SUU THUNDERBIRD CLUB MEMBERSHIP GUIDE 2013–14
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT These are exciting times for Southern Utah University Athletics. The much-anticipated move into the Big Sky Conference, coupled with improvements to many of our sport facilities, has elevated the level of excitement for our student-athletes, coaches, fans and the community. This is truly a great time to be a Thunderbird! The recent advancements in our athletics programs are directly linked to the increasing support the Thunderbird Club has received over the past few years. Your generous support of the Thunderbird Club has assisted in providing a high-quality educational experience for our student-athletes and enabled us to provide the necessary amenities to help each of them achieve their academic and athletic goals. The future is bright and I look forward to working with you to advance the mission of the University through a strong and viable athletics program. —Ken Beazer, SUU Athletic Director
JOIN OUR TEAM Welcome to an exciting new year in Thunderbird Athletics. Our first year performance in the Big Sky sent out the message that we belong and are a force to contend with. Our athletes have shown great enthusiasm, pride and character as they take on some of the best teams in the country. They have made us proud and will continue to do so. The Thunderbird Club is comprised of generous and loyal supporters dedicated to advancing Athletics at SUU. By becoming a contributor, or maintaining your current contributions, you help support our student-athletes in their search for excellence, both in the classroom and in their chosen sport. Please join us in supporting these talented athletes. Your contributions, be they large or small, make a significant difference in helping our program grow. Go Thunderbirds! —Jennifer Oberhelman, Thunderbird Club President
YOUR MEMBERSHIP STARTS HERE CIRCLE OF CHAMPIONS
Benefits*
Starter $100
Captain $250
Gold $1,000
Platinum $3,000
Coaches Club $5,000
Director’s Club $10,000
President’s Club $20,000
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Scarlet $500
Special Athletics Recognition Athletic Director Suite Invite Dinner with Coach Nick Travel with Football Team Exclusive Appreciation Gift Coaches Apparel Signed Memorabilia Head Coach “Access” Postseason Ticket Priority Women’s Sports Pass Fall Social Tickets Coaches Luncheon Tickets
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VIP Parking Men’s Basketball Priority Seating Football Priority Seating
All levels receive an opportunity to help student-athletes on the field, in the classroom, and within the community, along with these other benefits:
Tax deduction** Recognition decal T-Bird Club e-newsletter 20% discount at the Coaches Luncheons
Game program and web recognition 20% off all SUU merchandise at the SUU Bookstore
* Renewable on annual basis Subject to change ** Please consult your tax advisor
SUPPORT IS KEY The Thunderbird Club and its members do so much to support our student-athletes here at SUU. I truly believe that it is an integral piece to the overall success of SUU Athletics. —J.R. Payne, SUU Women’s Basketball Head Coach
PRIORITY SEATING FOR THE THUNDERBIRD CLUB The Athletics Department uses a priority seating program for football and men’s basketball. This type of plan has long been identified as a “best practice” for NCAA Division I programs throughout the nation, as well as in the state. This priority seating program was created to most effectively allocate the quantity and quality of tickets to athletic events that are anticipated to have a high demand, allowing us to reward individuals and organizations for their investment in the University through the Thunderbird Club. In addition, this seating program will help us in our efforts as we look to further our athletic teams. We are excited about the changes and improvements this will bring to your athletic experience through out the years.
FIRST IN LINE The best seating is reserved for Thunderbird Club members and in addition to the many Thunderbird Club benefits, members are given the first opportunity to select preferred season tickets in their chosen location. Your opportunity to purchase priority seating is available, starting with an annual $100 monetary contribution to the Thunderbird Club. You can purchase your season tickets and sign up to be a member of the Thunderbird Club at tbirdtickets.com, or through the Centrum Ticket Office by calling (435) 5867872. As always, there are ticketing options available without a Thunderbird Club Membership as well.
KNOW YOUR TEAM Through our regularly scheduled Thunderbird Club activities, you’ll have a chance to get to know the studentathletes that you are helping. —Ed Lamb, SUU Football Head Coach
The relationship that our Thunderbird Club members and student-athletes build is priceless. —Debby Baker, SUU Volleyball Head Coach
2013-14 SOUTHERN UTAH SEATING CHARTS Southeast Entrance
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A L S E AT I N G
University Blvd.
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THU ND E R B I R D S
S O U THE R N U TA H
Northeast Entrance
SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY
J
I
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G
F Restrooms
Box Office
Press Box & Luxury Suites
Northwest Entrance
Southwest Entrance
1150 West
SUU Eccles Coliseum Seating Chart $250 TBC Donation Reserved Seating
Student Section
Reserved Bleacher Seating
$100 TBC Donation Reserved Seating
Reserved Chairback Seating
Visitor Seating
West Entrance & Box Office
East Entrance
SOUTHERN UTAH
THUNDERBIRDS
VISITOR BENCH
THUNDERBIRDS
SOUTHERN UTAH
HOME BENCH
SUU Centrum Seating Chart $250 TBC Donation Reserved Seating
Student Section
$100 TBC Donation Reserved Seating
Reserved Seating
QUESTIONS We appreciate your support and involvement with SUU Athletics. Please visit our FAQ page at suutbirdclub.com/questions, or contact us directly with any questions you may have. Below is a short list of our most often frequently asked questions: What is the Thunderbird Club? The Thunderbird club is the “Team Behind the Teams” at SUU Athletics! As such, we promote positive awareness and help to raise necessary funding for scholarships and to the advancement of our programs. Is there a deadline to reserve my tickets? Your previous seats will always roll over to the 2013-14 season. However, these seats must be purchased before August 1st for football, and October 10th for basketball. All unreserved seats will be released to the public at this time. What is priority seating? Beginning with the 2012-13 season, all seating is reserved with limited exceptions. However, the priority seating applies to the premium areas that are reserved for Thunderbird Club members. Can I keep or improve my seats each year? Yes, Thunderbird Club members who make the minimum contribution and meet the deadlines each year will have the first opportunity to renew their seats each year. During the renewal process Thunderbird Club members will also have the opportunity to request an improvement in their seating. Do the contributions I make for football seats count for my basketball seats too? Yes, your yearly seating obligation will apply to both football and men’s basketball. For more information, contact the Thunderbird Club Office at 435-865-8770.
BUILDING A TRADITION “Thank you to all the past, current, and future Thunderbird Club members. Your support will continue to elevate our programs and the overall college experience of each student-athlete at SUU.” —Nick Robinson, SUU Men’s Basketball Head Coach
THANK YOU “I’m so grateful for my time at SUU. The scholarship afforded me the opportunity to study toward my career goals, while playing the sport that I love.” —Brad Sorenson, SUU Student-Athlete
THANK YOU “SUU has been really good for me academically and athletically. I would like to thank the Athletics staff for believing in me and supporting me even through the tough times.” —Cam Levins, SUU Student-Athlete
THANK YOU “My athletic scholarship has given me the experience of a lifetime. Growing up it was always my goal to earn a scholarship to compete in gymnastics at a university. SUU made that dream come true. The University has been a perfect fit for me. I have wonderful teammates and supportive coaches, and it is the best feeling in the world competing in front of a crowd that supports our team so much. Most of all, I will leave with a four-year college degree. I will be forever thankful to SUU for this experience and opportunity.” —Alissa Click, SUU Student-Athlete
MeMBeRshiP APPLiCAtion SUU Thunderbird Club will not disclose your information to any party outside of SUU Athletics. Your information will only be used in contacting you about upcoming events and promotions. If you have any questions about our privacy policy, don’t hesitate to ask.
NAME(PRINT)
SIGNIFICANT OTHER
COMPANY Please check the box on how you would like to be recognized through out the year:
❏ Your Name
❏ As a Couple
❏ Your Company’s Name
MAILING ADDRESS CITY
STATE
DAYTIME PHONE
ZIP CODE
MOBILE PHONE
EMAIL ADDRESS
Gift AMoUnt ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏
Starter Captain Scarlet Gold Platinum Coach’s Club Director’s Club President’s Club Other
$100 $250 $500 $1,000 $3,000 $5,000 $10,000 $20,000 $______
PAYMent oPtions ❏ Check or money order Payable to SUU Thunderbird Club ❏ Credit Card Please call SUU’s Ticket Office at (435) 586-7872, or visit online at tbirdtickets.com ❏ SUU Employee Payroll Deduction ❏ Waive Benefits To Receive 100% Tax Deduction
Methods of Giving Annual Gifts
Annual cash, checks or credit card payment gifts are the most direct means of supporting Thunderbird Athletics.
Matching Gifts
You or your spouse may have an affiliation with one of the 600 matching gift companies in the U.S. Through such a program, your firm may match the value of your gift to the Thunderbird Club, increasing your level of benefit.
Gifts-In-Kind
Thunderbird Club benefits are available to individuals or companies for goods or services provided in lieu of cash gifts if such gifts represent a direct savings to the athletic department’s annual budget.
Gifts of Investment
Securities, real property and tangible personal property are all special gifts accepted by SUU that often provide significant tax savings.
Planned Gifts
Planned gifts for the future benefit of SUU Athletics can be made through wills, bequests, gifts of real estate, life insurance and pooled income funds.
Endowed Funds
Endowment funds are held in perpetuity, using the interest to fund scholarships according to the donor’s wishes. Endowed scholarships are created with a suggested minimum contribution of $25,000.
Naming Opportunities
A number of venues which may be named after a family member or friend are available within the SUU Athletics facilities and grounds.
Additional Gifts to Facilities
Funds to benefit athletic facilities are vital to the success of Thunderbird Athletics. Members can make a one-time gift for facility enhancement in addition to their Thunderbird Club contribution.
Committed to athletic and academic excellence, the Thunderbird Club provides scholarships and support for studentathletes at Southern Utah University.
Southern Utah University 351 W. University Blvd. Cedar City, Utah 84720 435-865-8770 www.suutbirds.com