Buses available for MAC title game

Central Michigan University is offering buses for students looking to attend the MAC Championship football game.

The football team clinched its third MAC West title in four years after Northern Illinois lost 38-31 to Ohio to drop to 5-2 in the MAC. CMU is 7-0 with one week remaining in the regular season.

CMU will play against Ohio or Temple at 8 p.m. Dec. 4 at Ford Field in Detroit. Ohio and Temple play each other in Athens, Ohio, in what will decide the MAC East championship.

Students also are offered pregame tailgate and lodging options.

The bus provides students and alumni an opportunity to support CMU, said Derek van der Merwe, senior associate athletics director.

“We continue to be a university that is a point of pride for the entire state,” van der Merwe said.

Tickets went on sale Sunday and will continue up until the game. Student tickets cost $10, and the general price is $20. Each student is limited to two tickets.

Transportation

Mount Pleasant travel agency Maryanke Tour and Travel, Inc. is offering a bus that will depart at 3:15 p.m. Dec. 4 from lot 62W. The bus is scheduled to arrive at 5:30 p.m. at Ford Field.

The bus will cost $62 per seat, and will depart from Ford Field a half hour after the game finishes.

The amount of buses and available seating depends on how many students, alumni and others register, van der Merwe said.

“The busing is based upon demand,” he said.

According to the CMU Athletics Web site, a discounted room rate of $99 is available to all CMU fans and alumni at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center Hotel. Rooms may be reserved by calling the Marriott at 1-800-352-0831 and referencing the code “MAC.”

Tailgate

A pregame tailgate will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Ford Field in the North Club Lounge. The cost will be $15 for adults and $12 for students.

The tailgate is a great way to connect with other students, alumni and fans, van der Merwe said.

“It’s been a great rallying point before the game,” he said.

Tickets for the pregame tailgate can be purchased through the CMU Alumni Association or the CMU Athletics Ticket Office.

The tailgate price is included for anyone who purchases a bus ticket.

More information about tickets, transportation and the MAC Championship game can be found at cmuchippewas.com.