Donations to ISU Athletic Dept.

[CardinalAndGold]

Hi guys. I'd really like to see the bowling of the endzone in JTS soon, as all of us would. I don't have much to offer, but is there a particular donation fund for this purpose? I'd only want to give this extra amount if I knew it was going to be used to expand the stadium. Thanks and Go ISU.

 

[fccy]

I do not think so at this point.

You could email JP and ask.

 

[theshadow]

There is no reason to have a public donation fund until at least one MAJOR (as in eight figures) donor is secured.

 

[SCNCY]

I am interested as to where this project stands as well. If you do send an e-mail could you please share it. Thanks.

 

[Rhoadhoused]

There is no reason to have a public donation fund until at least one MAJOR (as in eight figures) donor is secured.

awesome. I am willing to contribute $10.000000

can we get this started?

 

[ISUclones33]

Its not even really being considered at this point, Poor attendance in 2009's final two contests, specifically against Oklahoma State, a ranked opponent on a beautiful Saturday afternoon when a win would have made us bowl eligible, it really sends a strong message about our ability (and need) to sell enough tickets to support bowling in the end zone. Wish that was not the case but until we can demonstrate that we can sell the number of tickets it takes to do something like that, than we will have to make do with what we have. We simply can't even come close to putting a business plan together to support the annual debt service on that project with that kind of attendance.

 

[Rhoadhoused]

Its not even really being considered at this point, Poor attendance in 2009's final two contests, specifically against Oklahoma State, a ranked opponent on a beautiful Saturday afternoon when a win would have made us bowl eligible, it really sends a strong message about our ability (and need) to sell enough tickets to support bowling in the end zone. Wish that was not the case but until we can demonstrate that we can sell the number of tickets it takes to do something like that, than we will have to make do with what we have. We simply can't even come close to putting a business plan together to support the annual debt service on that project with that kind of attendance.

Isnt it more about making the hillsides a more comfortable option than sitting on the ground and making the stadium more closed in all the way around? I dont think anybody wants to drastically increase the amount of people the Jack Trice can hold, its more that more people will come to watch a game if they are provided, oh idk, a seat.....

 

[cyclonedave25]

Its not even really being considered at this point, Poor attendance in 2009's final two contests, specifically against Oklahoma State, a ranked opponent on a beautiful Saturday afternoon when a win would have made us bowl eligible, it really sends a strong message about our ability (and need) to sell enough tickets to support bowling in the end zone. Wish that was not the case but until we can demonstrate that we can sell the number of tickets it takes to do something like that, than we will have to make do with what we have. We simply can't even come close to putting a business plan together to support the annual debt service on that project with that kind of attendance.

If my memory serves me correct, bowling in the south endzone isn't going to increase seating capacity very much, considering we are basically just taking away the hillsides and moving those people to the endzone.
This renovation doesn't have anything to do with increasing seating capacity at JT, but rather making JT stadium an actual "stadium". Right now, its just a glorified high school stadium. We need an actual Big 12 stadium to sell to recruits and stay up to date with facilities.

 

[ISUclones33]

I agree with you 100% that we "need" a big 12 stadium, However, my previous points are just echos of high ups in our athletic department, that is the way it is viewed from within.

Winning a Bowl Game certainly will help the cause, but until we can come up with a feasible debt service to construct such a project, and butts in the seats in November, its just not going to happen.

Of course, if someone writes a $60,000,000 check to Iowa State University Athletic Department, and puts South Endzone Renovations in the memo line, Jamie Pollard wont worry about butts in the seats.
Until that happens, butts in the seats (or lack thereof) is whats going to fund the debt service to build that endzone.

 

[CYCLNST8]

Got my first time homebuyer tax credit early this morning. $60 mil between 45,000 fans is only $1,333.34 I'll step up.

 

[Ace000087]

Got my first time homebuyer tax credit early this morning. $60 mil between 45,000 fans is only $1,333.34 I'll step up.

I think Pollard could start a "grass roots" (literally) type system to get this started. I don't think I would donate $1,300, but I would chip in a few Benjamins. I would also assume that there would be some other ISU fans that are well off that would even donate more.

JP, are you listening? :smile:

 

[Ace000087]

Also, I would rather donate to the Jack Trice Stadium Fund, than ISU Alumni. At least I know my money is going towards something tangible.

 

[SCNCY]

I don't think the actual butt's in seat is holding the AD back from making this happen. I think since the economy is down and donations are hard to come by, the AD is not making it a priority right now to make this happen. Also, just because there are not many people at these games does not mean that those seats have not been sold. The AD, while having people attain games is important, they probably care more about just selling the seats.

 

[TheHelgo]

I think Pollard could start a "grass roots" (literally) type system to get this started. I don't think I would donate $1,300, but I would chip in a few Benjamins. I would also assume that there would be some other ISU fans that are well off that would even donate more.

JP, are you listening? :smile:

you know, i agree with this and wonder why it can't be done. ISU in generaly has the $800M fund-raising project going on right now and have secured almost all of it. Why can't the athletic department embark on a similar project with a goal of $50M or so for just the south endzone? Contact everyone in the Cyclone Club to see if they could/would donate an additional $X.00 for the project and also advertise the drive at games, etc. I remember someone on here a while back was saying that JP was sending letters to higher-level donors doing this. Apparently, they didn't get the job done, but I'm sure JP secured some funds for this. Why not open it up to mid-level and lower-level donors to see what we can get?

 

[ISUclones33]

I don't think the actual butt's in seat is holding the AD back from making this happen. I think since the economy is down and donations are hard to come by, the AD is not making it a priority right now to make this happen. Also, just because there are not many people at these games does not mean that those seats have not been sold. The AD, while having people attain games is important, they probably care more about just selling the seats.

Essentially this is what I intended to portray when I said "butts in seats" Actual sales obviously are what would contribute. Also you're correct with the economy, Its just not feasible right now.

I want this just as much as the next guy, but until we get a substantial chunk of change for it, or a B12 championship. Its going to be later rather than sooner. That's just the truth.


Also, as far as setting aside a donation fund specifically for the South Endzone project, I think with a moderate amount of success this season, JP would feel more comfortable going out on a limb like that.

 

[Cyclonestate78]

Isnt it more about making the hillsides a more comfortable option than sitting on the ground and making the stadium more closed in all the way around? I dont think anybody wants to drastically increase the amount of people the Jack Trice can hold, its more that more people will come to watch a game if they are provided, oh idk, a seat.....

This... We will still have the hillsides on the north end of the stadium for cheap hillside tickets for say $10 or even $5 while you could easily get $15 to $20 a ticket for actual seats in the enclosed south end zone. It would increase capacity more then the open hillsides would and would make for better viewing for the fans. ISU has no problem selling out the seats on the sides, the season tickets for the endzone section always sell out quickly because you get a bargain on them. There is no telling how many more people would attend ISU games with a more affordable option for an actual seat in the stadium.

 

[cyatheart]

One possibility, maybe JP doesn't want to open up a fund for it becuase it might cannibalize current donations to the NCC. Just an example, lot of people might give $1000 bucks to NCC now, if you open up a fund just for the endzone, some people might only give $500 to NCC and $500 to the end zone. Then you got all the endzone money sitting around earning nothing until we get enough. Not a good thing.

 

[BryceC]

What I would really like to see is CF and other Cyclone related groups try and organize to encourage people to donate. For example, my wife and I donate 250 bucks a year. Not a lot, and it's all the way up to 500 to get to the next level. Not much point for me personally to get to 300, but I wouldn't mind donating 300. I'd like to see CF try and get people on here to donate in the name of CF ABOVE their current donation. Then Jaime might not hate us so much. :wink:.

 

[ISC]

I for one do not want to see the hills "bowled in". I think it's part of what makes Jack Trice special..it feels more "Iowa" to me by having at least some grass around. Plus it makes it a lot easier to take the kids to the game as I know that if they get crabby, we can just go to the hillside and let them run around while I can still see the game. So, count me as a "nay" vote for bowling in the stadium.

 

[RayShimley]

I for one do not want to see the hills "bowled in". I think it's part of what makes Jack Trice special..it feels more "Iowa" to me by having at least some grass around. Plus it makes it a lot easier to take the kids to the game as I know that if they get crabby, we can just go to the hillside and let them run around while I can still see the game. So, count me as a "nay" vote for bowling in the stadium.

Wouldn't there still be grass "hills" on the north side?