Nov. 18, 2003

LUBBOCK, Texas - Got tickets?

Following an announcement this morning by representatives of United Supermarkets, Texas Tech Athletics and Select-a-Seat, purchasing tickets to Tech games, concerts, hockey games and Broadway shows is now as simple as buying bread, milk and eggs.

In an agreement with Select-a-Seat, Texas Tech Athletics will authorize off-campus outlets for single game ticket sales for the first time in its history. At the same time, United Supermarkets' 19 Lubbock and area stores will join the Select-a-Seat network.

During the morning press conference held at Market Street, fourth generation United Supermarkets owner Matt Bumstead made the first purchase on the new system - a ticket to tonight's Texas Tech v. Davidson basketball season opener. Bumstead graduated from Davidson, but was open about his support for the Red Raiders.

"We are delighted to partner with Texas Tech Athletics and Select-a-Seat to bring more ticket outlets to the university's fans throughout the South Plains," said Bumstead. In addition to nine Lubbock stores, United has added Select-a-Seat ticketing to stores in Brownfield, Lamesa, Levelland, Littlefield, Muleshoe, Plainview, Post, Slaton and Snyder. The rural stores are the first Select-a-Seat outlets located outside the city limits. Existing Select-a-Seat outlets, including Dollar Western Wear, Ralph's Records, Texas Tech Student Union Ticket Booth and the main box office at Memphis Place Mall will also add single game tickets to Texas Tech athletic events to their current ticket offerings for concerts, circuses, Cotton Kings hockey games, wrestling, Broadway musicals and many other events.

Texas Tech Director of Athletics Gerald Myers was enthusiastic at the morning press conference. "United Supermarkets has been a strong supporter of Texas Tech Athletics for a long time," he said. "We feel that the convenience of real-time, best seat available ticketing in the many communities United serves will increase attendance at our athletic events."

Under the new system, a fan purchasing a ticket at the United Supermarkets location in Lamesa, for example, will have the same seating options available to them as someone standing at the Select-a-Seat main box office at Memphis Place Mall, or at the Texas Tech Ticket Office at Jones SBC Stadium.

"It's all about convenience," said United Chief Operating Officer Bert Short. "Our stores are dotted all over the West Texas map and customers visit them several times each week. We are excited to be able to make this service available to our many customers and Red Raider fans."

Tickets will be sold through customer convenience centers at United Supermarkets, Market Street and United Supermercado locations. The stores will offer the most ticket sales hours available at any Select-a-Seat outlet, operating 7 days a week from store opening until 9 p.m. each night.

Applicable service fees will apply and may vary based on the event. Texas Tech tickets will carry a $3 per ticket service fee at all outlets.

Until today, Texas Tech athletic events were not available through any outlets other than the Texas Tech Athletic Ticket Office at the north end zone of Jones SBC Stadium. Season ticket sales and PSL purchases will continue to be handled by Texas Tech. Fans interested in season tickets or PSL purchases may call 1-888-GO-BIG-12 or (806) 742-TECH. Bowl games and basketball pre- and post-season tournament play availability on the system may vary, depending on the restrictions of event organizers. Texas Tech Athletic Marketing will use its resources to notify fans in the event game tickets will not be available at Select-a-Seat outlets.

Select-a-Seat is operated by Civic Lubbock, Inc. and has been serving the citizens of Lubbock since 1990. Civic Lubbock, Inc., is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to foster and promote cultural, educational and entertainment activities, with a recent focus on public art projects. Revenues from the ticketing operation are used to support Civic Lubbock's mission and have funded such projects as "Naiads" by Glenna Maxey Goodacre and the commissioning of the bronze sculpture, "Knight of the Llano Estacado" by Eddie Dixon. Both works are showcased in Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.

Murray Hensley, president of Civic Lubbock, Inc., said, "We are very excited about this project with United Supermarkets and Texas Tech Athletics. Two of our longtime goals have been to offer tickets to even more events through Select-a-Seat, as well as to increase our number of outlets to make real-time ticketing available throughout the South Plains. This partnership makes both goals possible."

Lubbock-based United Supermarkets operates 44 stores in 24 markets throughout West and North Central Texas. The 87-year old, family-owned company continues to operate on the principles established by founder H.D. Snell - quality products at competitive prices with an emphasis on superior customer service and community involvement. Historically, the company has returned more than ten percent of its profits to the communities it serves through generous support of schools, charities, youth activities and community events. In 2001, United Supermarkets was named the winner of the Better Business Bureau National Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, joining previous winners IBM, Sony Corporation and Dollar General Stores in being recognized for ethical treatment of customers, employees and communities. In October of this year, United was honored by Supermarket News as the inaugural recipient of that publication's annual Community Service Award.