Athletic Department Contact

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2nd Degree Gopher said:
I have had a few of these calls over the years and I have taken them up on the invite twice that I can recall. The calls have typically been from development people and, yes, they want to discuss with you the different ways that you might be able to donate or increase your donations, but there wasn't any hard sell. I found the people I met with to be engaging and willing to give a little "peak behind the curtain" and share some information that wasn't public knowledge. No state secrets, but interesting nonetheless.

Anyone with a connection to the program--season ticket holder, donor, etc.--who feels like they might enjoy the experience should reach out, they would probably welcome the opportunity to meet with someone who is proactively seeking the contact rather than trying to connect with prospects who are usually trying to avoid them.
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I work in development for a higher-ed institution. You captured it perfectly. We share more intimate details and engage individuals in a personal manner. There’s no used-car salesman pitch in our tool kit, or not for successful people in the industry.
 


FatNTired said:
I work in development for a higher-ed institution. You captured it perfectly. We share more intimate details and engage individuals in a personal manner. There’s no used-car salesman pitch in our tool kit, or not for successful people in the industry.
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Pictures?🤔
 







It’s getting tougher and tougher to want to want to connect with these people seeking donations and money. The athletes themselves say they are professionals or at least want to enjoy the benefits of professionalism. The school wants to charge prices on par with professional sports events. The media tells me constantly that the millionaire coaches can leave whenever they want, the players should be paid and transfer at will and the facilities should be on par with pro sports teams. And the school itself needs multiple layers of very well paid administration.

But gifts? Donations? Why are we the only ones still suppose to pretend this is amateur sports or not for profit efducation?
 

WoodburyTim said:
It’s getting tougher and tougher to want to want to connect with these people seeking donations and money. The athletes themselves say they are professionals or at least want to enjoy the benefits of professionalism. The school wants to charge prices on par with professional sports events. The media tells me constantly that the millionaire coaches can leave whenever they want, the players should be paid and transfer at will and the facilities should be on par with pro sports teams. And the school itself needs multiple layers of very well paid administration.

But gifts? Donations? Why are we the only ones still suppose to pretend this is amateur sports or not for profit efducation?
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Not to mention how complicated and intensive it's become for athletic departments and coaches. Those jobs have been tough enough historically; now we lump these things on top of them. As many potentially great coaches have avoided the profession because of its meat-grinder aspects, this will undoubtedly dissuade others from going into the profession. At least in the pros, you have an orderly system for player procurement and retention. Sure there's recruiting for free agents, but it's within a sane framework. College sports are feeling like a developing disaster area.
 

WoodburyTim said:
It’s getting tougher and tougher to want to want to connect with these people seeking donations and money. The athletes themselves say they are professionals or at least want to enjoy the benefits of professionalism. The school wants to charge prices on par with professional sports events. The media tells me constantly that the millionaire coaches can leave whenever they want, the players should be paid and transfer at will and the facilities should be on par with pro sports teams. And the school itself needs multiple layers of very well paid administration.

But gifts? Donations? Why are we the only ones still suppose to pretend this is amateur sports or not for profit efducation?
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I dont disagree with much of this but when looking at prices I dont think you can reasonably say they are on par with pro sports.

You can get a season ticket to Gopher football for $200. If you want an assigned seat, I think its around $250. Thats $35 per game if they have 7 home games. The Vikings charge a one time $500 for the cheapest seat...and thats just to have the right to buy the tickets. Those are $840 per seat...so roughly 3 times the cost. Their most expensive non-suite tickets are $2070 per season with the 1 time seat fee of $3700. The Gophers most expensive non-suite tickets are $1130, with no seat fee. So roughly double if you have the cash to sit in those.

The disparity between Wild and Gophers hockey, Twins and Gophers baseball, Wolves and Gophers hoops, etc. is mostly similar. I am not going to go through it all. Maybe you can find the Twins pass to make it comparable? I dont know. I went to a Gopher baseball game for $5. It was lovely.
 



UpAndUnder43 said:
I dont disagree with much of this but when looking at prices I dont think you can reasonably say they are on par with pro sports.

You can get a season ticket to Gopher football for $200. If you want an assigned seat, I think its around $250. Thats $35 per game if they have 7 home games. The Vikings charge a one time $500 for the cheapest seat...and thats just to have the right to buy the tickets. Those are $840 per seat...so roughly 3 times the cost. Their most expensive non-suite tickets are $2070 per season with the 1 time seat fee of $3700. The Gophers most expensive non-suite tickets are $1130, with no seat fee. So roughly double if you have the cash to sit in those.

The disparity between Wild and Gophers hockey, Twins and Gophers baseball, Wolves and Gophers hoops, etc. is mostly similar. I am not going to go through it all. Maybe you can find the Twins pass to make it comparable? I dont know. I went to a Gopher baseball game for $5. It was lovely.
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The Twins have a standing room only pass they sell for like $50/month. People seem to like it and apparently they aren't really strict about enforcing it if you sit in the cheap seats. Frankly, Gopher basketball might need to do something like that this year.
 

howeda7 said:
The Twins have a standing room only pass they sell for like $50/month. People seem to like it and apparently they aren't really strict about enforcing it if you sit in the cheap seats. Frankly, Gopher basketball might need to do something like that this year.
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Twins was the caveat. Though Gophers are still cheaper. To compare football with the Vikings is tough as they arent similar in cost.

Gopher mens hoops might just want to tarp the upper deck (I'M JOKING. THIS TEAM WILL BE GOOD!!)
 

I guess I wasn’t trying to say Gopher football is the same price as the Vikings. More that when both charge you in the hundreds to get in and $10 plus for a beer, only one follows up by asking for a donation.

But yeah the Vikings are more expensive.
 

WoodburyTim said:
I guess I wasn’t trying to say Gopher football is the same price as the Vikings. More that when both charge you in the hundreds to get in and $10 plus for a beer, only one follows up by asking for a donation.

But yeah the Vikings are more expensive.
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The vikings has have a MUCH higher payroll.
 

WoodburyTim said:
when both charge you in the hundreds to get in
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Huh? You can go to literally any Gophers home game you want for $30-40. You're being more than a little disingenuous.
WoodburyTim said:
when both charge you in the hundreds to get in and $10 plus for a beer, only one follows up by asking for a donation.
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Of course they're going to ask for donations, just like virtually every other post-secondary institution on the planet. You are free to say no.
 

The entire collegiate system is changing. That change may accelerate.
 

WoodburyTim said:
I guess I wasn’t trying to say Gopher football is the same price as the Vikings. More that when both charge you in the hundreds to get in and $10 plus for a beer, only one follows up by asking for a donation.

But yeah the Vikings are more expensive.
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PLUS the Gophers players need to get "paid" to stay on par with the rest of Big Ten and P5 competition .... which is done by (further) donations to a "NIL collective".

Can't make it up.

At least NFL is an honest business, even if it is prohibitively expensive to attend.
 

dpodoll68 said:
Huh? You can go to literally any Gophers home game you want for $30-40. You're being more than a little disingenuous.
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Any seat with an existing chairback is going to be pretty darn close to $100 as a season ticket holder. Mine near the goal line are $92.85 per game.
 

Ope3 said:
Any seat with an existing chairback is going to be pretty darn close to $100 as a season ticket holder. Mine near the goal line are $92.85 per game.
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Well yeah, if you want to guarantee your seat of choice for every game, it's going to cost a lot more than that - but that isn't what I said. In fact, it's even less than what I said in the previous post, as I just looked it up and it's less than $200 for the Gopher Pass, or ~$28.50 per game for guaranteed access to each and every game.

At any rate, saying it "costs you in the hundreds" to get into a game is a ridiculous and asinine statement, a bald-faced lie by a whiner pushing an agenda.
 

How many people just want to literally get in, don't pay anything to get down to the stadium or park, and don't buy a single thing the entire time while there?

Quite dishonest to pretend you can enjoy going to a Gopher home game for only $30.

If you're going to go to the (significant) hassle of going to the game in person, you certainly should spend more than that to enjoy yourself! And it can be quite enjoyable!

Pay $10 to park at the Fairgrounds, free, good shuttle service included, bring a bunch of your own drinks and food for the lot before/after. That's probably the cheapest you can do, if you can manage to hold off buying anything while in the stadium.
 


dpodoll68 said:
Well yeah, if you want to guarantee your seat of choice for every game, it's going to cost a lot more than that - but that isn't what I said. In fact, it's even less than what I said in the previous post, as I just looked it up and it's less than $200 for the Gopher Pass, or ~$28.50 per game for guaranteed access to each and every game.

At any rate, saying it "costs you in the hundreds" to get into a game is a ridiculous and asinine statement, a bald-faced lie by a whiner pushing an agenda.
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I doubt the Athletic Dept is spending time and resources hitting up Gopher Passers for donations other than an email blast to anyone with Gopher points, so I don't really see how that pertains to this discussion.

Considering I am footing the bill for a +1, personally it is costing me easily "hundreds" every single Gopher home game. Every one.

It's not whining at all. No agenda. It just is what the cost is. 2 tickets, at 5 Yd line, w/ chairback, mandatory scholarship donation, parking, 2 beers, brat, maybe popcorn. Nothing frivolous or gluttonous about it. $250-$300 easy.

So from that standpoint, I totally get what WoodburyTim is saying. 100% Valid.

Any season ticket holder (or household), with at least 2 chairback seats is spending "hundreds" every Gopher Saturday (or Thursday night opener). That is a fact, unless they can walk/bike to the stadium and only hit up the water fountain.
 
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Holy Man said:
So this guy is a head hunter?;)

Eighth grade soccer, and basketball, specializing in free throws. Maybe they need that?
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That's more coaching experience than Whalen had, and Coyle hired her. Maybe you've got a chance.
 

Ope3 said:
I doubt the Athletic Dept is spending time and resources hitting up Gopher Passers for donations other than an email blast to anyone with Gopher points, so I don't really see how that pertains to this discussion.

Considering I am footing the bill for a +1, personally it is costing me easily "hundreds" every single Gopher home game. Every one.

It's not whining at all. No agenda. It just is what the cost is. 2 tickets, at 5 Yd line, w/ chairback, mandatory scholarship donation, parking, 2 beers, brat, maybe popcorn. Nothing frivolous or gluttonous about it. $250-$300 easy.

So from that standpoint, I totally get what WoodburyTim is saying. 100% Valid.

Any season ticket holder (or household), with at least 2 chairback seats is spending "hundreds" every Gopher Saturday (or Thursday night opener). That is a fact, unless they can walk/bike to the stadium and only hit up the water fountain.
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I mean, come on. We're factoring in travel costs now? I didn't realize the cost of gas, tires, and oil changes went to the Gopher athletic department. Thanks for enlightening me.

I wish you would just give in (as you are both wrong), but what you're saying is simply not factual. He specifically said "charge hundreds to get in" - i.e., what you pay to walk through the door. Your costs to get there, the food/beverage you buy, etc. are irrelevant to that statement. Your cost ≠ the revenue the athletic department receives when you attend the game. Unless you wish to break the law and sneak in, your only mandatory cost is the price of the ticket - which, again, is what he referenced.

And, putting that aside, the actual "getting in" cost, which again is what he said, is simply not "hundreds" per game unless you're buying outdoor club seats or suites. A chairback seat starts at $430 and up - i.e., $61.43 per game. That is a chairback, and a guaranteed spot in your seat of choice for every game. My South Dakota math tells me that's not "hundreds."

And, putting all THAT aside, what kind of hubris and self-importance does it take to believe that one is above getting a phone call or email to ask for money? I'm sure we all get emails, phone calls, letters, postcards, on a daily basis from scores of nonprofits, but those sons-of-bitches at the University of Minnesota are brazen enough to be one of them? How dare they! The nerve!
 

dpodoll68 said:
I mean, come on. We're factoring in travel costs now? I didn't realize the cost of gas, tires, and oil changes went to the Gopher athletic department. Thanks for enlightening me.
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Absolutely nowhere did I mention in "cost of gas, tires, and oil changes went to the Gopher athletic department." You inferred incorrectly. I was referencing the cost of PARKING, which I thought was obvious, and about the only way to avoid any cost is to walk or take a bike. That revenue ($10-$50 or more) goes to the University (albeit not necessarily the Athletic Dept).

dpodoll68 said:
I wish you would just give in (as you are both wrong), but what you're saying is simply not factual. He specifically said "charge hundreds to get in" - i.e., what you pay to walk through the door. Your costs to get there, the food/beverage you buy, etc. are irrelevant to that statement. Your cost ≠ the revenue the athletic department receives when you attend the game. Unless you wish to break the law and sneak in, your only mandatory cost is the price of the ticket - which, again, is what he referenced.

And, putting that aside, the actual "getting in" cost, which again is what he said, is simply not "hundreds" per game unless you're buying outdoor club seats or suites. A chairback seat starts at $430 and up - i.e., $61.43 per game. That is a chairback, and a guaranteed spot in your seat of choice for every game. My South Dakota math tells me that's not "hundreds."
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Does the $430 include a mandatory scholarship donation? I thought my seats lower level were the cheapest ($660 including donation) but was not aware there was a cheaper option. My bad there. Upper deck corner inside with chairbacks still?

Still at $61.43 X 2 (since most don't go alone) puts the price with parking over $135-$150 without buying as much as a peanut.

dpodoll68 said:
And, putting all THAT aside, what kind of hubris and self-importance does it take to believe that one is above getting a phone call or email to ask for money? I'm sure we all get emails, phone calls, letters, postcards, on a daily basis from scores of nonprofits, but those sons-of-bitches at the University of Minnesota are brazen enough to be one of them? How dare they! The nerve!
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Who said anything about hubris to avoid such a pitch for donations (or additional tickets for football/other sports)? It's just something one doesn't have to put up with for professional sports.

Also it's not just a phone call (singular) or email. I get dozens (literally) sales pitches combined annually via text, VM, email, snail mail and every time I order anything on GopherSports.com. I don't blame them for trying.

I would be seriously questioning it if they didn't try to reach out to me.

I bought tickets to 3 hockey games this past season. In addition to blast emails, the Athletic Dept has made 6 personal attempts to get me to buy a Full Season. They know I'm a good lead. It's not going to happen, I just don't want to invest the time into a full hockey season. However, I may buy more than 3 or a partial package next season if they are available. They have my number.
 
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Ope3 said:
Absolutely nowhere did I mention in "cost of gas, tires, and oil changes went to the Gopher athletic department." You inferred incorrectly. I was referencing the cost of PARKING, which I thought was obvious, and about the only way to avoid any cost is to walk or take a bike. That revenue ($10-$50 or more) goes to the University (albeit not necessarily the Athletic Dept).


Does the $430 include a mandatory scholarship donation? I thought my seats lower level were the cheapest ($660 including donation) but was not aware there was a cheaper option. My bad there. Upper deck corner inside with chairbacks still?

Still at $61.43 X 2 (since most don't go alone) puts the price with parking over $135-$150 without buying as much as a peanut.


Who said anything about hubris to avoid such a pitch for donations (or additional tickets for football/other sports)? It's just something one doesn't have to put up with for professional sports.

Also it's not just a phone call (singular) or email. I get dozens (literally) sales pitches combined annually via text, VM, email, snail mail and every time I order anything on GopherSports.com. I don't blame them for trying.

I would be seriously questioning it if they didn't try to reach out to me.

I bought tickets to 3 hockey games this past season. In addition to blast emails, the Athletic Dept has made 6 personal attempts to get me to buy a Full Season. They know I'm a good lead. It's not going to happen, I just don't want to invest the time into a full hockey season. However, I may buy more than 3 or a partial package next season if they are available. They have my number.
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Look- you are 100% right. The reality is that middle of the road chairback seats (lower corners and upper deck) run $890 each with the mandatory donation. You get perhaps 18 games +/-

Some of the games are garbage and you can't give your tickets to those games away- nobody wants them. So you are getting about 16 games that are decent for $1780 for the pair. That's $111.00 + $10 parking and you are in for about $121/game.

When the product is good it is the best deal in town. When the product is bad which it has been for the better part of 20 years- they are fleecing us.
 

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