Section 12 - 30 years at $100

[CyAg]

The season ticket price is the same for 2008. You get six games for the same price as you paid for seven games last year. It is the donation level that has gone up.

This is one specific area and this logic that is is causing some frustration among many donors and ticket holders. It is a fair point for discussion without running down those that have a problem with it.

There are 2 things going on right now.

1. Re-indexing and new donor section assignments. This is long over due and should be updated every couple of years. Since last done, we have had grandfathering of donation level to keep seats and the membership of Cyclone Club has continued to grow. Right now there are many donors sitting way below their donation seating level and many have been for several years.

Basically, if we are going to have a seating priority system based on donation levels it has to be updated and followed. ISU is allowing current donors the option of keeping their seats, which recognizes the commitment of long term donors. Other colleges have just started over and reseated completely when they did this.

It was announced a year in advance, the giving levels did not change all that much, and everyone has an option. It is never perfect but if you have $2,500 donors sitting with $1,000 donors for several years, while their are $1,500 donors sitting a couple of section over who are not being asked to make the current donation for their location, there is a problem. There is no incentive to increase donations, nor for new donors to make a donation level for a seat.

Nothing is perfect, but I think they are being pretty good in balancing the interests of all parties in this process.

2. The ticket prices are another issue. So they had to be raised last year, and now we are in the top 1/2 at least of the B12 for cost per game. I am not arguing this point

However, have the AD continue to say prices did not go up, combined with the re-seating is not good. We are paying the same for one less game, increasing donations and some are struggling with a mid-week game.

From a marketing perspective, don't play games with the pricing, it is an increase. If not, will we keep it the same when we go back to 7 games?

In my opinion, how it is being presented is not helping. In addition, it would not have hurt to make a token adjustment to reflect a loss of the 1 game. It is done all the time.

For the record, I am a donor, sit below my donation level, and have increased my donation each year for several years.

Personally, I have respect for those struggling with whether to keep their tickets and seats. I also feel, unless you are a donor, you really should not make a post telling someone to pony up, or just get cheaper seats. In any case a little less jumping on those expressing a concern would be good.

However, I also feel the re-indexing is overdue to make they donations equitable.

 

[Stormin]

We've gone over this before, but essentially the season ticket prices went up since there is one fewer game on the schedule this year. Or are we considering one game from last year as free admission?

No, but the point has been made that now with six games for the same price, that they are now unaffordable. Money paid out is the same. But you certainly are getting less product for the same money. Like previously getting a 1 oz. candy bar. But now you are getting a .85 oz. candy bar for the same price.

I can understand the frustration of the increases with the donor levels. But some people have been making bigger donations for poorer seats. If the long term seat holders are unwilling to pay, then they can sit in the cheaper seats and let the people who are willing to pay sit in the better seats.

 

[PolkCityClone]

Money is not everything, it is about the coaches and the players playing the way the coach wants them to play. Rutgers, South Florida and K-State do not have a lot of money and they have been alright in football.

The donation and ticket prices are not usually the problem, it is the the shelling out of anywhere from $50 - $1000 per home game depending on where you live and how far you have to travel.

Remember, not everyone makes $100,000+ per household.

Maybe you need a better paying job. One that pays $100k.

 

[Stormin]

This is one specific area and this logic that is is causing some frustration among many donors and ticket holders. It is a fair point for discussion without running down those that have a problem with it.

There are 2 things going on right now.

1. Re-indexing and new donor section assignments. This is long over due and should be updated every couple of years. Since last done, we have had grandfathering of donation level to keep seats and the membership of Cyclone Club has continued to grow. Right now there are many donors sitting way below their donation seating level and many have been for several years.

Basically, if we are going to have a seating priority system based on donation levels it has to be updated and followed. ISU is allowing current donors the option of keeping their seats, which recognizes the commitment of long term donors. Other colleges have just started over and reseated completely when they did this.

It was announced a year in advance, the giving levels did not change all that much, and everyone has an option. It is never perfect but if you have $2,500 donors sitting with $1,000 donors for several years, while their are $1,500 donors sitting a couple of section over who are not being asked to make the current donation for their location, there is a problem. There is no incentive to increase donations, nor for new donors to make a donation level for a seat.

Nothing is perfect, but I think they are being pretty good in balancing the interests of all parties in this process.

2. The ticket prices are another issue. So they had to be raised last year, and now we are in the top 1/2 at least of the B12 for cost per game. I am not arguing this point

However, have the AD continue to say prices did not go up, combined with the re-seating is not good. We are paying the same for one less game, increasing donations and some are struggling with a mid-week game.

From a marketing perspective, don't play games with the pricing, it is an increase. If not, will we keep it the same when we go back to 7 games?

In my opinion, how it is being presented is not helping. In addition, it would not have hurt to make a token adjustment to reflect a loss of the 1 game. It is done all the time.

For the record, I am a donor, sit below my donation level, and have increased my donation each year for several years.

Personally, I have respect for those struggling with whether to keep their tickets and seats. I also feel, unless you are a donor, you really should not make a post telling someone to pony up, or just get cheaper seats. In any case a little less jumping on those expressing a concern would be good.

However, I also feel the re-indexing is overdue to make they donations equitable.

So next year, if season tickets go to $375 for seven games, can Pollard market it as a PRICE DECREASE? Using your logic, he can.

I'm not jumping on anyone or telling them to pony up. I am telling them that there are cheaper options out there for seating. They can pay $350 and sit in a non-donor section, they can buy Cy's Pack tickets, they can buy hillside, they can buy $350 tickets in a lower level of donation section.

Long term donors will STILL get a better seat than me, because I have not been a season ticket holder for very long. We can make the SAME donation and pay the SAME price and my seats will still be poorer seats. But that is just the way it is. So make a decision.

Ronald Reagan used this logic when it came to minimum wage jobs. He said the minimum wage earner was actually better off than the person who made a higher wage. The minimum wage earner had to work MORE hours to make the same money. Because of this, he LESS time for leisure and therefore LESS time to spend money. So since he had to work all the time, he was actually better off than his higher paid neighbor.

So look at it this way. Going to the games costs money. Gas to get there. Beverages, food, etc., etc. If you only have SIX games instead of Seven games to go to, it will actually cost you LESS money. So you are really better off only having six games instead of seven games. (PS I never really agreed with Reagan's philosophy on that one, but thought it would apply here as well).

 

[ICCYFAN]

There are plenty of affordable seats. Pretty narrow minded to say you aren't going to buy tickets because you have to move seats.

Who are you to make such a comment? My family of five has been in the same section for five years and we're bummed about the stadium renovation (which will relocate us away from friends we've made). The original poster has been in his seats for 30 years; I'll make the assumption that he's made some pretty good friends there, which enhances his level of enjoyment at the games. It's pretty cavalier of everyone who's suggesting it's a simple matter to change seats.

If I'm asked to judge the level of someone's committment to ISU football, I'll give the nod to a 30-year fan over some big-bucks johnny-come-lately any day of the week! I understand the economics, but it still makes me sad...

 

[tube1]

Who are you to make such a comment? My family of five has been in the same section for five years and we're bummed about the stadium renovation (which will relocate us away from friends we've made). The original poster has been in his seats for 30 years; I'll make the assumption that he's made some pretty good friends there, which enhances his level of enjoyment at the games. It's pretty cavalier of everyone who's suggesting it's a simple matter to change seats.

If I'm asked to judge the level of someone's committment to ISU football, I'll give the nod to a 30-year fan over some big-bucks johnny-come-lately any day of the week! I understand the economics, but it still makes me sad...

Dolla dolla bill y'all. Money over loyalty with this administration.

 

[cyclonenum1]

Since I live too far away to even consider season tickets (I do have season tickets where I reside), I offer three comments based upon recent posts:

1) There are no bad seats at JTS.
2) Your ticket and "donation" prices are very reasonable in comparison to other BCS schools around the country.
3) I think the athletic administration is making a mistake by not wiping the entire slate clean and conducting an entirely new reseating based upon current donor levels...this is what most schools do. In effect, what they are doing now appears to be an effort to keep everyone happy which, as is typical, ends up making everyone mad.

 

[CyBobby]

Two years ago I was able to increase my donation to $250. I'm unable to up my contribution to $500 this year so I dropped my tickets. Am I the only one being priced out of this market?
I'm a little concerned that Jamie does not know his customer base. I was a loyal fan for over 30 years; throw me under the bus because I can't double my donation in 2008?

Section 12 will be empty most of this season; Nebraska fans will fill it October 18th and I doubt they donate anything to the NCC!

Thank you Jamie

Yeah Well...Stop your WHINING and go trade in some pop bottles and give old jamie an extra 250 and support the clones.

If ya want to know why isu cant get out of the basement its simply fans unwilling to pay the freight for a winning football program.

Iowa State fans have a champayne appetite on a beer budget...quoting Chuck at kxno:yes:

 

[Aclone]

If I'm asked to judge the level of someone's committment to ISU football, I'll give the nod to a 30-year fan over some big-bucks johnny-come-lately any day of the week! I understand the economics, but it still makes me sad...

Just curious--how many "thirty year ticket holders" are about to give birth to their second child? I'm guessing that perhaps the original poster's parents held the season tickets for a substantial portion of that thirty years.

If you have small children, there are choices that you have to make. And frankly, as much as I love the Cyclones, I cannot see season tickets (and donations) being at the very top of the priority list.

 

[CyBobby]

Boys Boys Boys...In the big 12 its all about the money...The schools with the most money do the most winning...those that dont have money do most of the losing...Looks like econ 101 to me!!!!

Unless Jamie Pollard can repeal the laws of sports finance Iowa State will continue to lose....Quoting Chuck on kxno

 

[everyyard]

Two years ago I was able to increase my donation to $250. I'm unable to up my contribution to $500 this year so I dropped my tickets. Am I the only one being priced out of this market?
I'm a little concerned that Jamie does not know his customer base. I was a loyal fan for over 30 years; throw me under the bus because I can't double my donation in 2008?

Section 12 will be empty most of this season; Nebraska fans will fill it October 18th and I doubt they donate anything to the NCC!

Thank you Jamie

Maybe we should just field the practice squad, lose every game by 50 points from now until eternity, and charge 10 bucks general admission and maybe throw in free popcorn. Geez dude. If you're priced out of your seats do what the rest of us that want a competitive BIG 12 FOOTBALL TEAM do when that occurs and SWITCH FREAKING SEATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $#%@@!!! UNI probably offers affordable seats on the 50 yard line.

 

[MontyBurns]

The season ticket price is the same for 2008. You get six games for the same price as you paid for seven games last year. It is the donation level that has gone up.

If you paid $350 for tickets and a $250 donation for seats in 2007 and before, and are now required to pay $350 for tickets and a $500 donation for the same seats, your price went up no matter how you slice it.

Arguing that the price didn't go up is Southernhawk-type double-speak.

No matter how much you polish a turd, at the end of the day it's still a turd.

 

[ISUKyro]

Wow this is about as bad as the drama from my middle school students.
What is more important that you sit by your friends, talk to them and never cheer. Or we try and make a team that wins games.

Hey a thought..... you may make new friends in a new section. Well not if you act like a kid, but hey it's something to work on

 

[MontyBurns]

Wow this is about as bad as the drama from my middle school students.
What is more important that you sit by your friends, talk to them and never cheer. Or we try and make a team that wins games.

Kansas and Missouri managed to make teams that win a few games without 100% increases in required donations that drove loyal fans and long term ticket holders out of their seats or out of the stadium completely.

 

[isuno1fan]

So next year, if season tickets go to $375 for seven games, can Pollard market it as a PRICE DECREASE? Using your logic, he can.

I'm not jumping on anyone or telling them to pony up. I am telling them that there are cheaper options out there for seating. They can pay $350 and sit in a non-donor section, they can buy Cy's Pack tickets, they can buy hillside, they can buy $350 tickets in a lower level of donation section.

Long term donors will STILL get a better seat than me, because I have not been a season ticket holder for very long. We can make the SAME donation and pay the SAME price and my seats will still be poorer seats. But that is just the way it is. So make a decision.

Ronald Reagan used this logic when it came to minimum wage jobs. He said the minimum wage earner was actually better off than the person who made a higher wage. The minimum wage earner had to work MORE hours to make the same money. Because of this, he LESS time for leisure and therefore LESS time to spend money. So since he had to work all the time, he was actually better off than his higher paid neighbor.

So look at it this way. Going to the games costs money. Gas to get there. Beverages, food, etc., etc. If you only have SIX games instead of Seven games to go to, it will actually cost you LESS money. So you are really better off only having six games instead of seven games. (PS I never really agreed with Reagan's philosophy on that one, but thought it would apply here as well).

Everything you say above is right on the money!

 

[LindenCy]

I can't believe how BAD this thread is. First of all, money does not equate to winning. It helps a TON, but just because you drop coin, doesn't mean you will win. Did we need to update our prices? - Yes, but this argument about entertainment value is bunk. Compared to pro sports it is cheaper, but the product should be better at a pro game (I realize it very well could not be, and I would rather go to an ISU football game than any pro game). The thing I am really getting annoyed with on here is that people are just assuming someone is cheap or didn't "pony up." Some are like that, some are not, but 20 years ago, I wonder how many fans would have come even if the games were free.

Can people just have some respect for each other? That is part of what being a Cyclone is about - not treating people like garbage.

 

[isuno1fan]

Who are you to make such a comment? My family of five has been in the same section for five years and we're bummed about the stadium renovation (which will relocate us away from friends we've made). The original poster has been in his seats for 30 years; I'll make the assumption that he's made some pretty good friends there, which enhances his level of enjoyment at the games. It's pretty cavalier of everyone who's suggesting it's a simple matter to change seats.

If I'm asked to judge the level of someone's committment to ISU football, I'll give the nod to a 30-year fan over some big-bucks johnny-come-lately any day of the week! I understand the economics, but it still makes me sad...

I'll tell you who I am...I am a 20 year donor/fan who has moved seats 6 times in that 20 years and you know what? It didn't make a lick of difference where I sat. The people around me were always Cyclone fans and I got to know all of them very well during the course of every season. Point being that you have a great time wherever you sit.

I used to sit with a group of friends, but last year I upped my donation to $1500 because I am buying into what Pollard is selling. Because of my higher donation, I was moved away from my group of friends and sat in a section by myself. Still didn't matter. Had a great time everygame and the people around me became my buddies. This year I upped to $2500 and also purchased a spare ticket. I have no idea what seat I will be in and it doesn't matter because I know I will have a good view of the field and will get to know the folks around me as I always have.

Switching seats is not as big of a deal as some want to make it.

 

[tube1]

Kansas and Missouri managed to make teams that win a few games without 100% increases in required donations that drove loyal fans and long term ticket holders out of their seats or out of the stadium completely.

Maybe a clean slate of fans is what this university needs. Bad football in the past is attributible to bad and cheap fans. Get the cheapskates out and bring in new fans and this program will turn itself around. Older fans sit on their hands. Younger fans get up and cheer. And they don't worry about money because credit grows on trees and retirement isn't for many, MANY years away. And eveybody knows that those with deep pockets must care for the program more.

Yuck. I threw up in my mouth typing that. But this is how I feel when I read this thread and listen to Jamie's comments.

 

[LindenCy]

I'll tell you who I am...I am a 20 year donor/fan who has moved seats 6 times in that 20 years and you know what? It didn't make a lick of difference where I sat. The people around me were always Cyclone fans and I got to know all of them very well during the course of every season. Point being that you have a great time wherever you sit.

I used to sit with a group of friends, but last year I upped my donation to $1500 because I am buying into what Pollard is selling. Because of my higher donation, I was moved away from my group of friends and sat in a section by myself. Still didn't matter. Had a great time everygame and the people around me became my buddies. This year I upped to $2500 and also purchased a spare ticket. I have no idea what seat I will be in and it doesn't matter because I know I will have a good view of the field and will get to know the folks around me as I always have.

Switching seats is not as big of a deal as some want to make it.

Ok, you deserve some props for at least having street cred on the issue.:smile: I think that many are buying into Pollard's approach, which is why we are able to get more money, and I don't want to complain about that.

 

[brianhos]

I can't believe this thread is still going, and that I just contributed to it still going.

We will have this same argument approx 112 more times between now and the beginning of football. Welcome to dead time.