West Virginia University students can begin picking up their reserved game tickets to the Sept. 8 home opener against Ohio Tuesday (Sept. 4), according to University officials.

Tickets will be distributed starting at 9 a.m. Sept. 4, following the Labor Day holiday, at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices. Regular box office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (except on official University holidays, when the box offices are closed).

Tickets will also be available on game-day Saturdays at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices three hours before kickoff. However, no student tickets will be available on game day at the stadium.

Tickets are issued at no charge on a game-by-game and week-by-week basis to WVU students with valid ID cards, said Vice President for Student Affairs Ken Gray. So, for the Sept. 22 WVU -Kent State game, for instance, tickets will be available beginning Sept. 17.

Heres the ticketing procedure and gate information:

• Tickets will be issued at no charge on a game-by-game basis to WVU students with valid Mountaineer (ID) Card on a first-come basis (on the days and times outlined above).

• Mountaineer Cards will be swiped on a card reader and a reserved seat ticket issued; lost or destroyed tickets will not be replaced. Students must be registered and must have paid the athletic fee for the card to be valid for athletic events.

• A WVU student may bring a maximum of 10 valid Mountaineer Cards, including his/her own.

• A limited number of guest tickets will be available for $27 each. Limit two per valid ID; maximum of four per transaction.

• Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff.

• Both reserved tickets and valid Mountaineer Cards are required for admittance.

• Students should enter the specified student gate(s) on the east side of Mountaineer Field.

“With both the Mountainlair and CAC box offices open all week and the morning before games, picking up student tickets has become more convenient,”Gray added.”And those students who are members of the Mountaineer Maniacs can pick up all their tickets for the entire football season at one timeanother great reason to join the student booster organization.”

Members of the Mountaineer Maniacs are eligible to obtain season tickets in a designated area of Section 206 (expandable to Sections 205 and 207). More than 200 freshmen signed up for the club during summer orientation sessions. The clubs goal is to add 500-600 upperclassmen in the coming weeks. Registration forms are available in the Student Organization Office in the Mountainlair.

Besides season tickets, other perks for Mountaineer Maniacs include a club t-shirt, reserved seating for home games and a bus trip to the football game at Maryland.

Officials also want to remind students that tailgating at the New Pit, near the Ronald McDonald House, begins three hours before game time and ends at kickoff. For the 1 p.m. Sept. 8 home opener, the area open at 10 a.m.

The Pit is for students with valid Mountaineer ID cards and one guest per student. Security will be provided at all times. Students should know the following information about the tailgating area:

• Free hotdogs and soft drinks are available until kickoff.

• Only charcoal grills are permitted; no other types of fires allowed.

• Parking permits (limit 50) are available to students with valid Mountaineer ID card on a first-come basis at the Mountainlair box office beginning at 9 a.m. the Monday before each home game. No parking permits will be sold after 6 p.m. Friday.

• Vehicles should enter the lot before kickoff; vehicles that leave may not re-enter.

• Permit holders of legal age, with valid drivers license and valid ID card, may bring one keg of beer (or 6 cases) into the lot per vehicle; cans of beer (no bottles) are permitted; 1 six-pack of beer per person of legal age (walk-ins) is allowed; plastic cups and recycling bins will be provided; other alcoholic beverages and wines are not permitted.

• Beer sales from kegs, etc. are prohibited; distribution of beer in plastic cups to underage students is not permitted; those in violation will have New Pit and game privileges revoked and be subject to disciplinary action.

• Instruments (beer bongs, keg stands) that encourage excessive consumption of beer are not permitted.

• Throwing of frisbees, footballs, etc. is not permitted for safety reasons.

• No pets permitted.

• Limited accessible parking available.

• Walk-ins welcome with valid Mountaineer ID card.

Student Affairs officials say the New Pit rules will be clearly posted and enforced for the safety of all students.

University officials also announced that 500 seats have been reserved for WVU students for the Oct. 13 WVU -Notre Dame football game. Details on tickets sales will be forthcoming from the WVU athletic department.