BULLDOG FOUNDATION PRIORITY SEATING AND PARKING PROGRAM

Transcription

1 BULLDOG FOUNDATION PRIORITY SEATING AND PARKING PROGRAM

2 DEAR BULLDOG BENEFACTOR: As 2011 marks our final full year in the Western Athletic Conference, we stand with a new horizon in sight. Along with our colleagues and competitors at Boise State, Hawaii, and Nevada, we will soon shift our focus to the challenge of competing within the Mountain West Conference. Although we will rekindle some old rivalries within the Mountain West, the extraordinary success of the league over the past decade represents a very real challenge to our athletics program and will require our teams to consistently compete at the highest level. As we rise to meet this challenge, our primary mission will continue to provide Fresno State Student-Athletes with the very best possible support and daily experience. We will also continue to deeply value, recognize, and provide the best possible customer service to the thousands of Fresno State fans and benefactors that remain at the heart of the Red Wave. A major step towards the achievement of these two missions is the renovation of the priority seating and parking program. To that end, in November of 2010, the Bulldog Foundation Board of Directors endorsed a new priority seating and parking program for Fresno State football and men s basketball season tickets, the details of which are outlined within this brochure. This plan was heavily researched, laboriously constructed, and ultimately designed to benefit both Bulldog Student-Athletes and the most loyal and supportive Bulldog fans like you! This new priority seating and parking program places emphasis on greater simplicity, broad-based access, and quantifiable equity among all those groups, businesses, and individuals that annually support Fresno State Student-Athletes. Further, please be assured that all donors who currently enjoy season tickets in priority seating areas will have the first right of refusal for all seats in their current account. Upon review you will find that this plan compares very favorably to intercollegiate athletics best practices. In fact, you ll find similar programs utilized at the most prolific annual funds within the Mountain West Conference and nearly all of the NCAA Division I FBS Universities. We hope that you come to embrace and take full advantage of the benefits offered by this new priority seating and parking program. At its core it is intended to recognize and enhance the best of the Fresno State Athletics traditions while creating a structure that will allow our teams to enjoy continued success in a rapidly changing and highly competitive environment. As always, Fresno State Student-Athletes will rely on your loyalty, encouragement, and support to allow them to strive for the highest of their academic and athletic goals, making them the pride of our university, community, and San Joaquin Valley. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and passion for Fresno State Athletics and Bulldog Student-Athletes! Respectfully, Thomas C. Boeh Director of Athletics

3 PRIORITY SEATING AND PARKING PROGRAM OVERVIEW Beginning with the academic year, Fresno State Athletics and The Bulldog Foundation (BDF) will implement a new priority seating and parking program for football and men s basketball. The new program will require an annual per seat donation in order to purchase season tickets in the best seating locations in Bulldog Stadium and the Save Mart Center. The new priority seating program allows all season ticket holders in priority areas the first right of refusal for their season tickets and parking. WHY IS THE PRIORITY SEATING AND PARKING PROGRAM CHANGING? PSL s The most recent 10-year personal seat licenses (PSL s) expired at the end of the 2010 Football season. Though for several years the BDF has desired to implement a more equitable seating program for football and men s basketball, we had to wait until the PSL s expired. ECONOMY All donations required for purchasing priority season tickets will now be handled on an annual basis and PSL s for football are being eliminated. We do not want to take the direction of asking our supporters to make another multi-year financial commitment (after three 10-year periods) to secure their football season tickets because of the economy and current marketplace. This is the same direction we took with baseball and softball PSL s when they expired. SCHOLARSHIPS Historically, the funds for all PSL campaigns (football, men s basketball, baseball, and softball) have been designated for facility construction and capital projects. Since 2005, all new red seats purchased in Bulldog Stadium have been sold on an annual basis through the BDF Scholarship Fund. As we transition to the 2011 football season, all donations required for season tickets and/or parking will be processed annually through the BDF and will provide scholarships for Fresno State Student-Athletes. This change will help Fresno State Athletics strengthen its financial position as we transition to the Mountain West Conference. EQUITABLE The new priority seating program creates a more equitable system where all donors receive priority based on the same annual donation criteria. The 2010 priority seating areas in Bulldog Stadium (sections 7-15 and 28-34) consisted of customers in the following categories: 10-year PSL holders who were annual BDF members. 10-year PSL holders who were not annual BDF members. BDF members who were not PSL holders. Customers who were neither BDF members nor PSL holders In many instances, customers from these different categories sat next to one another and paid different amounts for comparable seat locations. In the red seats alone there were 12 PSL price levels and a variety of annual BDF memberships represented. FLEXIBILITY The previous BDF pledge structure required donors who wanted the best men s basketball season tickets to be a football donor as well. The new priority seating program allows donors to make independent decisions regarding their football and men s basketball season ticket locations and donation level. PROCESSING Donors previously paid for season tickets through a membership with the BDF, while any parking or additional season tickets not covered by a membership were purchased through the Bulldog Ticket Office. In an effort to simplify this, all tickets and parking will be billed through the ticket office and the BDF will handle donations only. Despite this change we have kept our payment deadlines in line with previous years so donors have extended payment options. 2

4 BENEFITS OF THE NEW PRIORITY SEATING PROGRAM All current season ticket holders have first right of refusal No long-term commitment is required No large up-front costs More equitable pricing for all donors Lower entry donation requirements for priority seating in Bulldog Stadium and the Save Mart Center Flexibility to transfer seats and parking passes Option to select best seats in football, men s basketball, or both Total donation counts towards football parking priority Easier to understand Improved online donation capability View Priority Points and standing online 2011 DONATION LEVELS AND BENEFITS GREEN V SOCIETY BENEFITS Red Wave 100 Varsity 250 Captain 500 Champion 1,000 Victory 1,750 MVP 2,500 All American 5,000 Director 10,000 President 25,000 Hall of Fame 50,000 Team Fresno State 250,000 Tax Incentive BDF Decal Game Program Recognition BDF E-News Football Parking Access Bulldog Plaque Men s Basketball Hospitality Access All-Sports Passes (option to purchase) Football Hospitality Access Team Photo Signed by Head Coach Donor Appreciation Event Opportunity to Purchase VIP FB Parking Green V Golf Outing Green V Events Football Team Travel Green V Society Logo Opportunities Bulldog Gift First Team Scholarship donors receive Director benefits Estimated fair market value of benefits: MVP 120, All American 270, Director 810, President 1,810, Hall of Fame 2,010, Team Fresno State 2,130 Memberships must be in good standing on July 1 for game program recognition Benefits are non-transferable Gifts towards capital projects do not count towards priority seating requirements 3

5 PRIORITY POINT SYSTEM IMPORTANT NOTES Customers must have a current BDF Red Wave membership (100) or higher to be eligible for points. Current year BDF annual donations and any from the previous four years are given points as long as they are given in consecutive years. If a donor drops out for one year they forfeit points for all previous years of giving. Priority Points are not transferable. Priority Points are calculated each year prior to seating assignments and special events. The Bulldog Foundation (BDF) Priority Point System recognizes current scholarship fund donors for their support and is used to determine priority for new season ticket and parking assignments, season ticket relocations, individual game tickets, and post-season events including bowl games. Donors are given priority based on donation level and priority points within each donation level. Priority Points are awarded as follows: BDF Annual Fund Donation (current year) 4 points for every 1 donated. BDF Annual Fund Donation (historical) 2 points for every 1 donated the previous four years (years must be consecutive). Capital Gifts 1 point for each dollar donated over previous five years (from date points are calculated). Personal Seat Licenses 4 points for every 1 of pro-rated (divided by 10) active PSL s for Football (through 2011), Men s Basketball, and Baseball. Season Ticket Purchases (current year) 100 points for every season ticket purchased for any Fresno State sport. New Donations Generated (current year) 1 point for every 1 of new donation revenue generated by a fund drive volunteer or member referral. Volunteer Years of Service 100 points for every 1 year of service as a BDF Fund Drive Volunteer (retired or active). Club Red Membership (current year) 500 points for paid members of Club Red, an organization for former Bulldog Student-Athletes. IMPORTANT DATES March 31 April 15 April 30 May 31 May 31 June 30 June 30 July 15 July 31 August 15 August 31 September 15 December 15 20% of Football Donation Due or Auto-Charge Plan Set Up* Football Seating Assignments Begin Football Season Ticket Statements Mailed 50% of Football Donation Paid Football Season Ticket Order Paid in Full Football Donation Paid in Full 20% of Men s Basketball Donation Paid or Auto-Charge Plan Set Up** Men s Basketball Seating Assignments Begin 50% of Men s Basketball Donation Paid Men s Basketball Season Ticket Statements Mailed Men s Basketball Donation Paid in Full Men s Basketball Season Tickets Paid in Full Payment in Full for all 2011 Memberships *Football donations set up on Auto-Charge can have up to six (6) monthly charges starting March 1 **Basketball donations set up on Auto-Charge can have up to eight (8) monthly charges starting March 1 4

6 FOOTBALL PRIORITY SEATING HOME BENCH 2011 Minimum Donation Per Seat LEVEL 1 (ROWS 15-40) LEVEL 2 (ROWS 1-14 & 41-54) LEVEL 3 LEVEL 4 LEVEL 5 LEVEL 6 LEVEL 7 5

7 FOOTBALL PARKING Anyone who had a Red or White Lot Auto Pass in 2010 is guaranteed their parking location for 2011 as long as they maintain or increase their donation with the stipulation that all donors are at a minimum of 1,000. Minimum Donation Required for New Pass Consideration ,750 2,500 10,000 Anyone in the red lot with a donation of 2,500 or less, or in the white lot with a donation of 1,750 or less, who lowers their 2011 donation will not be eligible for parking in these lots. Anyone who lowers their donation but remains above the 2,500 and 1,750 thresholds for the red and white lots will be assigned parking based on available spaces, their donation level and priority points. All new parking requests must meet the minimum per lot donation requirements listed on this page to be considered. All passes are allocated based on available spaces, donation level, and priority points. Donors who had a Red or White Lot Picnic Space in 2010 can guarantee their location for 2011 as long as they maintain or increase their donation with the stipulation that all picnic space holders are at a minimum donation of 2,500 in New picnic spaces will be allocated based on availability and priority for donors at the 5,000 donation level and above. All scholarship fund donations count towards required parking donation. Donors can order one season parking pass for every four priority seats they purchase as long as they meet the donation requirement and purchase a minimum of two priority season tickets. All auto parking passes are valid for one standard size vehicle. Limousines, RV s, U-Hauls, Trailers, and other over-sized vehicles are not permitted in any parking lots. 6

8 MEN S BASKETBALL PRIORITY SEATING VISITORS FRESNO STATE HOME FRESNO STATE Minimum Donation Per Seat 7 2,500 1, LEVEL 1 (COURTSIDE) LEVEL 2 (ARENA BUILDERS) LEVEL 3 LEVEL 4 LEVEL 5 LEVEL 6 LEVEL 7

9 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q. Can I renew the same season tickets and/or parking I had in ?. Yes, customers will have the first right of refusal on their 2010 football and men s basketball season tickets as long as all minimum donation requirements and deadlines are met. Donors will have the opportunity to renew some or all of their parking passes depending on the quantity of priority season tickets in their account. Q. Can I transfer the season tickets and/or parking I held in 2010?. Yes, season tickets may be transferred without penalty before March 31, The donor who assumes possession of the season tickets and/or parking will need to meet the required donation and submit full payment in order to complete the transfer. Current seat holders must submit a written request to The Bulldog Foundation to start the transfer process. Q. Are any long-term commitments required to maintain season tickets and/or parking?. No, donors now make annual decisions to renew season tickets and/or parking. Q. How long are the new season tickets and/or parking prices applicable?. Although there are no immediate plans to make adjustments to the established donation requirements for season tickets and/or parking, an annual review of all requirements will take place to ensure that the needs of the Fresno State Athletics program are considered. Q. With two-years remaining on the current men s basketball PSL s, why is the men s basketball priority seating program being adjusted?. Very few new men s basketball season tickets have been purchased in recent years, partially due to the high price points. The requirements set forth when the Save Mart Center was built were based on a high demand for seats. Our goal is to introduce price points that are equitable, affordable, and comparable to many of our competitors. The new per seat minimums will give Bulldog fans (current and future season ticket holders) the opportunity to acquire seats at more affordable prices. continued 8

10 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONTINUED Q. What happens after the men s basketball season when PSL s expire?. Plans for the men s basketball season and beyond will be determined at a later date. Q. Can I upgrade my football and/or men s basketball season tickets?. Yes, all donors can submit a request for season ticket upgrades for football and/or men s basketball. All requests will be considered based on donation level and priority points within each donation level. Q. Can I lower my donation and maintain my football and/or men s basketball season tickets?. Donors who downgrade and meet the minimum donation requirements for their season football and men s basketball tickets can renew all tickets in their account. The BDF hopes that any supporter with this option will strongly consider maintaining or even increasing their donation to support Bulldog Student-Athletes. As scholarship costs continue to increase significantly, the BDF must grow its annual fund donations to continue supporting the athletics program at the highest level while transitioning to the Mountain West Conference. Q. Can I lower my donation and maintain my football parking?. Due to the high demand for football parking, donors must maintain or increase their contribution in order to guarantee their parking in the red and white lots. Lowering your donation may still qualify you for the parking you held in 2010, but allocations will be based on donation level and priority points within each donation level. Q. Why are there season ticket requirements for obtaining multiple parking passes?. Fresno State Athletics wants to reward as many qualified donors as possible with the new priority seating program. Establishing parameters on the number of parking passes per quantity of season tickets will allow us to accomplish this. Q. If I have more parking passes in my account than I am allowed, can I transfer any to another account?. Yes, parking passes can be transferred to another account as long as the donation requirements are met by March 31,

11 COMPARISON OF 2011 DONATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 2010 PRIORITY SEAT HOLDERS (See seating charts for price levels) # Gridiron Member - Had 2 football bench seats in level 7 Required donation in For same seats in Move to 2 red seats in price level 4 in # Gold Member - Had 4 football bench seats in level 7 and 4 basketball seats in level 4 Required donation in ,840 For same seats in ,800 Move to 4 red seats in price level 4 in 2011 / same basketball ,200 Move to 4 red seats in price level 3 in 2011 / same basketball ,600 Move to 4 red seats in price level 1 in 2011 / same basketball ,200 # Bronze Member - Had 2 football red seats in level 3 and 2 basketball seats in level 5 Required donation in For same seats in ,100 Move to 2 red seats in price level 4 in 2011 / same basketball Take basketball seats only in # Slam Dunk Member - Had 2 basketball seats in level 7 Required donation in For same seats in Move to 2 seats in price level 5 in # Gridiron Member - Had 2 football red seats in level 3 Donation made in For same seats in Move to 2 red seats in price level 1 in Move to 2 red seats in price level 4 in # Gridiron Member - Had 2 annual football red seats Required donation in red seats in price level 1 in red seats in price level 3 in red seats in price level 4 in # Red Seat Holder - Owned 2 red seats and was not a BDF Member Required donation in red seats in price level 1 in red seats in price level 2 in red seats in price level 3 in red seats in price level 4 in *In any of the scenarios above if the donor has red or white lot parking they must maintain their 2010 donation amount to guarantee the same parking. **2010 Red Seat holders - When calculating your required football donation remember you are not paying for a 10-year PSL again. 10

12 BULLDOG FOUNDATION OPPORTUNITIES The First Team giving program provides donors the opportunity to fully fund a 14,000 in-state scholarship for a Fresno State Student- Athlete on one of the 19 Bulldog teams. First Team donors are members of the Green V Society. Sport Clubs play a critical role in supporting Fresno State Athletics by helping increase fan enthusiasm for Fresno State teams and enhancing the student-athlete experience. Though Sport Clubs are not primarily fundraising driven, they may provide resources for designated projects approved by the athletics department. Membership fees are as follows: 35/senior, 50/individual, 100/family, and 200/corporate. Gifts beyond a membership are also accepted and utilized to support designated sport club projects. Bulldog Caterers is a program for local restaurants to support Fresno State Athletics through Gift-in-Kind and/or Trade opportunities. The success of this program allows the Bulldog Foundation to utilize funds for student-athlete scholarships as opposed to spending dollars for events such as the Touchdown Room, Donor Appreciation Dinner, Green V Society Socials, and other events that support the mission of Fresno State Athletics. Restaurants are recognized at the donor level appropriate to their donation credit (see the BDF benefits chart in this brochure). CLUB RED Club Red honors the past success of Fresno State Student-Athletes by continuing the legacy, traditions, and values experienced from participating in intercollegiate athletics. The mission of Club Red is to keep former Bulldog Student-Athletes involved with Fresno State Athletics. Annual membership to Club Red is only 25 and includes the following benefits: Free admission for active member and one guest to regular season Fresno State Athletics events (excluding football and men s basketball), access for active member and one guest to the Club Red tailgate on football game days, and 15% off regular priced merchandise at the Bulldog Shop. Corporate Dogs exists to build community involvement and rally corporations in the San Joaquin Valley behind Fresno State Athletics. There are opportunities for businesses to purchase discounted individual game group tickets for Bulldog Football. By doing so, your company will receive in-game recognition on the matrix board and discounted merchandise at the Bulldog Shop. Fresno State Athletics requests that during football home game weeks, companies decorate their offices and windows with Fresno State memorabilia (i.e. flyers, posters, banners, flags, etc.). On Friday of game week (home and away), we request that your staff wear red and participate in Wear Red Friday. For more information on any of the above opportunities, please contact The Bulldog Foundation at

13 CAPITAL PROJECTS, PLANNED GIVING, AND THE ENDOWMENT FUND CAPITAL PROJECTS Quality facilities are vital to Bulldog Athletics and two very important capital projects are the new Sports Medicine Center and the Bulldog Stadium Turf Project. Sports Medicine Center The Sports Medicine Center will be a 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance the health and welfare of all Bulldog Student-Athletes. This unique and essential facility will allow for preventative medicine, nutritional counseling, physician examination, injury treatment, on-site x-ray and rehabilitation services, and sufficient office and counseling space to support the Fresno State sports medicine staff and physicians group. The Sports Medicine Center will serve as the third cornerstone of Fresno State s Student-Athlete Village, designed to provide Bulldog Student-Athletes with a single and secure facility intended nded to assist their wellbeing, development, and achievement. No single facility will have a more positive effect on the daily physical wellbeing and lives of Bulldog Student-Athletes. PLANNED GIVING Our current base of annual fund donors and season ticket holders provides a vast array of prospects for planned giving at various levels. The Bulldog Foundation and Fresno State are jointly positioned to help educate donors about the win-win strategy of planned gifts. ENDOWMENT FUND The Bulldog Foundation Endowment Fund makes an annual distribution from the fund balance for scholarships. Gifts, including memorial donations, can be made to this fund to support student-athlete scholarships. A gift of 250,000 fully endows an in-state scholarship in perpetuity. For more information on capital projects, planned giving, and the endowment fund, please call Bulldog Stadium Turf Project New synthetic turf in Bulldog Stadium will help Fresno State Athletics continue its growth in stature and competition as we make the transition to the Mountain West Conference. There are many benefits to synthetic turf, including: Recruiting Advantage Fewer Injuries All-Weather Availability Reduced Maintenance Cost Effective Investment 12

14 BULLDOG FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION How are donations made to the Bulldog Foundation (BDF) allocated? All dollars raised for the Bulldog Foundation Annual Fund go towards student-athlete scholarships with the exception of the operational budget of the BDF Office. How many student-athletes receive financial support from the Bulldog Foundation annually? Approximately 350 student-athletes receive partial or full scholarships through the Bulldog Foundation each year. How many athletic scholarships can Fresno State award each year? Per NCAA guidelines Fresno State can award the following number of full scholarships for each sport annually: Baseball* (Men) Basketball (Men) Basketball (Women) Equestrian* (Women) Football (Men) Golf* (Men) Golf* (Women) Lacrosse* (Women) Soccer* (Women) Softball* (Women) Swimming and Diving* (Women) Tennis* (Men) Tennis (Women) Track & Field* (Men) Track & Field* (Women) Volleyball (Women) *Coaches may divide scholarships between student-athletes How much did a full scholarship for one student-athlete cost in ? In-State Student Out-of-State Student Tuition & Fees 4,879 16,039 Books Room & Board 8,900 8,900 14,179 25,339 Why is it so important that annual Bulldog Foundation donations continue to increase? Tuition has increased 177% over the past decade and will increase again in Also, in 2010 there was a shortfall between the total cost of scholarships (4.7M) and the dollars raised (3.4M). (See charts ) 13

15 14

16 P.O. Box Fresno, CA Phone: Fax: