial confusion. Considering the game was recently announced as a sellout, how did Penn State have empty seats to spare in the upper end zone? How could Penn State afford to completely negate its profit on a $218 student ticket simply to displace a student into a different section?

The athletic department did not offer direct answers to these questions in an email exchange with Onward State last night. The skeptic in me speculates that Penn State used the Ticketmaster glitch to intentionally oversell student tickets for the entire season under the assurance that a natural percentage of students wouldn’t show up for every game, although I have no way of confirming that.

Despite the vagueness behind the circumstances, students should take advantage of these options. It’s almost too good to be true.

Let’s take a look again at the three packages being offered if students are willing to sit in the upper end zone instead of the student section:

• A guaranteed 50 percent off of student tickets next season or two free tickets to next year’s Homecoming game.
• A $200 donation to THON in your name or your org’s name.
• Pre-game on-field access to Penn State’s game against either Illinois, Purdue, or Nebraska later this season.

It’s hard to assign a dollar value to the pre-game field access, but the other two options offer incredible value. The first option offers a $194 value for underclassmen ($114 off student tickets next year + $80 for upper end zone ticket + $20 T-shirt + $10 LionCash – $30 student seat) and a $240 value for seniors ($160 for two Homecoming tickets next year + $80 for upper end zone ticket + $20 T-shirt + $10 LionCash – $30 student seat). The THON option offers an whopping $280 value ($200 donation + $80 upper end zone ticket + $20 T-shirt + $10 LionCash – $30 student seat).

It’s tough to beat those benefits, especially considering Penn State’s apt reputation for nickel-and-diming ticket holders. Anyone not going to the game should take the THON option and at least net $200 for the charity. Heck, get your whole committee to take the THON option and sit together in the upper deck. If enough people participate, it could even make up for an entire canning weekend — although keep in mind THON is capping the total credits to one org at $8,000.

Students can make the switch at the Bryce Jordan Center through Thursday or use the personalized link in the email sent yesterday afternoon (although some ticket holders have reported not receiving an email).

Don’t miss out on the game and an opportunity to save yourself some money or help out THON.