UAA revises Fan Flight Frenzy program for 2012 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout

Today the University of Alaska Anchorage announced revisions to the Fan Flight Frenzy pilot program for the 2012 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout. (See the earlier story about the program here.)

Beginning Tuesday, June 19, at 8 a.m. ADT, Alaskans wishing to travel from the rural hub cities of Barrow, Bethel, Cordova, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Homer, Juneau, Kenai, Ketchikan, King Salmon, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Nome, Petersburg, Sitka, Valdez, Wrangell and Yakutat can purchase a revised Fan Flight Frenzy package for $230, which includes airfare to and from Anchorage and a ticket to the 2012 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout.

"Our goal was to find a solution that addressed the concerns of the public while still honoring the intent of the appropriation," said Chancellor Tom Case. "Providing rural Alaskans a way to attend the Shootout in Anchorage at reduced rates was part of that intent, as well as stimulating the local economy and building greater national visibility for the tournament. This new program does just that."

During the FY11 legislative budget cycle, state legislators and the governor of Alaska appropriated $2M to support the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout, an Alaska athletic event now in its 35th year. Over the next three years, this money will be used to increase game guarantees to attract higher caliber teams to the tournament, to complete contract negotiations for national television coverage of the event, to enhance advertising and strengthen the relationship with Carrs/Safeway and to fund the Fan Flight Frenzy pilot program for the 2012 Shootout. This year, CBS Sports Network will be televising the Shootout nationally.

According to a study conducted by the Institute for Social and Economic Research, the estimated economic impact of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout was $3.6 million (1995 data). Adjusted for inflation, today's impact could be around $4.2 million. This $2 million appropriation in support of the Shootout will help to boost the tournament and preserve its success into the future.

New ticket Fan Flight Frenzy ticket packages can be purchased through GoSeawolves.com beginning Tuesday, June 19. Tickets that have already been purchased through the previously announced program will be honored.