As part of the inaugural season on college football's most unique playing surface, the UCA Athletics Department has issued a commemorative season ticket set for Purple Circle reserved seating, incorporating a design reflective of the purple and gray striped field that can serve as a collectible item and memento of the 2011 season for donors.

"The newly designed tickets gives our donors another benefit for being a member of the Purple Circle Foundation," said Matt Jordan, Director of Athletic Marketing. "Their tickets are a unique, collectible item that distinguishes them from the general public and other season ticket holders. We are constantly looking for new ideas to give our financial supporters more ways to feel appreciated. We believe the new ticket design provides a feeling of exclusiveness for our donors. Based on the initial feedback, they all agree the 2011 season tickets are the best we've ever designed."

Once the idea to upgrade the design was cemented, the athletic department sought a creative design from UCA alumnus Bradley Widding, who has assisted with numerous graphic design projects for the department.

Widding, who has an art and graphic design background, jumped at the opportunity to design something new and different for Bear fans.

"I wanted our fans to have something to take pride in and have something that is just as good as or better than any other Division I athletics program in the country," he said.

"Fear the Stripes"-themed posters with the 2011 schedule are also available and can be found at sponsor locations Crain Automotive and Beef O'Brady's. Posters will also be given out at Thursday night's home opener against Henderson State to the first 2000 fans.