T he m i s s ion of t he Un iv e r s it y of Ok la homa D epa r t ment of At h let ic s i s to
I N S PI R E C H A M PION S T ODAY and prepare leaders for tomorrow by prov id i ng a n exc el lent env i ron ment to ena ble s tudent-at h lete s to ach ieve t hei r h ighe s t ac adem ic, at h let ic a nd per sona l a spi rat ion s.
CORE VALUES ➤ Respect ➤ Accountability for Self and Others ➤ Passion for Comprehensive Excellence ➤ Commitment to Continuous Improvement ➤ Celebration of Diversity ➤ Integrity in All of Our Affairs
Affairs The 2014 Sooner Club Membership Guide is a production of the OU Athletics Development Office. The guide was written by Assistant Athletics Director for Development Dusty Clements and Associate Director of Development Brian Dude. The guide was designed by Assistant Director of Graphic Design Kelsey Hargens. Editing provided by Director of Publications Debbie Copp and the Oklahoma Athletics Ticket Office. Photo Credits: Photos courtesy of Candid Color Photography, Jerry Laizure, Ty Russell, Stacey West, Lisa Hall, Robert Miller and Shevaun Williams. Printing: This publication was printed by Transcript Press at no cost to the taxpayers of the state of Oklahoma. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. www.ou.edu/eoo (November 2013).
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4
Benefits of Membership
9
Fiscal Integrity
10
Sooner Club Donations
12
Priority Point System
14
Upgrades and Postseason Tickets
15
Premium Seating
16
Red River Rivalry
18
Athletics Ticket Office
20
Frequently Asked Questions
22
Facility Maps
23
Inspiring Champions Circle
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP The Sooner Club is the principal fund-raising arm of OU Athletics. It provides a way for individuals to help talented student-athletes receive a quality education from the University of Oklahoma while ensuring OU’s tradition of excellence continues to grow.
Its members are friends, alumni and advocates of the University who recognize the value of the intercollegiate athletics experience and enthusiastically participate in a variety of ways. OU Athletics is entirely self-supporting and receives no state funds. This reality creates a significant need for private contributions. Our reliance on private support increases each year as the cost of education and the resources necessary to maintain an elite athletics program continue to escalate. The Athletics Department is responsible for the educational expenses (tuition, fees, room, board, books) of more than 600 student-athletes who receive scholarships to attend OU and represent the university in intercollegiate competition. The Sooner Club is the cornerstone of OU Athletics, and the continued support of its members is essential to the ongoing success of our student-athletes and athletics programs.
Every donor makes a difference. Your contribution, no matter the size, has a direct impact on the lives of OU’s student-athletes.
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2014 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
The greatest benefit of Sooner Club membership is the understanding that your contribution creates educational opportunities for the student-athletes who represent the University of Oklahoma. The chart below illustrates the additional benefits associated with your Sooner Club membership. A detailed description of each benefit is on pages 6-8.
BUD WILKINSON SOCIETY
GOLDEN SOONER CIRCLE
SILVER SOONER CIRCLE
BRONZE SOONER CIRCLE
COACHES SOONER CIRCLE
CRIMSON SOONER CIRCLE
CENTURY SOONER CIRCLE
2014 SOONER CLUB MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
$10,000 & Above
$5,000 $9,999
$3,000 $4,999
$1,500 $2,999
$500 $1,499
$250 $499
$100 $249
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
5th
5th
Three (3)
Three (3)
Two (2)
Two (2)
One (1)
Tax Deduction Football Game Program Recognition Sooner Club Decal Priority Points Sooner Insider Newsletter OU-Texas Ticket Seating Priority* Men’s Basketball General Parking Media Guide(s) Chesapeake Energy Courtside Club Access – Women’s Basketball Sooner Club Tailgate Passes
Two (2)
Four (4)
Four (4)
Two (2)
Two (2)
Football Priority Parking Chesapeake Energy Courtside Club Access – Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball Reserved Parking Special Event Invitation(s) Men’s Basketball Reserved Parking * Indicates priority in which OU/Texas ticket locations are assigned.
Three (3)
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ATHLETICS
5
RECOGNITION/COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA GUIDES
TAX DEDUCTION
Media guides are printed for football, men’s basketball and
All gifts to the Sooner Club are tax deductible as allowed
women’s basketball.
Sooner Club members contributing
by federal income tax law. The IRS allows an 80 percent
at the Coaches Sooner Circle level may request a media
charitable deduction for a contribution to educational
guide from one (1) sport. Bronze and Silver Sooner Circle
institutions where, as a result of such contribution, the donor
members may request media guides from two (2) sports.
receives preferred seating rights for athletic events. You
Golden Sooner Circle and Bud Wilkinson Society members
may decline any benefit by calling the Sooner Club office.
will receive media guides from all three (3) sports. Request
Donors should consult their tax adviser.
forms are mailed to qualifying members in April.
SOONER INSIDER
FOOTBALL GAME PROGRAM RECOGNITION
The Sooner Club’s monthly newsletter is the Sooner Insider.
All members of the Sooner Club are recognized by giving
This publication contains information about your Sooner
level in the football game program provided the
Club membership, OU athletic events, personality profiles
contribution is received by July 1.
of student-athletes and coaches, travel information from
SOONER CLUB DECAL
SoonerSportsTravel.com and much more! The Sooner Insider is provided exclusively to members of the Sooner
Sooner Club members are provided a decal to proudly
Club. The Sooner Insider is available via email to all Sooner
display on their car or office window. If you would like
Club members with a valid email address on their account.
additional decals, please contact the Sooner Club.
TICKETING
BLAKE BELL FOOTBALL JUNIOR WICHITA, KAN.
PRIORITY POINTS All Sooner Club members receive priority points for their contributions. Current year donations are awarded three (3)
.
points per $100 contributed. A more detailed explanation of the Priority Point System can be found on pages 12-13 of this Membership Guide.
OU-TEXAS SEATING PRIORITY Donating to the Sooner Club is the best way to add priority points to your account and increase the possibility of qualifying for Red River Rivalry tickets.
Because tickets
to the game are in such high demand, the Priority Point System is used to determine who qualifies for tickets to the OU-Texas game as well as seating locations within the Cotton Bowl. Only OU season ticket holders are eligible to qualify for OU-Texas tickets.
6
2014 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
“Every single day I appreciate how fortunate I am to attend an unbelievable university. Then on Saturdays I get to play the game I love in front of 85,000 fans. I can’t thank our generous Sooner Club donors enough for helping make this possible.”
.
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
HOSPITALITY SOONER CLUB TAILGATE PASSES Football season ticket holders at the Bronze and Silver Sooner Circle levels qualify for two (2) complimentary Sooner Club Tailgate passes. Football season ticket holders at the Golden Sooner Circle and Bud Wilkinson Society levels qualify for up to four (4) passes. Additional season passes may be purchased for $180 or $30/game by calling the Sooner Club. The number of Sooner Club Tailgate passes any member may receive is limited to the number of season
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY COURTSIDE CLUB
football tickets in their account. The Chesapeake Energy Courtside Club is located near
SPECIAL EVENT INVITATION(S)
Legacy Court on the south side of the Lloyd Noble Center. With access to the Courtside Club, donors receive
Golden Sooner Circle members and Bud Wilkinson Society
complimentary food and beverages beginning an hour
members are invited to a minimum of one special, exclusive
and a half before tipoff. TVs are also available to keep up
event each academic year.
with other games from around the country. Coaches and student-athletes from other OU sports speak to the group at select games, updating them on their respective seasons
KIERRA HOLST VOLLEYBALL SOPHOMORE COPPELL, TEXAS
and previewing upcoming home events.
MEN’S BASKETBALL Men’s basketball season ticket holders at the Silver Sooner Circle level and above qualify to receive up to four (4) complimentary passes to the Chesapeake Energy Courtside Club before select home games. Additional season passes may be purchased for $100 each by calling the Sooner Club. The number of Courtside Club passes qualifying members may receive is limited to the number of season tickets in their account. Courtside Club passes and a complete schedule of events will be mailed to qualifying members in November.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Women’s basketball season ticket holders at the Bronze Sooner Circle level and above qualify to receive up to four (4) complimentary passes to the Chesapeake Energy Courtside Club before select home games. Additional season passes “I feel like being a student-athlete here is a blessing. Everyone here, especially the Sooner Club, is extremely supportive. I can’t picture going to any other school. I chose a place that felt like home.”
may be purchased for $100 each by calling the Sooner Club. The number of Courtside Club passes qualifying members may receive is limited to the number of season tickets in their account. Courtside Club passes and a complete schedule of events will be mailed to qualifying members in November.
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ATHLETICS
7
PARKING FOOTBALL PRIORITY PARKING Football season ticket holders donating at the Silver Sooner Circle level and above qualify to receive priority football parking. Priority parking location is allocated by annual giving level with donors at each level ranked in priority point order. Parking in all game day lots is on a first-come, first-served basis. A football parking request form, where donors rank their preference for parking lots, will be mailed to qualifying Sooner Club members in April. Limit one (1) pass per four (4) season tickets with
Monnett Lot
MONNETT ST.
a maximum of three (3) passes per account.
Heisman Park Lot
MP-12 Lot
Headington Hall
Parkview Lot
MEN’S BASKETBALL RESERVED PARKING
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RESERVED PARKING
Men’s basketball season ticket holders at the Bud Wilkinson
Women’s basketball season ticket holders at the Golden
Society level receive one (1) reserved parking pass for
Sooner Circle and Bud Wilkinson Society levels receive one
each regular season home game. Each qualifying member
(1) reserved parking pass for each regular season home
will receive a numbered, reserved space adjacent to the
game. Each qualifying member will receive a numbered,
Lloyd Noble Center. Reserved parking is available for all home games, including exhibitions. Parking permits will be mailed to qualifying members prior to the start of basketball season.
MEN’S BASKETBALL GENERAL PARKING Men’s basketball season ticket holders at the Crimson Sooner Circle level and above receive preferred parking at the Lloyd Noble Center. Limit one (1) pass per four (4) season tickets with a maximum of three (3) passes per account.
8
Heisman Park Lot Entrance
2014 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
reserved space adjacent to the Lloyd Noble Center. Reserved parking is available for all home games, including exhibitions. Parking permits will be mailed to qualifying members prior to the start of basketball season.
FISCAL INTEGRITY
Oklahoma’s Athletics Department has reached a level of fiscal integrity that truly is a model nationwide, and it has done so by holding the line on donor levels and ticket prices when compared with its peers.
FOOTBALL SEASON TICKET PRICING
OU Athletics is self-sustaining, which means it generates every dollar it spends through ticket sales, donations,
$800
conference revenues and other contracts. Unlike many
$700
other schools, the Sooner athletics program receives no
$600
1. 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2
support from student fees, the university’s general budget
$500
or tax appropriations.
$400 $300
Only a handful of athletics departments can claim the
$200
kind of fiscal achievement that exists at Oklahoma. Moreover,
$100
the department contributes approximately $8 million back
$0
to the campus annually.
MEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON TICKET PRICING
While some must explain to their campus why they
$2000 0.6 0. 0.2 0.0
syphon off dollars to float an athletics program or keep up with the competition, Oklahoma Athletics supports itself entirely while assisting in the funding of other cam-
$1500
$1000
pus projects and budgets. That’s what happens when a department manages itself
$500
responsibly, something OU has done in each of the last 15
$0
years when the athletics department finished on the plus side of the financial ledger. Not coincidentally, that’s a period of time that matches Joe Castiglione’s tenure.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON TICKET PRICING $300 $250
Responsible spending has been a hallmark of that success, but so has the broad-based nature of OU’s
$200
support. With record-setting ticket sales and more than
$150
10,000 private benefactors, the department’s leadership
$100
has maintained pricing and donor levels that have never threatened the highest numbers either on the conference or national landscapes.
$50 $0
TOTAL SCHOLARSHIP COSTS FY00 – FY13 $10,000,000
$6,060,241.40 increase from FY 00 - FY 13
has become a fixture among the top 15 of the Learfield
$4,000,000
FY 13
FY 12
FY 11
FY 10
FY 09
FY 08
FY 07
FY 06
FY 05
$0
FY 04
$2,000,000 FY 03
Academic achievement, competitive success, fiscal integrity and an awareness of the fan and donor — It all adds upto a harmony that few have achieved in intercollegiate athletics.
$6,000,000
FY 02
its greatest overall academic marks.
179% increase from FY 00 - FY 13
$8,000,000
FY 00
Director’s Cup at a time when it is also enjoying perhaps
FY 01
Yet the competitive yield has been such that Oklahoma
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ATHLETICS
9
SOONER CLUB DONATIONS ANNUAL CASH GIFTS
MATCHING GIFTS
Cash and checks are accepted. All checks should be made
Many companies and corporations provide matching gift
payable to the University of Oklahoma Foundation.
programs for employee contributions. Ask your personnel
Gifts made to the OU Foundation are tax deductible
office about your employer’s matching gift policy and see
as a charitable contribution.
In most cases, the IRS has
how you can make your gift work two or three times harder
determined that donations made to the Sooner Club are 80
for the Sooners! Enclose the matching gift form provided
percent tax deductible because the donor receives some
by your company with your contribution to increase your
benefit (in the form of priority seating opportunities) in
gift and benefits level.
exchange for the donation. You may, however, request that you receive no benefit in exchange for your donation and
PRIORITY POINT REMINDER:
therefore your donation would be 100 percent tax deductible.
Matching gifts are awarded priority points just like regular annual gifts – three (3) points for
The Sooner Club also accepts donations made by credit
every $100 current year gift and one (1) point
card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover)
for every $100 of past gifts. In order to receive
and/or through a monthly payment plan (monthly billing on
proper priority point credit, all matching gifts
credit card).
must be received by the March 31 deadline.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All annual Sooner Club donations for priority seating privileges must be received no later than March 31, 2014. If you choose to utilize the monthly payment plan, complete and return the included form, along with one-quarter of
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you plan on using your company’s corporate matching gift toward your 2014 Sooner Club donation, all matching funds must be received by March 31, 2014. Many matching gifts require a significant period of time for processing, so please plan the timing of your gift accordingly.
the minimum required donation for priority seating, by December 31, 2013. The remaining balance of your donation will be billed in equal parts in January, February and March. You may elect to have your credit card charged or you may pay by check.
PRIORITY POINT REMINDER: .
ALEC ROBIN MEN’S GYMNASTICS JUNIOR CALABASAS, CALIF.
Current gifts are awarded three (3) priority points for every $100 donated. All past gifts are awarded one (1) point for every $100 donated.
10
2014 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
“I have learned leadership, trust, teamwork, and communication skills through the remarkable experiences as a student-athlete. Thank you Sooner Club for making this time a reality and helping me accomplish all my dreams and goals.”
SOONER CLUB DONATIONS
CAPITAL GIFTS
SOONER SCHOONER PROGRAM
Every sport sponsored by the University of Oklahoma has
More than 50 car dealers support OU Athletics through
recently seen major improvements in facilities and equipment.
their participation in the Sooner Schooner Courtesy Vehicle
By every measure, OU is the flagship for excellence —
Program, which guarantees reliable transportation for OU
especially when it comes to facilities.
coaches and administrators. Car dealers who participate in the program receive Sooner Club benefits, tickets and
Still, when it comes to maintaining our competitive advantage
priority points based on the number of vehicles provided
in this important area, there is always a need for capital gifts.
for athletics department use.
Top-notch facilities are not just important for recruiting the nation’s best and brightest student-athletes, they are also important because we’ve made a commitment to all of our
GIFTS-IN-KIND
student-athletes to equip them with the best tools to use
A donation of goods and/or services in lieu of cash can also
toward their pursuit of scholastic and athletic goals. For
be made to the Sooner Club. All gifts-in-kind must receive
information about donating toward a current or planned
prior approval from the Sooner Club.
capital project, please contact the Sooner Club.
PRIORITY POINT REMINDER:
SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENTS
Gifts made through the gift-in-kind program are
The primary purpose for privately funding the athletics
worth of goods and/or services donated.
awarded one (1) priority point for every $200
program at the University of Oklahoma is to provide the necessary funds to send our student-athletes to school.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Gift-in-kind donations cannot count toward your minimum donation required for priority seating.
While most of the scholarship funding comes from annual Sooner Club donations, more and more scholarships are being fully endowed, thus ensuring that this funding will be available for generations to come. There are many different programs available through the OU Athletics Scholarship Endowment Program, up to and including a fully-endowed $350,000 Foundation Scholarship that bears the donor’s name and associates them with a former letterwinner and current student-athlete. For more information about this important program, please contact the Sooner Club.
OTHER METHODS OF GIVING Gifts to the Sooner Club may also take other forms. Some examples might include real estate, stocks or personal property, as well as planned gifts such as endowments, life insurance, bequests, trusts, annuities and gifts of securities.
ATHLETICS COMPLIANCE REMINDER: Contact the OU Athletics Compliance office with any questions regarding NCAA and Big 12 rules and regulations at 405.325.7004 or
PRIORITY POINT REMINDER:
email athleticscompliance@ou.edu.
All capital gifts (including signed pledges) and scholarship endowments are awarded one ( 1) priority point for every $100 pledged.
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ATHLETICS
11
PRIORITY POINT SYSTEM In an effort to more equitably serve Sooner Club members, a priority point system was developed and implemented in 1995 to determine ranking for season ticket placement and acquiring tickets to high-demand events like the annual Red River Rivalry, away games, postseason tournaments and championships, bowl games and other special events. The Priority Point System is also used to allocate Sooner Club benefits such as priority parking and requests for seating upgrades.
CURRENT YEAR DONATION POINTS
SEASON TICKET POINTS
All Sooner Club donations received in a current giving
holders have been awarded one (1) priority point for every
year are awarded three (3) priority points for every $100
sport for which they purchase a season ticket. For example,
received. Please note that priority points are awarded only
if a patron had season tickets for football, women’s
when donations are received. Current year donation points
basketball and baseball, they would earn a total of three (3)
are awarded three (3) points per $100 received in an effort
priority points.
to encourage Sooner Club members to donate each and
Please note, one (1) priority point is awarded for every sport, not every ticket.
every year.
PAST YEARS DONATION POINTS All priority points for Sooner Club donations received since the inception of the Priority Point System in 1995 appear in this category. Past gifts are awarded one (1) point for every $100 received. These points accumulate yearly to recognize the long-term financial commitment of our donors.
TICKET LOYALTY POINTS At the conclusion of the 2002-03 academic year, OU recognized its long-term season ticket holders with a one-time addition to their priority point total. A scale was developed and a priority point deposit was made to Sooner Club accounts based on a patron’s consecutive years of
Beginning with the 2003-04 academic year, season ticket
UNDERSTANDING YOUR POINT TOTAL The Sooner Club awards priority points in several different categories that make up your priority point total. Please consider the following example:
Silver Circle Member ($4,500 Donor) Account #153687 Current Year Donation Points...................................135 Past Years Donation Points......................................200 Ticket Loyalty Points....................................................... 6 Sooner Loyalty Points....................................................10
Each account was analyzed
Season Ticket Points.......................................................14
and once it was determined which sport had the longest
Current Capital / Endowment Points....................100
consecutive season ticket purchase history, the point
Touchdown Club Points............................................... 2.5
purchasing season tickets.
addition was made. TOTAL................................................................. 467.5
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2014 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
PRIORIT Y POINT SYSTEM
SOONER LOYALTY POINTS To reward our faithful supporters, season ticket holders earn priority points based upon their attendance at sports for which they hold season tickets. Sooner Loyalty points are earned based upon the percentage of events attended over the course of each season. For example, if a football season ticket holder has four tickets and there are six games, all 24 tickets must be used to gain four points. These attendance points are earned regardless of who uses your tickets, if they are sold on OU Ticket Marketplace, or shared online via Ticket Sharing and used for entry to the event.
At the conclusion of each season,
your account will be credited with the appropriate number of priority points based upon the following scale:
HALL OF FAMER
100% attendance
4 Priority Points
NATIONAL CHAMPION
85-99%
3 Priority Points
ALL-AMERICAN
73-84%
2 Priority Points
CURRENT CAPITAL / ENDOWMENT POINTS Every Sooner Club member has the opportunity to make financial contributions and commitments specifically directed toward OU’s capital and scholarship needs. The Sooner Club awards one (1) point for every $100 given or pledged toward an athletics department capital or scholarship endowment gift. Priority points for athletics capital or endowment gifts are awarded at the time of the gift or pledge. While annual Sooner Club donations are awarded priority points only upon receipt of the gift, athletics capital or endowment commitments are awarded priority points up front.
BOOSTER CLUB POINTS Several sports at the University of Oklahoma have their own booster clubs. These clubs exist to provide financial support that directly benefits the specified program. One (1) point for every $100 contributed is awarded for booster club giving.
TOUCHDOWN CLUB POINTS As the oldest and most prestigious sport booster program in the country, the Touchdown Club is in a class of its own. This remarkable organization has helped OU build a tradition-rich program for more than 50 years. Even though the Touchdown Club is a separately-chartered organization,
WHERE DO YOU RANK? Below is a ranking of Sooner Club members by annual giving level and priority points within that giving level. Every ticketing and parking allocation is managed by placing donors in priority point order within each annual giving level. The first priority is annual giving level and secondary is priority points within each level. The table below is offered as a guide to help you gain a better understanding of the Priority Point System and where you may rank within that system. Ranking is based on 2013 Sooner Club donations. MEMBER RANK
GIVING LEVEL
POINTS
50th.....................Bud Wilkinson Society .............. 5272 100th...................Bud Wilkinson Society ............. 3049 500th..................Bud Wilkinson Society ................405
1,000th................ Golden Sooner Circle.................... 318
2,000th............... Bronze Sooner Circle ...................417 3,000th............... Bronze Sooner Circle .................. 189
4,000th..............Coaches Sooner Circle................. 209 5,000th..............Coaches Sooner Circle ................. 148 6,000th..............Coaches Sooner Circle ...................115
7,000th.............. Crimson Sooner Circle ................... 87 8,000th.............. Crimson Sooner Circle ...................68
9,000th.............. Century Sooner Circle ...................50 10,000th............ Century Sooner Circle .................... 21
the Sooner Club enjoys a close working relationship with this group of supporters. For Sooner Club members who maintain an annual membership in the Touchdown Club, 2.5 priority points are recorded in this category.
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ATHLETICS
13
UPGRADES AND POSTSEASON TICKETS PRIORITY SEATING AND SEASON TICKETS Acquiring new season tickets, adding additional season
Once the regular season ticket renewal deadline has passed,
tickets and/or upgrading existing season tickets are each
all non-renewed tickets are placed in inventory and made
addressed through a combined effort of the Sooner Club
available for re-allocation. Requests for new tickets and/
and the OU Athletics Ticket Office.
or upgrades are addressed, and if a new ticket location is successfully secured, your new tickets will be mailed with all
Every ticket request is ranked in priority point order within
other season tickets.
each annual giving level and reviewed one request at a time. Because season ticket renewal rates are typically very high
Due to the high number of upgrade and/or new season
(better than 97 percent for football, for example), acquiring
ticket requests received each year, donors are encouraged
seats or upgrading seats can present a challenge.
to be as specific as possible in making these requests. Preferences, including sections, row height, etc., are helpful
Despite the high demand and limited supply, each request
in determining the best available seat locations. Please note
is reviewed in the same manner. You must make your
that these are just requests.
additional ticket and/or upgrade request in writing — either by writing the specifics directly on your Sooner Club or
Because all ticket requests are ranked and reviewed in
season ticket application, by attaching a letter to your
priority point order within annual giving levels, making
application, making the request on your online renewal
a donation to the Sooner Club remains the best way to
application, or via email.
acquire or improve season tickets. Donations to the Sooner Club are non-refundable as your gift provides charitable
Any move or upgrade of your tickets will potentially create a
support for OU’s student-athletes. While your gift increases
new donor component. For example, an upgraded “public”
your opportunity to acquire tickets, it is not an implicit guar-
season ticket will now have a minimum per seat donor
antee of tickets or ticket locations. If you have questions
component assigned. This donation will be required
regarding specific seating opportunities, please contact the
annually to maintain the season ticket location.
Sooner Club.
POSTSEASON EVENTS (TOURNAMENTS, CHAMPIONSHIPS AND BOWL GAMES) The opportunity to purchase postseason tickets is also determined by Sooner Club annual giving level and the Priority Point System. The Athletics Ticket Office will mail postseason ticket order forms to season ticket holders. After the demand for postseason contests has been determined, a distribution plan will be implemented based on Sooner Club annual giving levels and the Priority Point System.
14
2014 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
IMPORTANT NOTE: The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing every opportunity possible for Sooner fans to attend postseason events. Every effort will be made to acquire tickets to make available to any Sooner fan who wants to attend. At times, however, supply to these contests is very limited and the allocation of tickets will be determined by Sooner Club annual giving level and the Priority Point System.
PREMIUM SEATING
OU offers a number of premium seating opportunities at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium with both indoor and outdoor amenities for Sooner fans.
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY STADIUM CLUB
SANTEE LOUNGE
The Chesapeake Energy Stadium Club is located on the east side of Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, running the entire length of the field. The Stadium Club was completely renovated prior to the 2013 football season.
Considered the premier outdoor seating area inside Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, seating adjacent to the Santee Lounge is the best way to stay close to the action while enjoying the amenities inside the Santee Lounge, which was completely updated prior to the 2013 football season.
Club level ticket holders can enjoy the game with chairback seating in Sections 124-135. With the heat of early season games or the cold of late season contests, patrons have access to the Stadium Club’s indoor concessions and restrooms, as well as large lounge areas on both the north and south ends and flatscreen TVs throughout. In addition to expanded concessions, there is also a catered buffet available for purchase on game days. Because of the great demand for Club seating, a Bud Wilkinson Society donation ($10,000+) is typically necessar y to receive new or upgraded seating in the Chesapeake Energy Stadium Club. Annual per seat donations vary based on location and can range from $1,750/seat up to $2,500/seat. Because Club seats are currently sold out, only those seats which are not renewed are available for new season ticket holders or current season ticket holders requesting an upgrade.
Santee Lounge chairback seating is available in the top 13 rows (59-71) of Sections 3-8 on the west side of the stadium. In addition to chairback seating, fans with seats in this area have access to the Santee Lounge which offers premium concessions, upgraded restrooms, lounge areas and flatscreen TVs throughout, as well as a gameday buffet available for purchase. Due to the tremendous demand for Santee Lounge seating, a capital donation is typically necessary to receive new or upgraded seats in this area. Annual per seat minimum donations for Santee Lounge seating are currently set at $2,500/seat.
STADIUM SUITES Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium currently boasts 63 luxury suites, entirely upgraded prior to the 2013 football season, that allow football fans to experience a Sooner game day within the comforts and luxury of the indoors. The Stadium Suites seating capacity ranges from 12-seat boxes to 24-seat boxes with the majority of the suites holding 18 patrons per suite. Each suite includes flat screen TVs, refrigerator, wet bar area, lounge chairs, stadium seating and retractable windows that can be adjusted throughout the game. In addition, all Stadium Suites guests enjoy a catered buffet in the spacious lounge areas on each suite level which also feature flat screen TVs and a seating area with tables, chairs and sofas. Suite patrons also have the option of ordering food items within their private suite. Due to the tremendous demand for Stadium Suites, a capital donations is typically necessary to lease a suite. Suites are leased on either a three-year, five-year, or seven-year term. For more information on Chesapeake Energy Stadium Club, Santee Lounge seating or Stadium Suites, please contact the Sooner Club at 405.325.8000 or 866.SOONER.CLUB.
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ATHLETICS
15
RED RIVER RIVALRY
The OU-Texas football game is one of the greatest rivalries in all of college football. Tickets for this game have become the most popular on our schedule each year. Due to the demand for these tickets, the Priority Point System allows for the qualification and allocation of OU-Texas tickets each year.
HOW ARE TICKETS DETERMINED AND ALLOCATED?
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO IMPROVE MY LOCATION?
Because demand is so high, a plan, utilizing the Priority Point System and Sooner Club annual giving level, provides the most equitable way to determine 1) which Sooner Club members receive tickets, 2) how many tickets each season ticket holder receives, and 3) the location of tickets inside the Cotton Bowl. Orders are first placed in annual giving level beginning with Bud Wilkinson Society members through Bronze Sooner Circle members and then placed in priority point order within each giving level. Coaches Sooner Circle, Crimson Sooner Circle and Century Sooner Circle members are categorized together in priority point order.
While the opportunity to purchase an OU-Texas ticket is guaranteed by some seating locations, ticket location inside the Cotton Bowl is determined by Sooner Club annual giving level and priority points within each giving level. The most immediate way to obtain improvement to your OU-Texas location is to increase your Sooner Club contribution to the next giving level.
HOW MANY TICKETS DO I QUALIFY FOR? Most Sooner Club members will receive a separate invoice for the number of tickets for which they qualify based on their annual giving level within the Sooner Club. Some Oklahoma football season ticket holders acquire OU-Texas tickets because of their seat location inside Gaylord Family– Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. These companion OU-Texas tickets will be invoiced on the season ticket renewal form. The number of OU-Texas tickets a donor will qualify for, regardless of annual giving level, will not exceed the number of season tickets they have in their account.
Assignment of OU-Texas seats in the Cotton Bowl is first based on current year giving level with the Sooner Club, and then priority points within that giving level. Bud Wilkinson Society members will be prioritized first based on priority points, and then allocated seats. Next, the Golden Sooner Circle will be prioritized and allocated, followed by the Silver Sooner Circle and finally the Bronze Sooner Circle. All Sooner Club accounts at the Coaches Sooner Circle and below will be categorized together and allocated seating based on priority points. Again, the qualification to receive tickets will remain based on points. Every season ticket holder will be re-allocated seats in the Cotton Bowl for the 2014 OU-Texas game. Donors will be seated according to annual giving level with the Sooner Club and then by priority points within giving levels. All donations must be made on or before March 31, 2014, to count toward annual giving level and priority points for the 2014 OU-Texas ticket allocation.
2014 OU-TEXAS TICKET QUALIFICATION BY GIVING LEVEL*
MAX # OF TICKETS
BUD WILKINSON SOCIETY ($10,000+)
12
GOLDEN SOONER CIRCLE ($5,000-$9,999)
10
SILVER SOONER CIRCLE ($3,000-$4,999)
8
BRONZE SOONER CIRCLE ($1,500-$2,999)
6
COACHES SOONER CIRCLE ($500-$1,499)
4
CRIMSON SOONER CIRCLE ($250-$499)
4
CENTURY SOONER CIRCLE ($100-$249)
4
* The total number of OU-Texas tickets any member may receive is limited to the number of season tickets in their account. For instance, a Golden Sooner Circle member with four (4) season tickets would only qualify for four (4) OU-Texas tickets. A Golden Sooner Circle member with 12 season tickets would only qualify for 10 OU-Texas tickets.
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2014 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
RED RI V ER RI VA LRY
DONOR SEATING AT THE COTTON BOWL To help guide seating requests for the Red River Rivalry, below are seating sections where Sooner Club donors at different levels are typically allocated seats at the Cotton Bowl for the OU-Texas game. Sections listed are based on seating in recent years and do not guarantee specific seating for future games. GATE
BUD WILKINSON SOCIETY
123 124
GATE
6, 5, 4, 24, 25, 26, 106, 105, 128, 129
E
GOLDEN SOONER CIRCLE
121
18
119
132 133
125 126 127 128 129 130 131
122
120
4, 3, 26, 27, 105, 104, 103, 130, 131
G
19
22 23 24 20 21
25 26
27
134 28
29
17
D
117
136 30
116
115
29-36, 101, 133-144
14 35 12 113
112
139
34
13
GATE
C
138
32 33
114
COACHES, CRIMSON & CENTURY SOONER CIRCLE
137
31
15
BRONZE SOONER CIRCLE 2, 1 , 28, 29, 103, 102, 131, 132
J
135
118 SILVER SOONER CIRCLE 16 GATE 27, 28, 3, 2, 104, 103, 130, 131
GATE
11
111
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
B
PRESS BOX GATE
A
141
36
142 143
102 101 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103
GATE
140
GATE
M
GATE
144
L
2013 SEATING CHART
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ATHLETICS
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ATHLETICS TICKET OFFICE
Phone: 405.325.2424 | Toll-Free: 800.456.GoOU I Fax: 405.325.8500 | Email: outickets@ou.edu Address: 1185 Asp Ave. Rm. 150 • Norman, OK 73019
TICKET OFFICE LOCATION The OU Athletics Ticket Office is located on the plaza level of the Asp Avenue Parking Facility, immediately west of Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium near Gate 2. A limited number of metered parking spaces are available on the second level of the parking facility.
The Ticket Office’s regular office hours are Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM. The Athletics Ticket Office opens at least three (3) hours prior to kickoff on football game days and remains open through halftime.
WILL CALL Tickets are available for pick up at the OU Athletics Ticket
ERICA BREWER WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS JUNIOR LOUISVILLE, KY
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Office from 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday – Friday. You may claim tickets you have ordered online or over the phone as early as the next business afternoon following the date of purchase. Tickets ordered eleven (11) days or more prior to an event are mailed, or kept in Will Call if specified by the ticket holder.
Tickets ordered ten (10) days or less prior to an event will be placed in Will Call. Tickets may be picked up at the Athletics Ticket Office on or before game day. Please allow one business day for processing, “The experience I have had has been so much more than I ever imagined it would be. When I put on that crimson leotard, I know that I’m not just competing for myself or my team, but for the future of my school.”
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2014 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
A photo ID is required to pick up tickets in Will Call. Only the ticket holder may pick up tickets unless other arrangements are made in writing through the OU Athletics Ticket Office in advance.
.
ATHLETICS TICKET OFFICE
GAME DAY WILL CALL GAYLORD FAMILY – OKLAHOMA MEMORIAL STADIUM Will Call will open at least three (3) hours prior to kickoff and is located at the main ticket office on the plaza level of the Asp Avenue Parking Facility. Will Call will stay open through halftime.
GAME DAY WILL CALL – LLOYD NOBLE CENTER Tickets are available for pick up at the north box office at the Lloyd Noble Center one and a half (1.5) hours prior to the start of the event through halftime.
GAME DAY WILL CALL – ALL OTHER SPORT VENUES Tickets are available for pick up at the ticket booth at least one (1) hour prior to the start of the event until half way through the event.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
SEASON TICKET TRANSFERS
Payment for tickets can be made in cash, by check payable
Sooner Club and Ticket Office policy allows for a one-time
to The University of Oklahoma, or charged to VISA,
transfer of season tickets to a direct family member (defined
MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. No refunds
as a son, grandson, daughter or granddaughter) 18 years of
or exchanges are made unless an order cannot be filled.
age or older. Only the opportunity to purchase the season
Processing fees are not refunded. Single game tickets
tickets in the current location is transferred to the new
purchased at the event location must be paid for with cash
account. Any priority points, companion OU-Texas tickets,
or credit card.
etc., do not transfer.
ADA SEATING
Transferred season tickets are subject to the current annual per seat donations associated with the seat location.
The University of Oklahoma maintains ADA seating for all
All benefits and priority points associated with the new
venues. View information on accessible seating online at
account will be based solely on donations, attendance, etc.,
SoonerSports.com, call the Ticket Office at 800.456.GoOU
on the new account.
or visit the office located on the plaza level of the Asp Avenue Parking Facility on the west side of Gaylord Family
Appropriate documentation (birth certificate, etc.) must
– Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
be submitted along with any transfer request and will be reviewed and verified by the Sooner Club and OU Athletics Ticket Office prior to completion of the transfer.
CRAIG AIKIN BASEBALL SOPHOMORE COPPELL, TEXAS
“When I made the decision to come to school here, it felt like the right place to be and now that I’ve been here I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the country. I’m honored to wear Crimson and Cream.”
Tickets retained by the surviving spouse of a deceased season ticket holder do not count against the one-time transfer rule. However, we do ask that the family provide appropriate documentation so the name on the account can be updated.
For questions regarding season ticket transfers, please contact the Sooner Club at 405.325.8000.
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ATHLETICS
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS HOW DO I CHANGE THE ADDRESS/CONTACT INFORMATION ON MY ACCOUNT? Please note any changes on order and request forms returned to the OU Athletics Ticket Office. You may also send a written request via email, fax, or mail to change your contact information. Please be sure to include your account number and your previous contact information. Address change deadlines will apply for specific events.
WHERE DO I FIND MY PRIORITY POINT TOTAL?
HOW DO I KEEP THE SEATS I HAD LAST SEASON?
Your priority point total can be accessed via your online
Payment for tickets (and donations for donor seating areas)
account. Please use your account number and password
must be received by the renewal deadline in order to be
to log in. You will need to establish a password if you have
eligible for the same seating location.
not already done so.
T’ONA EDWARDS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FRESHMAN SPENCER, OKLA.
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HOW DO I REQUEST A SEATING CHANGE? You may write any requests on the actual ticket application, or you may submit a separate written request to the Athletics Ticket Office or Sooner Club via email, fax, or mail. Be sure to describe in as much detail as possible exactly what you are requesting. Feel free to include sections, rows, and seat numbers if applicable. Listing first, second and third choices will help in assessing the best seating available for your preferences (i.e., which is more important, yard line or height of row, etc.). Customers who renew seats online can make their requests on their online ticket renewal.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY SEASON TICKETS? “It was always my dream to be a Sooner, but it wasn’t a reality until I stepped on the court under the lights and in front of the crowd. It’s amazing to know the same people who cheer you on at a game are the same ones helping to provide for your education by their Sooner Club memberships. Together, we’re all a winning team.”
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2014 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
Season tickets are mailed between two and four weeks prior to the first home event. Individual game tickets are mailed up to 10 days prior to the event. Ticket orders received within ten (10) days of an event will be placed in Will Call.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW CAN I REQUEST TO SIT WITH MY FRIENDS? Indicate the names and account numbers of the individuals
IF MY TICKETS ARE SOLD ON OU TICKET MARKETPLACE, WILL I RECOUP THE COST OF THE TICKET?
you would like to be seated with when completing an
Yes. When your tickets are purchased, you will receive a
order form or request form. All parties must indicate their
credit of 85% of the ticket’s sale price. Checks or credits to
desire to be seated together and make the same request on their respective order forms. You may also fax or email your group seating request by the renewal or order deadline.
your PayPal account will be issued by StubHub to ticket holders who have sold tickets throughout the year.
Each party must make this request. IMPORTANT NOTE: When allocating seats for parties wishing to sit together, the location will be based on the party with the lowest priority.
DO I HAVE TO USE ALL OF THE TICKETS ON MY ACCOUNT FOR EACH GAME TO RECEIVE 100 PERCENT ATTENDANCE CREDIT? Yes. Attendance percentages will be calculated based upon
NATHANIEL WINFREY
the use of all tickets associated with a particular account.
TRACK & FIELD SENIOR STILLWATER, OKLA.
tickets, then he has 24 tickets (Four (4) season tickets x six
For example, if Joe Fan has four (4) season football
(6) home football games = 24 tickets) which must be used for admission to receive 100% attendance credit.
“Knowing that each member of the Sooner Club is contributing to ensure us quality practice facilities, limitless academic resources, and world-class coaches on staff reminds me just how fortunate we student-athletes here at the University of Oklahoma are.”
WHAT IF I CAN’T ATTEND A GAME OR WANT TO GIVE MY TICKETS TO SOMEONE ELSE? The Athletics Ticket Office offers the Ticket Marketplace and Ticket Sharing programs as convenient methods to sell
ADMISSION POLICY Ticket holders are restricted to seating in the location that appears on their ticket and agree to abide by facility and University policies, as well as State and Federal laws. The University of Oklahoma reserves the right to revoke tickets by refund of purchase.
FOOTBALL All persons, including children of any age, must have a ticket for admission into Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
or share your tickets. OU’s secondary ticket market is located on StubHub — The Official Fan to Fan Ticket Marketplace
MEN’S BASKETBALL
of the Oklahoma Sooners. This exciting partnership allows
Children under two (2) are free.
you more freedom in pricing and number of posts, and allows you to reach a broader audience than ever before. If you simply want to give your individual game tickets to friends or family, the Ticket Sharing program allows you to send your tickets electronically via email so that they may be conveniently printed and used. Tickets sold on Ticket
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL AND ALL OTHER OU SPORTS Children five (5) and under are free.
Marketplace or shared with Ticket Sharing will be given attendance credit for those specific games.
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ATHLETICS
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GAYLORD FAMILY-OKLAHOMA MEMORIAL STADIUM
GATE 4
E7
GA T
T GA
E5
GATE 6
GATE 8
GATE 3 GATE 9
GATE 2 GATE 10
GATE 11
GATE 1 GATE 12
STUDENT SECTION
MEN’S BASKETBALL DONOR SEATING
MEN’S BASKETBALL DONOR SEATING W4
W3
W2
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DONOR SEATING
W5 W6
W1 LW 2
LW 3
LW 4
N1
LW 6
RW 2
RW 3
W7
S7
LW 2
N2
RW 5
LN 1
LS 4
S3
N4
RE 5
RE 3
LS 4
N5
RE1
RE 4
LS 2
S3
RE 2
LE 6 LE 4
LE 3
E7
E1 E6
E5
$750 DONATION PER SEAT RW1-RW5 & RE1-RE5
E4
E3
E2
RE 2
N5
LN 7
N6 LN 8
S1
LE 1 LE 5
LE 4
LE 3
N7
LE 2
E7
E1 E6
E5
E4
E3
E2
MAIN ENTRANCE
$100 DONATION PER SEAT E1, E2,E6, E7, W2-W6
$250 DONATION PER SEAT RW1-RW5 & RE1-RE5
NO DONATION REQUIRED Upper Bowl STUDENT SEATING LW 6
$250 DONATION PER SEAT LS1-LS8,LN1-LN2 & LN7-LN8
PUBLIC SEATING No donation required W1, W7, N1, N5-N7, S1-S7
$250 DONATION PER SEAT LE1-LE6 & LW1-LW5
$200 DONATION PER SEAT E3-E5
STUDENT SEATING LN3-LN6 and N2-N4
NO DONATION REQUIRED LS1-LS8, LN1-LN8
2014 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
RE 3
LE 6
MAIN ENTRANCE
$500 DONATION PER SEAT LE1-LE6 & LW1-LW6
N4 LN 5
LS 1
N7
LE 2
LN 4
RE1
RE 4
LS 2
S2
LE 1 LE 5
N3
LN 3
LN 6 RE 5
N6 LN 8
S1
RW 5
LS 3
LN 7
LS 1
22
S4
LN 6
LS 3
S2
LS 5
N2 LN 2
RW 4
RW 1
LS 6
LN 4
LN 5
RW 3
LLOYD NOBLE CENTER
S4
LLOYD NOBLE CENTER
LLOYD NOBLE CENTER
S5 LS 5
RW 2
N3
LN 3
N1
LW 5
LLOYD NOBLE CENTER
RW 1
LS 6
LW 4
LW 6
LS 7
S5
LW 3
LS 8
S6
LN 2
RW 4
W6
LW 1
LN 1
LS 8 LS 7
W5
W1
LW 5
LW 1
W4
W3
W2
W7
S7 S6
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL DONOR SEATING
INSPIRING CHAMPIONS The Inspiring Champions Circle is the Sooner Club’s elite giving level, representing donors who support Oklahoma Athletics with an additional gift in excess of $19,000 – the cost of a full scholarship for an OU student-athlete for one academic year. In addition to receiving all benefits of a Bud Wilkinson
Inspiring Champions members will also receive correspon-
Society member, Inspiring Champions Circle donors are
dence from an OU student-athlete throughout the year,
invited to an annual Inspiring Champions event with
showcasing their progress academically and with their
Athletics Director Joe Castiglione, head coaches and
respective Sooner team.
select student-athletes.
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
NUMBER OF STUDENT-ATHLETES
604
591
547
614
625
577
568
638
STUDENT-ATHLETES ON FULL OR PARTIAL ATHLETICS AID
377
374
385
394
396
421
418
477
$4,412 $12,300
$5,100 $13,390
$5,640 $14,760
$6,510 $16,470
$7,060 $17,040
$7,854 $18,285
$8,010 $18,962
$8,038 $19,674
TUITION: RESIDENT NON-RESIDENT
If you’re interested in joining the Inspiring Champions Circle or would like more information, please contact the Sooner Club at 405.325.8000 or 866.SOONER.CLUB.
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ATHLETICS
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2014 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE