Frustrated with the Perk Selection System — Is It Time for a Lottery Option?

[Mr. 131]

I’ve been a football season ticket holder for 4 years, donate to Dinkytown Athletes, follow the team obsessively — and yet every year, I get shut out of meaningful perks like tunnel team or on-field access. I’m in third group that makes selections, which basically means I get to pick between a volleyball game or a scented candle.

I reached out to the ticket office to see if there was any way to get something for one of the bigger games. Got a polite “no” and a reminder that I’m ranked 10,000+ in the system. Cool.

Here’s my point: if regular fans like me rarely have a shot at these premium experiences, why not reserve a few for a random drawing? Keep the bulk for high donors — no argument there — but throw in a few lottery spots so mid-tier fans have some hope. I shouldn't need a suite named after me to feel like I have a realistic chance.

Would love to hear others’ experiences with the system. Have you ever actually gotten a good football perk? How long did it take you?

Will I be on dialysis by the time I'm in the chosen few?

 

[Mr. 131]

Edit- not sure why the question isn't in a font that's contrasting against the maroon.

"Should Gopher Athletics throw regular fans a bone with a perk lottery?"

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

I think that's a good idea.

Throw some lottery type options.

The number of perks has dropped over time and IMO the U makes a HUGE mistake in advertising all the perks to everyone if only to ... show most of the people what they can't have. That's bad, doesn't make people feel good.

It's not like at some store where "you can buy the upgraded version for $50" and you can just get it, the U has only so many of the better options and most will never get it ... no matter what anyone does.

 

[upnorthkid]

i'm ranked in the 6000s and ended up with tunnel access for MSU (in addition to a hockey perk).

Personally I think the perks are overall pretty meh and that there are too many selections for those at the top. Would rather they really try push the envelope to make more exclusive offerings but restrict number of selections (because we know top donors need to get game of their choice, meeting with Coyle, luxury seats, and 3 more things every single year). Lottery system is interesting, but what incentive is there to the U? They're only after pushing you to donate to a higher tier and unless they also reserved something "special" for those tiers, it ends up irrelevant.

I don't think they should send out all the stuff as Slab alludes to. It's after the fact and you can't change your score, why show me all the shit I could do but won't get to as it's gone every year (not that I'd necessarily want those things)? I get it they're trying to show all the options they offer and are trying for fan engagement, but really its for donors and unless youre saying someone can guarantee something, it's not going to make 99.9% of people donate more

 

[Mr. 131]

The number of perks has dropped over time and IMO the U makes a HUGE mistake in advertising all the perks to everyone if only to ... show most of the people what they can't have. That's bad, doesn't make people feel good.

It's not like at some store where "you can buy the upgraded version for $50" and you can just get it, the U has only so many of the better options and most will never get it ...

Exactly! That's incredibly on point for how I'm feeling.
Legit was ready to make my selections the moment I could....and yep, scented candle.

 

[Swaggerson]

I’ve been a football season ticket holder for 4 years, donate to Dinkytown Athletes, follow the team obsessively — and yet every year, I get shut out of meaningful perks like tunnel team or on-field access. I’m in third group that makes selections, which basically means I get to pick between a volleyball game or a scented candle.

I reached out to the ticket office to see if there was any way to get something for one of the bigger games. Got a polite “no” and a reminder that I’m ranked 10,000+ in the system. Cool.

Here’s my point: if regular fans like me rarely have a shot at these premium experiences, why not reserve a few for a random drawing? Keep the bulk for high donors — no argument there — but throw in a few lottery spots so mid-tier fans have some hope. I shouldn't need a suite named after me to feel like I have a realistic chance.

Would love to hear others’ experiences with the system. Have you ever actually gotten a good football perk? How long did it take you?

Will I be on dialysis by the time I'm in the chosen few?

Mixed feelings on this. Approaching 70 years of FB tix in the family and 30 years of BB tix. For the first 55 years of FB…received no loyalty benefits. Now I am ranked in the 900s. Still get shut out of some things but had my fill of tunnel teams and on field passes. Yet, I still get to select them most years. Seems like they could make some benefits “one and done” so that more folks can use them. I am also a fan of the lottery system and would happily get 1 less perk (2 rather than 3) to ensure others (hopefully kids) get a chance.

Great topic.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Mixed feelings on this. Approaching 70 years of FB tix in the family and 30 years of BB tix. For the first 55 years of FB…received no loyalty benefits. Now I am ranked in the 900s. Still get shut out of some things but had my fill of tunnel teams and on field passes. Yet, I still get to select them most years. Seems like they could make some benefits “one and done” so that more folks can use them. I am also a fan of the lottery system and would happily get 1 less perk (2 rather than 3) to ensure others (hopefully kids) get a chance.

Great topic.

 

[corcorangopher]

There have been a number of years where that scented candle was useful to cover up the stink of the team, the geezo-peezo, or hot chili.

 

[MirandaB]

Giving the first tier so many selections eats up all the good options. 1-2 choices is enough when you get to pick from all the good stuff. Maybe host a separate reception for the big wigs if they need to feel rewarded. Are they really buying/contributing so they get an upgrade or two?

It'd take some coordinating, but I'd be happy with a t shirt that works for the various gold out/maroon out/stripe days.

 

[Mr. 131]

Mixed feelings on this. Approaching 70 years of FB tix in the family and 30 years of BB tix. For the first 55 years of FB…received no loyalty benefits. Now I am ranked in the 900s. Still get shut out of some things but had my fill of tunnel teams and on field passes. Yet, I still get to select them most years. Seems like they could make some benefits “one and done” so that more folks can use them. I am also a fan of the lottery system and would happily get 1 less perk (2 rather than 3) to ensure others (hopefully kids) get a chance.

Great topic.

Thanks so much for the insight my friend! It's good context for me.
Also - what an awesome thing to be loyal for this many years. Really grateful for fans like you that stuck through thick and thin in the bare years.

 

[jrb27]

get the christmas cookie scent its awesome

 

[matt]

Are they really buying/contributing so they get an upgrade or two?

Are the little fish really buying/contributing so they get an upgrade or two? I think there is space for the department to improve the rewards for the little fish, but I am very wary of doing so at the expense of people who have given tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars to the program over the years. They rightfully deserve the best experience the department can give them within reason.

Also, I am curious how much of a problem this actually is if people in the 6000s have the opportunity for the tunnel experience for conference games.

 

[Schnauzer]

In my opinion, the best perk situation within my history as a season ticket holder was getting a little coupon within my ticket packet to redeem at the first game for a free long sleeve tshirt. I liked that. It wasn't a big deal but I enjoyed getting that tshirt every year.

The current system just irritates me more and more to the point I never even respond to it anymore. Actually, I'm not sure if it even reaches me anymore. I don't recall seeing the opportunity the last couple seasons. When it was first introduced, I pounced on the options that looked to be of value to me and waited for my turn - which always amazed me how low on the totem pole I was considering how long I had been a season ticket holder. It only got worse when it eventually became my turn to pick. I got left overs like a calendar, magazine, etc. Mostly stuff that was worthless to me. I did do a tunnel opportunity at one point and arranged for my daughter to go to a dance team practice a couple times and that was okay. Frustrating. I'd gladly take that tshirt again in favor of the current system, any day.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

In my opinion, the best perk situation within my history as a season ticket holder was getting a little coupon within my ticket packet to redeem at the first game for a free long sleeve tshirt. I liked that. It wasn't a big deal but I enjoyed getting that tshirt every year.

The current system just irritates me more and more to the point I never even respond to it anymore. Actually, I'm not sure if it even reaches me anymore. I don't recall seeing the opportunity the last couple seasons. When it was first introduced, I pounced on the options that looked to be of value to me and waited for my turn - which always amazed me how low on the totem pole I was considering how long I had been a season ticket holder. It only got worse when it eventually became my turn to pick. I got left overs like a calendar, magazine, etc. Mostly stuff that was worthless to me. I did do a tunnel opportunity at one point and arranged for my daughter to go to a dance team practice a couple times and that was okay. Frustrating. I'd gladly take that tshirt again in favor of the current system, any day.

It's funny how much good "little things" can do.

I miss the homecoming pins. I hear they're still around sometimes, maybe just the club level? But I've not seen them.

People used to cover themselves in those pins, they were great.