Tickets for Youngstown State University's Goo Goo Dolls concert went on sale Friday, but many students were unaware of the scheduled show.

"That's my first hearing about it," senior English major Rachel Dicken said on Monday afternoon.

Melissa Bach, mental health counseling graduate student, said the same, adding that she is not a fan of the Goo Goo Dolls.

"I'm not planning on going," she said. "I didn't know they were still a band."

But for students that are attending, the concert will be something to look forward to this spring.

Patrick Shelton, information technology major, said he is a longtime fan of the Goo Goo Dolls.

"I'm planning on going if I have cash," he said.

Students attending the concert will not have to pay the regular $29.50 for tickets, though. YSU students can obtain specially priced discount tickets at $10 with a YSU ID.

Danielle Long, student programming intern, said although she cannot comment on the actual cost of the band, a budget is allocated for all concerts at YSU. The $10 that students pay is to ensure there are enough tickets for the student body.

"If we were to do it completely free, we wouldn't be able to offer as many," Long said. "We felt that discounted tickets would be better."

Penguin Productions will also offer opportunities for students to score free tickets with a variety of contests.

Fans of the band will have an opportunity to meet the Goo Goo Dolls by entering into the "Frequent Penguin Pre-Partier," "Gah-Gah for Goo Goo Dolls" or the "Goo Goo Dolls' Biggest Fan" contests.

Students that regularly attend Penguin Pre-Parties on campus will receive a punch card at each party. Those who have received four out of five punches can be entered into a drawing on March 24 to win two meet-and-greet passes.

Think of yourself as the Goo Goo Dolls' biggest fan? Meet-and-greet passes can also be acquired by proving this statement.

Students submitting a music video of themselves performing or lip-syncing a Goo Goo Dolls song have the opportunity to win.

Participants can submit their entries via YSU Penguin
Productions' Facebook page or by e-mailing
ysu.googoodollscontest@gmail.com.

The top five will be chosen by the Penguin Productions committee and showcased during the last Penguin Pre-Party on March 24 where attendees will vote on their favorite two. Entries must be submitted by March 4.

Students can also submit entries via Facebook or e-mail for the Biggest Fan Contest by Feb. 20. This entry must showcase why he or she is the biggest Goo Goo Dolls fan.

In addition to meet-and-greet passes, 15 "Slide the Line" passes will be distributed throughout the Jan. 20 through March 4 time frame. Concertgoers with a "Slide the Line" pass will be able to enter the arena through the VIP entrance 15 minutes before doors open to the public.

The concert will be held 7 p.m. April 12 at the Covelli Centre.

Joy Polkabla-Byers, assistant director of programs and special events, said the concert would be held at the Covelli Centre this year as opposed to on campus because of scheduling conflicts.
Polkabla-Byers said around 800 tickets were purchased for students so far, but more will be purchased if they sell out.
"It will depend on if students are interested, which we are hoping," she said. "I talked to a couple committee members that were at the Covelli Centre this morning and they said the hype, everyone seemed real excited, that they've already had students down there purchasing tickets, so that's a good sign."

Tickets can be purchased at the Covelli Centre's box office, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Two tickets per student ID can be purchased and a limited number are available.