The Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday is expected to have the largest crowd in its three-year history.

“We have approximately 50 seats remaining to sell. They are located on the field level between the goal lines and are some of the best seats in the stadium,” said Jeremiah Maher, Syracuse University associate athletic director.

SU will take on former Big East rival and current Big 12 team West Virginia in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium Saturday. This marks SU’s second appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl in the bowl’s three-year history. 

Though ticket sales are higher than they were when SU went to the Pinstripe Bowl in 2010, apparel sales are lower.

In terms of ticket sales, both SU and the New York Yankees organization are happy with the number of tickets sold, Maher said. This year, fans are anxious to watch SU play against a longtime rival.

“I think Syracuse fans are just as excited, if not more excited, than they were in 2010,” Maher said. “I know that getting the chance to play our old rival West Virginia for the 58th consecutive year has also been part of the interest.”

Because of the high number of ticket sales, Caz Limo, the limousine company that bused fans to and from the 2010 bowl, has increased the number of buses it is using this year, said Caz Limo employee Tamara Detore.

In 2010, she said, Caz Limo bused about 260 people, compared to 400 people this year. Bus tickets were $99 per person and have completely sold out, Detore said.

Though ticket sales and transportation demand are higher than in 2010, apparel sales are lower.

“This is a good time of year for shopping, the bigger the bowl game the bigger the sales,” said Mike Theiss, the general manager of Manny’s clothing store on Marshall Street. “The Pinstripe Bowl has an impact, but not as big as another bowl game.”

Manny’s is now selling two T-shirts in support of the game and will order “Pinstripe Bowl Champion” shirts if Syracuse wins the game.

Theiss said he believes sales are down this year because Syracuse already went to a bowl game.

“We were in a drought for bowl games in 2010,” Theiss said, “and this year, sales were strong, but not as strong as two years ago.”

Published on December 29, 2012 at 12:56 am

Contact Leslie: laking04@syr.edu