New Mexico State football home opener close to a sellout

Time is running out to buy your tickets for the New Mexico State University home opener. The Aggies host Georgia State at Aggie Memorial Stadium this Saturday. NMSU’s athletic director wants to stuff the stadium so the Aggies can start this football season in front of a sellout crowd.

“We’re a couple thousand shy of a packed stadium which isunbelievable for a first game of a year,” Lou Sisbarro, owner of Sisbarro Buick, said.

Business owners across Las Cruces have a drive to see some Aggie spirit. They say that’s what prompted them to buy a lot of tickets for Saturday’s game and give them away.

“One thing about this town and the business community is wecertainly, we’re very collaborative but we’re alsovery competitive,” Marcy Dickerson, a restaurant owner, said.

Dickerson says there was a competitionbetween business owners around the community to see who could fill up the most seats.

“I think we’re going to have a huge showing of not only fans,but people who couldn’t normally participate,” Dickerson said.

For only $5 you can have a seat at Aggie Memorial Stadiumto watch a Division I football game. Butyou better hurry, because tickets are going fast.

“By selling every ticket in the house you should be guaranteed a pretty darn good crowd,” Athletic Director Mario Moccia said.

Moccia says its vital to get people excited about NMSU football.

“We want them to say when they’re here, wow this is big time,” Moccia said.

Tickets are currently going for $5, $10 and $15. Business owners, along with Moccia, are optimistic.

“I think it’s going to be a really fun experience for people. You know we certainly support Mario and his leadership teamand just getting people back out there,” Dickerson said.

The last time NMSU had a sellout home opener was in 2005 again the University of Texas at El Paso. Kickoff for Saturday’s game is at 6 p.m.