CR Gazette: ISU AD facing potential $147M deficit by 2031 with direct to player payments

[AuH2O]

Title ix doesn't apply to employees

It absolutely does. It's just that currently there aren't jobs or classes of employees at a university that essentially eliminate a demographic group.

We don't know how a court is going to rule on that, but if ISU put out an ad to hire 90 employees that have requirements that essentially eliminate women from getting the job, it's quite possible there would be Title IX problems. It's also possible that a court might throw it out. We don't really know. But Title IX is broad legislation that impacts government employers, and sports scholarships and financial benefits happen to fall under that.

 

[StPaulCyclone]

This is sort of the broader point. There are just not enough others who are willing to support at a much higher of a level to come up with $20 million extra. We can't just raise fees to get out of this mess.

That’s the challenge, our ticket prices may be higher than some others, but it is trying to make up for fewer donors and fewer donations than most others. The few continue to be asked to support the many. The few have to be reaching a breaking point. I don’t blame the AD, what choice do they have. I have come to accept that nothing will grow this base, despite all-time AD success and yet another existential threat to the AD/University (Realignment x3 and now current situation).

 

[Cyched]

That’s the challenge, our ticket prices may be higher than some others, but it is trying to make up for fewer donors and fewer donations than most others. The few continue to be asked to support the many. The few have to be reaching a breaking point. I don’t blame the AD, what choice do they have. I have come to accept that nothing will grow this base, despite all-time AD success and yet another existential threat to the AD/University (Realignment x3 and now current situation).

But what are the AD’s ideas to try to grow that pie rather than continuing to go back to the well?

My parents have had season tickets since the 80s, but even they are starting to hesitate with the tickets, parking and donations continuing to go up, up, and up.

I thought I’ve read on here We Will has been able to reach a wider, younger base than CC? And overall they do a good job of giving donors something in return, rather than just “thanks for helping pay the players.” When the collective gets absorbed into the AD they’ll need to continue to provide those perks, if not expand them.

 

[FarmerCy1]

That’s the challenge, our ticket prices may be higher than some others, but it is trying to make up for fewer donors and fewer donations than most others. The few continue to be asked to support the many. The few have to be reaching a breaking point. I don’t blame the AD, what choice do they have. I have come to accept that nothing will grow this base, despite all-time AD success and yet another existential threat to the AD/University (Realignment x3 and now current situation).

It’s hard to make a larger donation when most of your alumni are in ag with sub $10 beans and sub $5 corn.

I will also say, that the AD hasn’t done much to encourage me to give more either- I’m a gold level CC member, and have gotten more benefits out of donating to We Will than I have ever gotten from the AD. The AD needs to at least try to reach out to the younger, smaller dollar donors and try to encourage more donations rather than just going to the Sukup well every time.

 

[StPaulCyclone]

It’s hard to make a larger donation when most of your alumni are in ag with sub $10 beans and sub $5 corn.

I will also say, that the AD hasn’t done much to encourage me to give more either- I’m a gold level CC member, and have gotten more benefits out of donating to We Will than I have ever gotten from the AD. The AD needs to at least try to reach out to the younger, smaller dollar donors and try to encourage more donations rather than just going to the Sukup well every time.

You are doing your part, you are one of the few. It’s going to take help from the many.

 

[JEFF420]

It’s hard to make a larger donation when most of your alumni are in ag with sub $10 beans and sub $5 corn.

I will also say, that the AD hasn’t done much to encourage me to give more either- I’m a gold level CC member, and have gotten more benefits out of donating to We Will than I have ever gotten from the AD. The AD needs to at least try to reach out to the younger, smaller dollar donors and try to encourage more donations rather than just going to the Sukup well every time.

I have no doubt it’s time for a new AD. JP did great. Time for new blood and ideas.

 

[StPaulCyclone]

But what are the AD’s ideas to try to grow that pie rather than continuing to go back to the well?

My parents have had season tickets since the 80s, but even they are starting to hesitate with the tickets, parking and donations continuing to go up, up, and up.

I thought I’ve read on here We Will has been able to reach a wider, younger base than CC? And overall they do a good job of giving donors something in return, rather than just “thanks for helping pay the players.” When the collective gets absorbed into the AD they’ll need to continue to provide those perks, if not expand them.

exactly, we need to grow the pie and I have given up hope. 11 win FB season and tickets sales are down. Lots of factors there but I don’t know what it will take to grow the donor base. WeWill has 6000 donors now, same as….the Cyclones Club which has plateaued. The wins are there, the tailgating is elite, the in-game experience is better than ever, our AD continues to be under attack by outside forces. The perks for me is a competitive AD and protecting ISU as a whole, but I get that I am the exception.

 

[2speedy1]

With those donations you get 12 tickets and multiple premium parking passes for football? Plus 8 premium MBB tickets and multiple parking too?

Ok and... you do at other places for that too, and most of the time less than what ISU is.

You act like the donation just comes with free tickets. No, you have to pay for the tickets that are multiple times more expensive. 12 tickets at ISU costs $5280 more at ISU than at OKst just for the tickets. 12 tickets at the highest none donor level at OKst is $1175 per ticket. So the required donor level for those tickets is, $14,100, which is almost $4K lower for the same donor level at ISU.

12 tickets 50 yard line at ISU:
$18,000 required donation
ticket $660 each
12 x $660 = $7920
$7920 + $18000 = $25,920

12 tickets 50yrd highest level at OKst:
required donation $1175 per ticket
Ticket $200 each
12 x 1175 = $14,100
12 x 200 = $2,400
$14,100 + $2,400 = $16,500

Every way you look at it, top to bottom ISU is far more expensive. Again, do some research and some simple math and you will see.

For those that say but you can get BB tix too, first that would still leave you almost $10k to purchase BB tickets before even covering the FB ticket cost at ISU. And those BB tickets at ISU are also not free so it would take even more just to even how expensive they are. Without looking I would guess OSUs high end BB tickets are cheaper than our $710 each tickets at that level, so it would just cause more of a gap in price.

And everyone says what about BB you can get them too, great, not everyone can go to all the BB games, and not everyone can afford those tickets after paying so much for FB tickets.

I get it, we are full of excuses, ISU was bad so we need to pay more, is really a hilarious take though.

 

[Cyched]

exactly, we need to grow the pie and I have given up hope. 11 win FB season and tickets sales are down. Lots of factors there but I don’t know what it will take to grow the donor base. WeWill has 6000 donors now, same as….the Cyclones Club which has plateaued. The wins are there, the tailgating is elite, the in-game experience is better than ever, our AD continues to be under attack by outside forces. The perks for me is a competitive AD and protecting ISU as a whole, but I get that I am the exception.

Could be a financial decision for all you know. Lecturing people on who’s a better fan isn’t exactly an effective sales pitch.

 

[StPaulCyclone]

Could be a financial decision for all you know. Lecturing people on who’s a better fan isn’t exactly an effective sales pitch.

Of course it is the main consideration. I’m not lecturing anyone, what good would that do. We have multiple posts in here about how expensive our tickets are. I’m simply stating that is because of the small donor base that has plateaued. The AD isn’t trying to gouge people. They simply don’t know how to grow the base and I don’t see a way either. What do you think would be an effective way to grow the base?

 

[CyCity]

Ok and... you do at other places for that too, and most of the time less than what ISU is.

You act like the donation just comes with free tickets. No, you have to pay for the tickets that are multiple times more expensive. 12 tickets at ISU costs $5280 more at ISU than at OKst just for the tickets. 12 tickets at the highest none donor level at OKst is $1175 per ticket. So the required donor level for those tickets is, $14,100, which is almost $4K lower for the same donor level at ISU.

12 tickets 50 yard line at ISU:
$18,000 required donation
ticket $660 each
12 x $660 = $7920
$7920 + $18000 = $25,920

12 tickets 50yrd highest level at OKst:
required donation $1175 per ticket
Ticket $200 each
12 x 1175 = $14,100
12 x 200 = $2,400
$14,100 + $2,400 = $16,500

Every way you look at it, top to bottom ISU is far more expensive. Again, do some research and some simple math and you will see.

For those that say but you can get BB tix too, first that would still leave you almost $10k to purchase BB tickets before even covering the FB ticket cost at ISU. And those BB tickets at ISU are also not free so it would take even more just to even how expensive they are. Without looking I would guess OSUs high end BB tickets are cheaper than our $710 each tickets at that level, so it would just cause more of a gap in price.

And everyone says what about BB you can get them too, great, not everyone can go to all the BB games, and not everyone can afford those tickets after paying so much for FB tickets.

I get it, we are full of excuses, ISU was bad so we need to pay more, is really a hilarious take though.

If you think you can get 50 yard line tickets for $200 at Oklahoma State I got a bridge to sell you haha. For example section 106 and 107 requires $1,500 to their donor club PER SEAT! 135 and 136 are $1,000 per seat as well. I’m trying to be nice here but you keep telling me to do research while you’re providing false information.

Kind of crazy Oklahoma State only gives you one parking pass for a $20,000 donation. You still only get one for $100,000 actually.

 

[Cyched]

Of course it is the main consideration. I’m not lecturing anyone, what good would that do. We have multiple posts in here about how expensive our tickets are. I’m simply stating that is because of the small donor base that has plateaued. The AD isn’t trying to gouge people. They simply don’t know how to grow the base and I don’t see a way either. What do you think would be an effective way to grow the base?

Increased outreach would be a start. Plenty of people in this thread have noted it.

Build off of WWC’s good work and get some ideas from Brent and company about how to give people something in return; ticket and parking priority is cool, but that doesn’t do anything for out of state alums that might be open to giving.

Start a student level for CC. Even if it’s 5 bucks a year, plant that seed now.

 

[2speedy1]

If you think you can get 50 yard line tickets for $200 at Oklahoma State I got a bridge to sell you haha. For example section 106 and 107 requires $1,500 to their donor club PER SEAT! 135 and 136 are $1,000 per seat as well. I’m trying to be nice here but you keep telling me to do research while you’re providing false information.

Kind of crazy Oklahoma State only gives you one parking pass for a $20,000 donation. You still only get one for $100,000 actually.

Dude you really need to read what I posted.
I said their 50 yard tickets are $200 each plus a required donation of 1175 per seat. and I litterally broke the math down. I get it reading is hard, math is even harder. its still far cheaper than ISU.

I litterally went to OSU site and got the numbers.

edit: I do see on this where one side has a higher donor level for a few small sections, but the other side still is $1175 for 50 yrd line, and when I actually clicked through to buy said seats it showed me only 1175 donation requried... I may have not seen it.
That being said even at that rate its cheaper than ISU, and you litterally can get 50yrd line tickets for what I posted on the other side.

And to be fair those are box seats at that price, which I literally posted non club/suit seats.

Maybe you want to post some actual proof and math that maths out besides but you get the option to buy more at ISU for higher prices, as being some kind of weird perk?

 

[CyCity]

Dude you really need to read what I posted.
I said their 50 yard tickets are $200 each plus a required donation of 1175 per seat. and I litterally broke the math down. I get it reading is hard, math is even harder. its still far cheaper than ISU.

I litterally went to OSU site and got the numbers.

Well it’s a $1500 donation per seat not $1175 to be equivalent to where I sit at JTS. Actually I’m probably in section 4 or 5 which is even more.

Plus ignoring MBB is dumb. There’s people that just donate the $18k for hoops to get lowers. Those are very valuable seats.

 

[2speedy1]

Well it’s a $1500 donation per seat not $1175 to be equivalent to where I sit at JTS. Actually I’m probably in section 4 or 5 which is even more.

Plus ignoring MBB is dumb. There’s people that just donate the $18k for hoops to get lowers. Those are very valuable seats.

See my edit: not sure where you are getting your info.
But great You get BB. This is about FB.
As I said do some math, at other schools, for the number of tickets you want, for whatever sports, bring some receipts that it is so much cheaper at ISU and I will admit my info is wrong.

 

[CyCity]

See my edit: not sure where you are getting your info.
But great You get BB. This is about FB.
As I said do some math, at other schools, for the number of tickets you want, for whatever sports, bring some receipts that it is so much cheaper at ISU and I will admit my info is wrong.

You’re comparing apples to oranges. If you’re looking for football only I’m sure Iowa State is more expensive than its peers.

Iowa State is set up to cater to those who support both sports and they have different perks (8 lowers for hoops, multiple parking for both football and basketball, Johnnys, etc.) If you’re donating $18k and aren’t taking advantage of the access you get with both major sports that’s your choice I guess.

 

[FarmerCy1]

Increased outreach would be a start. Plenty of people in this thread have noted it.

Build off of WWC’s good work and get some ideas from Brent and company about how to give people something in return; ticket and parking priority is cool, but that doesn’t do anything for out of state alums that might be open to giving.

Start a student level for CC. Even if it’s 5 bucks a year, plant that seed now.

This. I’ve heard stories where senior leadership at the AD went to Van Diest’s business in Webster City, and the leadership didn’t have the time of day to talk to and encourage smaller level donors that work there to give more- they spent all of their time schmoozing Bob and Jake. Which I understand, but like you said- the AD does nothing as far as outreach. Create a mid tier Johnny’s for mid tier donors; create a 2nd Cy’s House of Trivia to open up to more participants, do anything. Parking and tickets are nice, but even as an in state donor it would be nice to have more engagement/perks.

 

[2speedy1]

You’re comparing apples to oranges. If you’re looking for football only I’m sure Iowa State is more expensive than its peers.

Iowa State is set up to cater to those who support both sports and they have different perks (8 lowers for hoops, multiple parking for both football and basketball, Johnnys, etc.) If you’re donating $18k and aren’t taking advantage of the access you get with both major sports that’s your choice I guess.

Again do some math.

Also this is not just about the highest level donors, its accross the board.

When you do the math even the high rollers are getting as much or more for less at other places.

That is the point, yet you keep coming back trying to justify the high price, with excuses, and in reality wrong info.

 

[CyCity]

Again do some math.

Also this is not just about the highest level donors, its accross the board.

When you do the math even the high rollers are getting as much or more for less at other places.

That is the point, yet you keep coming back trying to justify the high price, with excuses, and in reality wrong info.

You’re comparing apples to oranges. That’s all I’m trying to get through to you here. Feel free to PM me I don’t want to keep going back and forth on here.

 

[StPaulCyclone]

Increased outreach would be a start. Plenty of people in this thread have noted it.

Build off of WWC’s good work and get some ideas from Brent and company about how to give people something in return; ticket and parking priority is cool, but that doesn’t do anything for out of state alums that might be open to giving.

Start a student level for CC. Even if it’s 5 bucks a year, plant that seed now.

I wonder if the AD has access to alumni contact from the AA or ISU Foundation. Also, I wonder how complete that information is if Alumni aren't engaging with ISU. Regardless, they should be leveraging that it they aren't today. The AD and individual programs have great social media presence(s), so that is helpful.

I think that the AD will benefit from bringing WWC in-house, assuming it is still happening. Regardless, alignment of CC, WWC and GIC are essential, not to mention the Wrestling Collective. These organizations do put on events for members, as well as non-members: Tailgate Tours, Trivia Nights, Golf Events, etc.. Is there something more to draw in more non-donors/members?

I am an out of state alum and get not being able to attend local events in Ames/Iowa. Perhaps the orgs mentioned above need to be working more with Local AA groups across the nation. Is there a low/no cost perk that can be given to encourage new members.

The Foundation literally starts recruitment at graduation. I get that some of these orgs compete for $$, but the AD could probably stand to be more aggressive. I joined at the lowest CC level when I graduated. Perhaps we need an even lower entry point. Like most things, it has to be easier to keep ISU membership than grow it. We really need to capitalize on the TJ/CMC area of graduates and fans.

I am just riffing but would love to be a part of a diverse focus group or CC member advisory group. I would like to better understand the inner workings, what has worked, what hasn't and be a part of ideation and execution of a new era of engagement by the AD.