Editor's note: Corrects first sentence to reflect that policy applies to academic donations and to remove reference to out-of-town games.
KNOXVILLE - Donors to academic programs at the University of Tennessee will need to give money to a new fund overseen by the athletic department in order to qualify for tickets to sporting events and to get parking passes starting in the 2010-11 season.
UT says it has created the Tennessee Fund "to consolidate and streamline the athletic benefit program, ensure equity in the program, and eliminate any confusion for donors regarding tax deductibility of … gifts."
The new fund also will include the Volunteer Athletics & Scholarship Fund and Lady Vol Boost-Her Club.
Gifts may be made to academics through the Tennessee Fund, but donors won't be able to designate those donations toward specific academic programs, UT said. Instead, campus leadership will allocate such donations.
The university says about 16,000 tickets and about 35 percent of parking and away game tickets go to donors who give at least $500 in a given year to non-athletic programs.
Starting with the 2010-11 sports seasons, the athletic department "will begin assigning all athletic benefits (season tickets, away game tickets, and parking)," UT stated.
"Tennessee has historically had a unique partnership between academics and athletics - especially as it relates to our donors ability to have athletic benefits for academic donations," UT Interim President Jan Simek said in a statement. "The creation of the Tennessee Fund will further enhance that relationship while also allowing the university to streamline the management of athletic benefits."
UT said the athletic department gives $1.375 million annually to scholarships for non-athletes and $1.125 million to parking garage debt service.
The new Tennessee Fund will allow "guaranteed direct cash support" to rise an average of $2.875 million annually for the next 10 years, so average direct cash support will be $5.375 million a year.
"Over the past few years it has become more and more apparent that maintaining two separate football and men's basketball priority programs was not only inefficient in terms of resources and staff allocation, but has also created benefit differences and confusion to donors," Simek stated. "We feel this will improve service and fairness for all donors while allowing the University to continue its unique tradition of using athletic benefits to reward general university support."
More details as they develop online and in Thursday's News Sentinel.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 40
pabashia#208095 writes:
Count me as one who gives money to non-academic programs (also athletics) and receives the benefits. I appreciate that the University recognizes that although I don't give all of my money to athletics, I still contribute a sizable amount to academic programs in general.
If tickets are now assigned based on contributions to this "Athletics Fund" only, I'll probably forgo the tickets and simply purchase on the secondary market.
The Faculty Senate can't be pleased with this.
88volgrad writes:
Aren't non-academic and athletics the same thing?
utfpmd writes:
I give to the medical school (a gift for academics) and receive the ability to buy season tickets. Now it appears I will have to give to this "Tennessee fund" with no ability to designate the giving for the medical school.
2 questions I have to ask myself:
1) Is it worth giving to the medical school if I have to make a separate donation to receive season football tickets?
2) Is it worth giving to the Tennessee fund (not knowing the destination of the money) in order to receive the season tickets?
Right now I am thinking I can take the money I donate along with the money I spend on season tickets and get some really awesome tickets between the 30 yard lines (which would be much better seats than my present season tickets).
pabashia#208095 writes:
@utfpmd
Bingo: That's exactly what I'm thinking of doing as well. I can get better tickets on the secondary market for the games I want than to pour money into the Athletic pool instead of teh academic programs.
[my original post should have read 'non-athletic']
Go4Two writes:
Noticed the Fla tickets are $70 this year.
zqvol writes:
Not sure how this effects a lot but for some it is no change:
Q. How will this affect my season ticket location?
A: Donors will need to continue making their annual gift or remain part of their giving society to maintain their football and basketball ticket locations. Gift club members who have achieved lifetime status will have their lifetime status honored and will not be required to make additional gifts.
http://www.utsports.com/genrel/070109...
VolVolFan writes:
What a surprise... now we donors are going to be honored with giving to another fund, in order that we still can purchase football tickets. We have contributed to UT for the last 35 years, I'm thinking that will come to an end at least for my family. With the budget they now have for all the "great" football staff it is no surprise that the donors are going to pay the bill. Why does Mike Hamilton just come out and say, we (ticket holders) are going to pay for his new staff. He does not have the backbone to say they are in over their head with his directions. I vote for a new Athlectic Director - one that can use some common sense on how to pay for a staff. When you do not have monies to spend - hey guess what Mikie Don't spend (especially on a head coach that has never coached a college game to date). What CEO OR CFO goes out and hires a 33 year old with no experience and pays him millions (Why that would be Mikie)
halloffamebowler writes:
How are you affected with this decision? You have no dog in this fight.Best if you shut your mouth and let us that are affected do the complaining.Our deficit is no concern of yours.Stupid is as stupid does.
volboy81 writes:
dont FL season tkts holders have to anti up big time to get those $40 tkts?
Volunatic writes:
So if you don't want to give to VASF, you have to donate to the 15 Vice Presidents' salaries in order to get the right to purchase preferred season tickets.
LAME.
PaulTheVol writes:
I gave up season tickets several years ago when I realized that I could buy the same seats on the secondary market while spending less money overall and not get stuck with tickets to unattractive games.
NashvillePreds writes:
From your posts, it just sounds like you're a little bitter that your school can not balance their athletic budget. Tennessee is one of the handful of schools in the country that is totally self- sustained.
EAT IT CHUMP.
DaVols writes:
Amen, Not knowing where my money is going to be spent is not how I will be investing in the University. If I buy tickets on the street and pay 2-300$ a ticket I'm still money ahead.
TommyJack writes:
defamatory, abusive
PennVol writes:
I have been an academic donor and received athletic benefits. This worked out well because many corporations will match contributions to the academic department but not the athletic department.
corrinebrown writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
UTandETSUfan writes:
No one is making your donate. If you don't like the staff, that is fine, but when we are winning national championships with them, don't be claiming to be a Vol fan then. A true fan sticks by his program and his coach and staff.
I vote that all you fake Vol fans would just shut up and get on with your lives.
DaVols writes:
Sticks by the team, yes. Held up and extorted for money so Mikey can spend outrageous sums like there will be no consequences?...don't think so. They're reasoning for a TN fund is what's fake. After all they're supposed to be STUDENT athletes, moron.
tennecwingrider writes:
Goodbye Hamilton. Your fingerprints and stench are all over this. This is nothing but a PSL. Can't wait to see how much this is per ticket. You have finally driven me out of Neyland after 35 years of having the same season tickets. You can have 'em. We could all see something like this coming with your mismanaged, over budget stadium project. While you have succeeded in placating to your buddies who keep you in your job, you will hurt overall donations. I have donated to the College of Communications for the same 35 years and will not be forced to give to any fund I don't want to, nor have a committee say where my money will go. I will always cheer for the Vols and for the end of your career.
IndianOutlaw writes:
To all you bltchers and gripers, It's what the market will bear and they are seeing what it will bear. No tax dollars in the programs so you don't have to make it your problem unless you choose. You want a great program you have to pay for it and it should not be up to the tax payers to do so. Watch it on TV if you don't want to go. And yes this will affect me. I been a consecutive donor since 1972 to academics, a member of The Heritage Society, and a season ticket holder since the 80's with one of the great parking spots in the UC parking garage. Along with a 1200 mile or greater trip for a home game many of those years. I will see what they offer and if I want to keep it I will pay it, if I don't I can buy a new TV. But you make yourself heard with the dollar not the gripe.
volsgirl writes:
sorry.........no!!!!!!!
IndianOutlaw writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
gatorzwearstebowpanties writes:
Not true District of Columbia zrotag. Ole Miss won on that there field last year. Bwahahahahah
HallowedHill writes:
Playin' with my money is like playin' with my emotions.
VolVolFan writes:
You are right, it is a donation of my choice,therefore, I will donate if I so choose - I don't need you to direct me on my giving to the University. When you give donations for 35 years and buy season tickets for that long - you should have a voice in who gets the money and "where" it is going. I love the way you guys tell me how "I" need to be a true Vol Fan when we are winning. What a joke! Keep in mind I was there when we were losing (Majors,Battle,Dickey)You really don't think I stop giving to the University when we lost games and season do you? So please, don't insult with such remarks. I AM A TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER and will continue to be, but I don't have to agree with the likes of Mike Hamilton when he keeps making the decisions to spend donors money on unproven coaching staffs (which is what this all boils down to be)cablities. I will still be there when we end this season, and I suspect it won't be pretty, but I think the question to you is - Will you still be there, or will you be the fan who leaves when the first ball is dropped, intercepted, fumbled, etc. I would suggest that you to start donating to the cause. Hey since you are so free with money, you might want to vote Mike Hamilton a raise.
theoldbear writes:
The University of Tennessee Athletic Department continues to break my heart. I suspect there will be a lot of folks who have given to academics who will rebel at this rip off and stop donating, and stop buying tickets. I did years ago. Shame on you, Mike Hamilton!
Hounddog writes:
Let's play football. Hounddog
govols082859#1369959 writes:
DC FloridaGator,
It's a shame you and the other 3-4 interlopers are the only UF fans that own computers in the trailer park. If you had some fans outside the trailer park then maybe you could start up your own website....
BTW, did you fart, I smell vasoline?
UTandETSUfan writes:
I'll reply to both DaVols and VolVol together.
That is the point I was trying to make. No one is forcing you to donate. No one is forcing you to buy tickets. DaVols, to say that your being "Held up" and "Extorted" is the moronic statement. The University/Athletic Dept/Hamilton can charge whatever they want for tickets and put all the pre-requirements they want on the tickets. Its called the free market. When people stop paying/donating then prices will drop, but as long as the demand is there prices will continue to rise.
VolVol, I shouldn't have brought your fan-hood into question, and for that I apologize, but like it or not, Lane Kiffin is your Head Football coach, and all Vols need to stand by him (just as we all should have with Fulmer).
panties4tebow writes:
dc just simply has a fowl mouth....as I said earlier his breath stinks and smells like gatorz!
VolVolFan writes:
I agree, we (i) do and will stand with Kiffin. I have no intentions of tucking tail and running (granted,I am not trilled with the prospect of more donations, but we will see). Again, I support and uphold Kiffin until (like Fulmer) he moves on or whatever. I actually feel bad for Kiffin knowing some of the responsbility that is on him at such a young age. I hope he stands strong when the winds blow (if they do)and will coach the guys up to be great football players on and off the field. I look forward to this season of Tennessee Football. I will always say "IT'S GREAT TO BE A TENNESSE VOL".
Voluvr writes:
The Academia loaves the athletic dept's power and big salaries, but loves the money it provides.
When you can get 107,000 people to drive up on Saturday to watch a guy do a math problem, then, we'll pay the professors 4 million a year.
Great move Mike. If you want football tickets, donate to the athletic dept. If you want to donate to the school, you shouldn't be giving expecting something in return.
give_him_6 writes:
I did the same thing. And I'm a lot happier with the extra money. And I still park relativly close. It was a real simple choice. I'm not sure Mike is making a good choice on this.
Orangeblood13 writes:
maybe you guys at fla can teach us something, wait, reading from the headlines, we will pass
Hrockytop writes:
Times up, let's do this thang....LEEROY JENKINS
hotcarl writes:
Dammit Leeroy why do you do this?
Hrockytop writes:
Least I have chicken
hotcarl writes:
Intimidating Shout
Ralph_Crampton writes:
All the above problems can be solved by winning BIG in the two major sports, football and basketball...that's it.
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Ya can't get milk from a dry cow.
As VASF got crazy a few years back we gave up the season tickets we had for a zillion years. We found it was just as easy to get great seats at a slightly elevated per game cost, and park by the Convention Center and take the bus to the Hill.
(The best seats we ever had were on the visitors side in the front row of the second teir @ the 45 yard line. Fantastic!) Got both seats for $55 a piece for a Georgia game.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.