This is the letter I wish UNO had sent...

There's been a lot of controversy the last 72 hours about the date chosen for the upcoming season's season ticket pickup party. (It's the same night as the team is playing its first game of the 2015-16 season, on the road in Mankato.)

UNO sent out this letter (which most STH received yesterday):

After talking with Brian yesterday (in person; I was on campus anyway), I drafted the letter that I wish UNO had sent out instead. And I wish they had emailed it and posted it on social media in addition to sending it -- that way, they could have gotten some of the same feedback that I've been hearing from fans and you wouldn't have had a 4-day span between when some fans got the letter and when the rest of us -- including me -- got ours. (Feel free to post your comments below!)

Here's the letter I wish UNO had sent:

Dear (Your Name),

Can you believe it? The new hockey season is right around the corner!

One of our favorite preseason traditions is our annual season ticket pickup party.

This year, we're excited to hold the event in "Our House" -- Baxter Arena. Crews are putting the finishing touches on everything, and we can't wait for you to check out your new seats.

However, we do have some bad news. Unfortunately, due to some other events that are already scheduled at the arena, we must hold this year's party on Friday, Oct. 9. Wait, you're thinking -- isn't the team playing in Mankato on the 9th? Yes, and Taylor Swift is in concert at our "old digs," and the Lancers are in town ... It's less than ideal, but we spent many hours (days!) trying to figure out a different time, and we just couldn't find a date that worked for the team AND with the arena's availability. We could have had it at another location, but we felt it was more important to do the event at the arena. We know you're disappointed, and we hope you understand.

However, it's still going to be a PARTY! Starting at 5 p.m. on Oct. 9, you are invited to come sit in your seats, enjoy complimentary food and drinks, and watch the Mavs vs. Mavs game on the big screen with your fellow fans! (Park in the west parking lots and enter through the main entrance, which is on the south side of the building.)

We've also got a special gift for you too, in recognition of your season ticket holder status. For the past 8 months, the godfather of UNO hockey, Don Leahy, and sportswriter John Fey have been collaborating on a book about UNO hockey history. The new book isn't even available for sale yet, but you're going to get your own copy of "A Date With Destiny" (one per STH account), and you can even get it autographed by the authors on Oct. 9. Additional books can be purchased at the event for $10 each (while supplies last).

(Note: Because we're including the book as a gift, we're unable to mail out your season tickets as we have in years past, so call us at 402-554-2001 or email unotickets@unomaha.edu and we'll arrange a time for you to pick up your tickets if you can't make the party on Oct. 9.)

We know the kids look forward to meeting the players and getting autographs, and we promise we'll make that up to you with an autograph event at the arena at a later date.

Get ready to ‪#‎WearBlackGetLoud‬ because it will be "Hockey Time in Omaha" before you know it. I hope to see you at Baxter Arena on Oct. 9 -- and when we raise the banner and drop the puck at "Our House" on Oct. 23! Go Mavs!

Sincerely,

Brian Logan
Director of Ticket Operations
UNO Athletic Department