TABLE OF CONTENTS About the Big Blue Scholarship Fund Become a Member Benefits of Being a Donor Ways to Make a Gift Aggie Priority Points System Season Ticket Information Seat Maps Maverik Stadium Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Wayne Estes Center Parking Information Romney Stadium Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Merlin Olsen Fund Frequently Asked Questions Meet Our Staff
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Thanks for your support of Utah State University Athletics. Whether you are a Big Blue Scholarship Fund member making your next gift or a new supporter purchasing season tickets for the first time, your contribution plays a huge role in sustaining excellence in all facets of Aggie Athletics. Nearly 400 young men and women represent Utah State University by competing at the highest level of their respective sports. As a season ticket member and supporter of the Big Blue Scholarship Fund, you are part of a team of passionate Aggies dedicated to providing student-athletes with the resources they need to reach their fullest potential in competition and in the classroom. Lastly, I want to say thank you for being a member of our Aggie family, and let you know that you are always welcome to contact us to learn more about what being a season ticket member and Big Blue Scholarship Fund supporter means to our program.
WHO WE ARE The Big Blue Scholarship Fund is the official scholarship support program for Utah State University Athletics, responsible for generating funds to assist the Athletics Department in covering the costs associated with providing a first class student-athlete experience.
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP The full cost of athletic scholarships continues to grow each year. Through private contributions from our members, we are able to help offset some of the $4.4 million needed for tuition fees, room and board, books, and academic support for nearly 400 student-athletes. Members of the Big Blue Scholarship Fund are Aggie fans, alumni, and friends who understand the cost of maintaining a premier athletics program. The growth of the Big Blue Scholarship Fund will be the key driving force behind our ability to compete for conference championships and continue the tradition of graduating student-athletes into successful careers long after their playing days are over.
COST OF THE STUDENT-ATHLETE EXPERIENCE
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The best way to help support Utah State Athletics is to join the Big Blue Scholarship Fund. Being an active member of the Big Blue Scholarship Fund is not only an investment in Aggie Athletics, it gives you the opportunity to take advantage of some special benefits, including priority seating and parking for athletics events, priority points, and invitations to exclusive member-only events.
ANNUAL GIFTS You can become a member of the Big Blue Scholarship Fund starting with just $50. All annual fund gifts directly support student-athlete scholarships and can be used to cover season ticket priority seating requirements in Maverik Stadium or the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Annual gifts can be tax deductible up to 80 percent, because the donor receives some benefit (priority points, seating opportunities, etc.) in return for their gift. You may, however, request that you receive no benefit in exchange for your gift, resulting in your donation being designated as 100 percent tax-deductible. Consult your tax advisor for more information. NOTE: Annual gifts related to priority seating must be made by May 1, 2015, or before season tickets are distributed.
MATCHING GIFTS Many employers provide matching gift programs for employee contributions. Ask your Human Resources department about your employer’s matching gift policy and see how you can increase the impact of your donation. If you plan on using your company’s corporate matching gift toward your minimum required donation for priority seating, the matching gift must be received by August 1st for football, and October 1st for basketball. Your company’s matching gifts process may require a significant period of time for processing, so please plan accordingly.
CAPITAL PROJECTS Quality facilities are an important piece of recruiting the nation’s best and brightest student-athletes. We’ve made a commitment to all of our student-athletes to equip them with the necessary tools to ensure their success on the playing fields and in the classroom. For information about donating toward a current or planned capital project, please contact the Utah State Athletics Development Office at 435.797.1850.
SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENTS The primary purpose of privately funding the athletics program at Utah State University is to provide our student-athletes with the opportunity to continue their education. While most of the scholarship funding comes from annual Big Blue Scholarship Fund giving, scholarship endowments ensure excellence for the future of Aggie Athletics. 2
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Listed below you will find various methods of becoming a member of the Big Blue Scholarship Fund.
PAYROLL DEDUCTION (USU EMPLOYEES ONLY)
ONLINE
To make your contribution through a monthly deduction out of your payroll, please visit the Big Blue Scholarship Fund offices at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum during regular business hours, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Access your account online at bigbluefund.net.
GIFTS-IN-KIND
CHECK/CREDIT CARD
In some situations, gifts of goods/services will be accepted in lieu of a cash contribution. All gifts-in-kind must be approved by the Big Blue Scholarship Fund.
Make checks payable to Big Blue Scholarship Fund. Please include your membership number on the check when possible. All major credit cards are accepted.
OTHER FORMS OF SUPPORT
AUTOMATIC PAYMENT PLANS
The Big Blue Scholarship Fund also accepts gifts in the form of stocks, real estate, life insurance, bequests, trusts,
Automatic monthly payment plans are an easy way to split your gift into smaller payments, while still maintaining your annual level of support. To set up a personal payment plan, please contact the Big Blue Scholarship Fund by calling 435.797.2583.
annuities, and securities.
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Aggie Points, the Big Blue Scholarship Fund’s Priority Point system, exists to reward those individuals who have made a commitment to Aggie Athletics. In order to accumulate priority points, one must be an active member of the Big Blue Scholarship Fund, making an annual contribution of at least $50.00. Priority Points totals are calculated throughout the year to determine selection order for season ticket seat assignments, away-game allocation, parking, seat improvements, and other special events or activities. CASH CONTRIBUTIONS • Historical Giving to Athletics (1988-2013)* - 1 Point for every $100 given to athletics from 1988-2013 (Includes BBSF, capital campaigns, endowments, irrevocable planned gifts, special projects, and sport specific funds). *University giving records begin in 1988 2014 - CURRENT • Priority Seating - 1 Point for every $100 given to the BBSF for priority seating. • Annual Giving - 2 Points for every $100 given to the BBSF (not attached to tickets). • Restricted Giving - 1 Point for every $100 in restricted giving (includes capital campaigns, special projects, sport specific programs, endowments, and irrevocable planned gifts). TRADE/GIFTS IN KIND • Trade/Gifts in Kind - 1 Point for every $500 worth of goods or services donated to Aggie Athletics. SEASON TICKETS • Season Ticket Holder (beginning with 2014) - 1 Point for every consecutive year as a season ticket holder to Football.1 Point for every consecutive year as a season ticket holder for Men’s Basketball. FIXED (ONE TIME ALLOCATION) • USU Letterwinner - 10 Points for lettering in a varsity sport (20 point max per account). • USU Alumni - 2 Points for USU Alumni (4 point max per account). For more information on Aggie Points visit bigbluefund.net or call 435.797.2583. 5
SEATING PRIORITY All new season ticket and seat improvement requests for Football, Men’s Basketball, and Volleyball will be allocated using the Aggie Priority Points system. Season ticket members will be invited to pick from available inventory, beginning with the season ticket member who has the most points. Seats are not guaranteed and all requests are based on availability.
RETAINING SEASON TICKET LOCATIONS To retain season ticket locations, existing season ticket members must renew their tickets and Big Blue Scholarship Fund donation requirement prior to the published deadlines. Tickets that are not renewed by the deadlines will be made available to other season ticket members.
SEAT IMPROVEMENT REQUESTS Current season ticket members who wish to explore other seating options must request an invitation to the season ticket member seat selection event during the renewal process.
NEW SEASON TICKET REQUESTS New season ticket members can request tickets anytime throughout the renewal process. Seats will not be allocated until all current season ticket members have been seated. Any Big Blue Scholarship Fund donation requirements must be paid in full prior to tickets being mailed. Giving the minimum per-seat donation requirement does not guarantee tickets in a desired location.
WOMEN’S SPORTS PASS General admission season tickets to all home Women’s Basketball, Volleyball, and Gymnastics contests can be purchased for $75 through the Utah State Athletics Ticket Office at any time throughout the year.
OLYMPIC SPORTS Admission for Softball, Soccer, Track & Field/CC, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, and Golf is free.
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GIVING YOU MORE IN 2015 Being a season ticket member has never been better! With game experience enhancements already underway, Utah State Football season ticket members can now receive exclusive year-round benefits as part of the new AGGIES365 season ticket membership program.
Presale Opportunities
Private Pre-Season Tailgate Party
Members Only Spring Scrimmage
Personal Account Executive Access
Post-season Ticket Priority
Pro-Day VIP Access
Flexible Payment Plan Options
Invitation to Season Ticket Member Fantasy Camp
Season Ticket Member Pin
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GROUP TICKET PACKAGES Attending one of our events with a group of 20 or more? Take advantage of our group seating rates. For information on specific game tickets please call the Utah State Athletics Ticket Office at 1.888.USTATE.1 or visit utahstateaggies.com.
MINI-PLANS Not sure if you have the time to commit to full-season tickets? Make sure to check out our mini-plan options for Football and Men’s Basketball by visiting utahstateaggies.com
SINGLE GAME TICKETS Single game tickets are available through the Utah State Athletics Ticket Office, over the phone by calling 1.888.USTATE.1, or online at utahstateaggies.com. Save money on order fees by getting your tickets delivered right to your mobile device.
AWAY GAME TICKETS Help make every game a home game for the Aggies by purchasing away game tickets for Football and Men’s Basketball. Big Blue Scholarship Fund members, please contact a BBSF representative by calling 435.797.2583. Non-BBSF members, contact the Utah State Athletics Ticket Office at 1-888-USTATE1. Seat locations are allocated based on Aggie Priority Points.
POST-SEASON TICKETS The number of post-season tickets available is based on Utah State University allotments and is subject to availability. Tickets will be released to Big Blue Scholarship Fund members first, followed by season ticket members. Any remaining tickets will be made available to the general public. Seat locations are based on Aggie Priority Points.
DATES & DEADLINES May 1: Big Blue Scholarship Fund gift renewal deadline. Football season ticket renewal deadline... May 15: Football seat selection begins... July 3: Men’s Basketball season ticket renewal deadline... July 17: Men’s Basketball seat selection begins... July 31: Volleyball season ticket renewal deadline. 8
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HOW PARKING IS ASSIGNED To be eligible for priority parking for Football or Men’s Basketball, one must be a season ticket member and a member of the Big Blue Scholarship Fund at the $100 level or above. Members are allowed one parking pass per four season tickets purchased, up to the maximum limits per giving level. All parking assignments are made annually based on Big Blue Scholarship Fund gifts received by May 1.
TAILGATE SPACES Season tailgate spaces for Football are available for members of the Big Blue Scholarship Fund at the $100 level or above. Tailgate spaces are sold in even quantities of 2 or more for $25 per stall. Single game tailgate spaces are available for purchase online through Utah State University Parking Services at parking.usu.edu.
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*Subject to change*
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*Subject to change*
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JOIN THE OLSEN FUND The Olsen Fund was launched in 2008, and has played a major role in helping Utah State Football win a 2013 Mountain West Confererence-Mountain Division Championship and three straight FBS bowl games.
OLSEN FUND MEMBERSHIP Annual members of Coach Wells’ elite inner circle are those who generously contribute $1,000 or more each year to the Olsen Fund in support of Aggie Football. •
New members are welcome at any point throughout the year.
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Your membership pledge may be fulfilled over a 12-month period, to make contributing more convenient for you. Members can make monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual payments through the Athletics Development Office.
Contributions of any denomination are appreciated by the USU Football program, including one-time gifts. However, we hope that you will choose to renew your involvement annually. For more information on how you can help Aggie Football, contact the Athletics Development Office at 435.797.2246.
*The Olsen Fund is a restricted giving program. Gifts to the Olsen Fund support Football only and cannot be used towards Big Blue Scholarship Fund priority seating or parking benefits. Gifts to the Olsen Fund are made in addition to any pledges you may have committed to the Big Blue Scholarship Fund or other athletics projects.
OLSEN FUND BENEFITS •
Annual Olsen Fund thank you gift and recognition on the Olsen Fund donor display on the second floor of the Jim and Carol Laub AthleticsAcademics Complex.
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Invitation to private bowl game reception.
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Invitation to the Spring Olsen Fund dinner.
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Exclusive Olsen Fund video e-mails from Coach Wells.
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Invitations to exclusive Olsen Fund events with other members, football staff, and players throughout the year.
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Preferred seating at the February Signing Day event.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: Who can support Aggie Athletics through the Big Blue Scholarship Fund? A: All fans of Aggie Athletics are encouraged to join the Big Blue Scholarship Fund and support our student-athletes. Supporters are not required to buy season tickets or be alumni of Utah State University. Q: How much to I need do donate to become a member of the Big Blue Scholarship Fund? A: Membership begins with an annual gift of $50. Q: What is my donation used for? A: All gifts to the Big Blue Scholarship Fund are used to support the educational opportunities of Aggie student-athletes by funding tuition, room and board, books, and fees. Every dollar of private support that goes towards scholarships frees up another dollar that the athletics department can reallocate for facility projects, recruiting, travel, equipment, and fan experience enhancements. Q: Why are there donation and season ticket renewal deadlines? A: The renewal deadlines are put in place so that vacated seats can be offered to current season ticket members that wish to improve their seat location or be purchased by new season ticket members. Q: How do I know my minimum Big Blue Scholarship Fund priority seating requirement? A: Priority seat donations are based on a per-seat giving amount. In order to sit in a certain seating area members must maintain a giving level equal to or above the total required donation per-seat.
Example: Joe Fan has two seats in Romney Stadium Level 1 at $500 per-seat. To maintain his seat location, Joe’s minimum donation requirement for the year is $1,000. Q: How do I get a parking pass? A: Parking passes are only available for Football or Men’s Basketball. To obtain a parking pass, one must be a season ticket member to that sport and also be a Big Blue Scholarship Fund member at the $100 level or above. Q: I am a big Aggie fan but can’t make a financial commitment right now. Are there other ways I can get involved? A: Of course! You could recruit others to join the Big Blue Scholarship Fund by volunteering for the annual Spring Fund Drive, or volunteer to help out at any of the Big Blue Scholarship Fund community events throughout the year. Contact the Big Blue Scholarship Fund for more information. 16
ATHLETICS DEVELOPMENT
ATHLETICS TICKET OFFICE
Kent Stanley Associate VP for Advancement Sr. Associate Athletics Director/Development kent.stanley@usu.edu
Leon Jackson, III (‘07/’11) Director of Ticket Operations leon.jackson@usu.edu
Jeremy Winn (‘10/’12) Assistant Athletics Director/Major Gifts jeremy.winn@usu.edu Corey Ansfield Assistant Athletics Director/Annual Giving corey.ansfield@usu.edu
Brennan Garcia Assistant Director of Ticket Operations brennan.garcia@usu.edu
AGGIE TICKET SOLUTIONS Zack Hewlett General Manager, Ticket Sales zack.hewlett@usu.edu
Alex Cook Assistant Development Officer/Events Coordinator Utah State Athletics Ticket Office alex.cook@usu.edu Dee Glen Smith Spectrum 7600 Old Main Hill Nick Wood Logan, UT 84322 Membership Coordinator 1.888.USTATE.1 nick.wood@usu.edu Bobbi Chatterton Coordinator of Development Operations bobbi.chatterton@usu.edu
Athletics Development/Big Blue Scholarship Fund Dee Glen Smith Spectrum 7400 Old Main Hill Logan, UT 84341 435.797.2583 435.797.2246 17