Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, will be speaking in Madison's Orpheum Theater on State Street Oct. 15 as part of his Countdown to Change tour.

Ben LaBolt, spokesperson for Obama, said strong student support on the University of Wisconsin campus was a major factor in the senator's decision to speak in Madison.

"We are actively organizing campuses across the country, and Madison has one of our strongest Students for Barack Obama organizations," LaBolt said. "Students in particular agree that we need fundamental change in Washington, and that Barack Obama has the experience America needs to bring people together and deliver that change."

A Madison visit was first promised at the Students for Obama kickoff on Sept. 13 by chair Andrew Gordon, but an exact date was not announced at that meeting.

Gordon said students are an essential aspect of Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.

"The backbone of his campaign has been students, and there's a lot of student support for Obama on campus," Gordon said. "We’re excited to host him here on campus so close to UW."

Gordon said UW Students for Obama will be involved in the senator's visit, including distribution of tickets, recruiting volunteers, helping set up the event and taking a "pretty active role in making this event happen."

UW College Democrats chair Oliver Kiefer said his organization was "thrilled that Obama [is] going to be making a stop in Madison."

Tickets are available to students for $15 with a student identification card and $30 to the general public, and can be purchased at barackobama.com.

"Any time a high-profile candidate comes to Madison or campus, it raises interest and awareness among students," Kiefer said.

Doors for the event will open at 10:30 a.m. and Obama is scheduled to speak at 11 a.m.