Dec. 8, 2003

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Sales of tickets for the 2004 Toyota Gator Bowl from the allotment to the University of Maryland have been strong, athletics department officials announced Monday.

Orders for more than 11,000 tickets have already been processed by the Maryland Ticket Office to date, officials said. The university is obligated by contract to sell 12,750 tickets to the event. Sales have been so brisk that the university has requested 4,250 more, according to senior associate athletics director Larry Leckonby, who oversees the ticket operation.

"We're pleased that ticket sales have been so strong and that we'll have at least 17,000 Terp fans purchase tickets through our ticket office for the Toyota Gator Bowl," Leckonby said. "We're processing tickets as quickly as possible.

"Others will purchase tickets via other outlets, but we cannot track those numbers. We had between 23,000 and 24,000 Maryland fans at the Orange Bowl two years ago, and had approximately 16,000 tickets sold for last year's Peach Bowl.

Ticket orders are still being taken by the Maryland Ticket Office at 1-800-462-8377. Gator Bowl officials said in recent media reports they anticipate a sellout for the game, which pits the Terrapins against border-state rival West Virginia University.

Kickoff for the 2004 Toyota Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., on New Year's Day 2004 is at 12:30 p.m., and the game will be telecast on NBC.