Indiana's cold weather has given some students access to the hottest tickets in Bloomington.
On Wednesday, students who had been camped out in front of Assembly Hall since Tuesday afternoon were given vouchers for entry to Saturday's game against No. 1 Kentucky. School officials said they made the decision to keep people out of the cold and possibly inclement weather during a ''dead'' school week when students are supposed to be preparing for next week's final exams.
No more vouchers will be handed out, school officials said in a statement.
''I believe we have all worked together to create a win-win situation for everyone,'' Indiana student body president Justin Kingsolver said in a statement. ''With this demonstrated passion, I know Saturday's game will have the most enthusiastic student section we've seen this year.''
Hopes are high as Indiana is off to its first 8-0 start since 2002-03.
While the annual battle is normally one of the season's feature attractions, fans are more eager than ever to see a matchup the top-ranked Wildcats (8-0) and the Hoosiers.
Indiana claims the nation's largest student section, but some students with season tickets have to sit in the general admission area. Seats are usually awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
But those with vouchers will now be permitted to enter first. Other students with season tickets can begin lining up outside Assembly Hall on Saturday at 7 a.m.
School officials also have decided to allow students to begin lining up at 7 a.m. the day of each game for the rest of this season.
''This was an overwhelming show of support by these students whose passion and excitement for the Hoosiers is shared by many,'' said Scott Dolson, Indiana's deputy athletic director. ''We can't wait for Saturday, but in the meantime, we want their focus to be on their academics and we want their safety and well-being to be at the forefront.''
