UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY
2016 GDAC MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
UALBANYSPORTS.COM/GDAC
Dear Great Dane Supporter, On behalf of our student-athletes, coaches, and administrators, thank you for being involved and taking the time to learn more about supporting the University at Albany’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. It is with great pride and excitement that I introduce our official athletic development program, the Great Dane Athletic Club (GDAC). I encourage you to read through this brochure as it outlines our current program and future giving opportunities.
Mark Benson Director of Athletics
Our student-athletes constantly strive for excellence in competition, in the classroom, and in the community. They are, simply put, GREAT LEADERS. GREAT CHAMPIONS. GREAT DANES. The mission of the Great Dane Athletic Club is to raise financial support for UAlbany Athletics and to ensure that our coaches and student-athletes have the resources necessary to achieve the highest levels of competitive and academic success. By becoming a member of the GDAC, you are investing in the lives of our hardworking student-athletes. The foundation of the Great Dane Athletic Club is our new annual giving program designed to reward your loyalty and support. As a GDAC member, you will be rewarded for your current level of support and lifetime giving to athletics (back to 1986), as well as consecutive years of season ticket purchases. This will create fair and equitable benefits to all of our donors and season ticket holders when it comes to ticket locations, parking, hospitality, postseason tickets, and other amenities as outlined within this brochure. The Great Dane Athletic Club also offers the opportunity to establish Scholarship Seating, meaning a donation is associated with a particular seat. Already present at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium in the Gold Level seats, Scholarship Seating will extend to additional sections for the 2017 football season. The same system will be applied at SEFCU Arena, with Scholarship Seating starting with our Gold Level Courtside seats for 2016-17 and extending into other sections for 2017-2018. The seat diagrams that follow will help you visualize Scholarship Seating and demonstrate that, while there will be a donation associated with your seat, the overall annual commitment will vary minimally. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Your partnership is truly valued as we implement the Great Dane Athletic Club and transition into Scholarship Seating. Thank you again for your commitment to Great Dane Athletics, and for continuing to inspire greatness in our student-athletes. Sincerely,
Mark Benson Director of Athletics
What is the Great Dane Athletic Club?
The Great Dane Athletic Club serves as the primary fundraising program for UAlbany Athletics, providing athletic scholarships, capital improvements and support of our student-athletes competing in the University’s 18 Division I varsity sports. We seek engaged and passionate supporters to build on the program’s success and take UAlbany Athletics to the next level of excellence.
Why We Need Your Support Your investment is a critical component of Great Dane success. It is important that our student-athletes have the support and backing of a strong fan base. Your commitment to UAlbany Athletics allows for enhanced academic support, new and improved facilities, and the hiring and retention of top coaches. As outlined on page four, the cost of competing at the highest level and providing a quality education for outstanding studentathletes is significant. The primary resource for meeting this need is revenue generated by the Great Dane Athletic Club (GDAC).
Sustaining our success – athletically and academically – requires that more fans, organizations and businesses become partners in the GDAC mission. Now is the time to get involved and secure the future of UAlbany Athletics. Membership runs on the calendar year and can begin with a gift of as little as $100 annually. This yearly contribution will count towards benefits such as seating, parking, and hospitality for both Men’s Basketball and Football. New members can contribute at any level, but must make a gift to activate their membership and receive certain benefits.
TABLE OF CONTENTS By the Numbers................... 3 Investing in Greatness......... 4 Benefits................................ 5 Priority Points and Scholarship Seating............ 6 Seating Diagrams.............7-8 Parking............................9-10 Hospitality.......................... 11 FAQ.................................... 12 How to Join........................ 13 Contact Us......................... 14
2
UAlbany Athletics By the Numbers EIGHTEEN
SPORTS
T E A MS
91
42
NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES
CONFERENCE
CHAMPIONS
3,000
2x winner
FOUR 2016 SUNY CHANCELLOR STUDENT ATHLETE AWARD WINNERS
$10,000,000
gift to Athletics from The Bernard and Millie Children’s Foundation
60 All-Academic Honorees STUDENT 2015-16 Conference
3
480
ATHLETES
Community Service Hours Annually
3.1 80%
CUMULATIVE
GPA FOR
ATHLETES R AT E
PAULA HEUSER Winner of the of the Tewaaraton prestigious Honda Sport Award for award given to the Field Hockey & most outstanding NFHCA National American college Player of the Year lacrosse player.
GRADUATION
LYLE THOMPSON
Investing In Greatness In October of 2015, UAlbany
Student-Athlete Annual Expenses
Athletics received a $10 million gift from The Bernard and Millie Children’s Foundation, which was
$$
$1,475
his wife Sharon (Casey) Duker,
Books:
and their son William “West”
$800
Duker. Thanks to the generosity
Meal Plan:
of the Duker family, the home
$4,690
to our Men’s Soccer, Women’s
Room:
Soccer, and Football programs
Mary Casey Stadium in honor of Sharon’s parents.
$19,590
Transportation and personal expenses:
established by William Duker ’75,
will now be known as Tom &
Out-of-state tuition:
$7,732
$
Fees:
$2,526
TOTAL: $36,813
4
GDAC Berm Hospitality Passes^ Priority to purchase Men’s Basketball Courtside Gold Seats Season Tickets #
SCHOLARSHIP SOCIETY $36,813
GDAC Thank You Item
GREATEST DANE $10,000
Complimentary Basketball Parking Pass*
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE $5,000
Complimentary Football Tailgate Parking Pass*
CAPTAIN’S CIRCLE $2,500
Post-season Ticket Priority
1844 CHAMPION $1,000
Recognition in Football/Basketball Program
GOLD DANE $500
Tax Deduction+
PURPLE DANE $250
Support of a Great Dane Student-Athlete
GREAT DANE $100
2016-17 Great Dane Athletic Club Benefits
Priority to purchase Football Gold Seat Season Tickets # Two (2) All-Sport Access Pass (Excludes MBB, FB) Courtside Corner Hospitality Passes ^ GDAC Premium Apparel Item Member of UAlbany Fund 1844 Society Pairing with a UAlbany Scholarship Athlete Invitation to Athletic Director’s Football Suite Personalized Parking in SEFCU Arena Lot*** VIP Team Travel Opportunity Invitation to President’s Football Suite UAlbany Athletic Experience * Complimentary parking will be allocated to season ticket holders based on your current Great Dane Athletic Club annual giving level and priority points within each level. Should demand exceed supply, complimentary parking will be offered in the next best available lot. 1-6 Season Tickets = 1 Pass 5
7-11 Season Tickets = 2 Passes
12+ Season Tickets = 3 Passes
^ Great Dane Athletic Club members will receive hospitality passes equivalent with the number of season tickets purchased *** Must have purchased both Men’s Basketball and Football season tickets # Tickets must be purchased in pairs
+ A portion of your donation will be tax deductible, the total amount that will be deductible is based on benefits received. If your contribution includes the option to purchase scholarship seating (and you did not decline this option at the time you made your donation), the IRS allows only 80% of the donation to be tax deductible. Other benefits available can further reduce deductibility and are listed on our website at www.ualbanysports.com/gdac
Priority Points The Priority Points program was created to provide a consistent, fair and equitable way to distribute and allocate donor benefits and other limited resources. Each category in the Priority Points program is assigned a specific point value. The point values from each category will be combined to create your point total. Each donor will then be assigned a rank
based on their point total within their annual giving level, in relation to all current Great Dane Athletic Club (GDAC) members. An annual gift is required to activate and maintain priority points. You can actively increase your points throughout the year by giving to the Great Dane Athletic Club. Priority points and rank can be viewed by logging into your online ticket account.
Point Category
Points awarded
Current Giving to Athletics (Restricted)
2 per $100
Current Giving to Athletics (Unrestricted)
5 per $100
Consecutive Years of Giving
5 per year
Lifetime Giving to Athletics
1 per $100
Consecutive Years Purchasing Season Tickets
5 per year
Current Faculty/Staff of University at Albany
10 points (one time)
Scholarship Seating
Scholarship Seating is defined by a donation associated with a specific seat, and the range of donation will vary based on the location. The following pages show the exact breakdown of Scholarship Seating at Casey Stadium and SEFCU Arena. It is important to understand that your annual Scholarship Seating donations at Casey Stadium also count towards SEFCU Arena. Example: If you purchase Purple Level Seats for the 2017 Football season, you would be eligible for Purple Level Seats for the 2017-18 Men’s Basketball season, without having to make additional per-seat donations.
The gifts associated with Scholarship Seating provide a complete collegiate experience for Great Dane student-athletes. Your donations not only help pay student-athlete scholarship costs (tuition, fees, books, and room and board), they also defer the costs associated with academic support, professional development, equipment, athletic medicine and much more. With your support, we will continue making these transformative experiences possible for every Great Dane student-athlete.
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Tom & Mary Casey Stadium Seating
For the 2016 season, the only areas of Tom & Mary Casey Stadium requiring a per-seat gift are the Gold Seats, located in sections 104,105 and 106. For the 2017 season, a flat ticket price will go in effect for most sections, while a per-seat gift to the Great Dane Athletic Club determines seat location.
2017 SEASON TICKET PRICING
2016 SEASON TICKET PRICING
VISITING TEAM BENCH
UAlbany Students
7
TEAM TUNNEL First Niagara Family Berm & Picnic Area
First Niagara Family Berm & Picnic Area
Seating Level GOLD PURPLE WHITE GRAY First Niagara Family Berm
UALBANY TEAM BENCH
VIDEOBOARD
VIDEOBOARD
TEAM TUNNEL
First Niagara Family Berm & Picnic Area
112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119
VISITING TEAM BENCH
First Niagara Family Berm & Picnic Area
112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119
UALBANY TEAM BENCH
109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101
109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101
208 207 206 205 204 203 202 201
208 207 206 205 204 203 202 201
PRESS BOX AND SUITES
PRESS BOX AND SUITES
Season Ticket Price $150 $150 $120 $90
GDAC Per Seat Donation $250 $0 $0 $0
Total Season Per Seat Commitment $400* $150 $120 $90
$50
$0
$50
Free w/ Valid Student ID
$0
$0
Faculty/Staff and Seniors (65+) receive 10% off the ticket price at any level
Seating Level GOLD PURPLE WHITE GRAY BLUE First Niagara Family Berm UAlbany Students
Season Ticket Price $150 $100 $100 $100 $100
GDAC Per Seat Donation $250 $100 $50 $25 $0
Total Season Per Seat Commitment $400* $200 $150 $125 $100
$75
$0
$75
Free w/ Valid Student ID
$0
$0
* Must purchase tickets in pairs in the Gold Level
SEFCU Arena Seating
For the 2016-17 season, the only areas of SEFCU Arena requiring a per-seat gift are the Gold Seats, located in sections AA and BB. For the 2017-18 season, a flat ticket price will go in effect for most sections, while a per-seat gift to the Great Dane Athletic Club determines seat location.
2016-17 SEASON TICKET PRICING 550
A-N
C-G
O-Z
H-Z
VISITOR BENCH
600 C-Y
650
700
500
550
C-G
A-N
A-N
C-G
H-Z
O-Z
O-Z
UALBANY BENCH
VISITOR BENCH
400 350
450 400 350 UAlbany Students
H-Z
H-Z
250
Season Ticket Price $300 $250 $200 $150 $100 Free w/ Valid Student ID
C-Y
200
150
650
700
C-G
A-N
H-Z
O-Z
UALBANY BENCH
850
850
Seating Level ROW AA ROW BB PURPLE WHITE GRAY
C-G
C-Y
800
800
O-Z
300
C-G
600
750
750
COURTSIDE SEATING
A-N
H-Z
450
500
2017-18 SEASON TICKET PRICING
COURTSIDE SEATING
A-N
A-N O-Z
O-Z
100
300
GDAC Per Seat Donation $250 $200 $0 $0 $0
Total Season Per Seat Commitment $550* $450* $200 $150 $100
Seating Level ROW AA ROW BB PURPLE WHITE GRAY
$0
$0
UAlbany Students
Faculty/Staff and Seniors (65+) receive 10% off the ticket price at any level
C-G
C-G
H-Z
H-Z
250
Season Ticket Price $300 $250 $150 $150 $150 Free w/ Valid Student ID
* Must purchase tickets in pairs in the Gold Level
C-Y
200
150
A-N O-Z
100
GDAC Per Seat Donation $250 $200 $100 $50 $0
Total Season Per Seat Commitment $550* $450* $250 $200 $150
$0
$0
8
Parking Info DUTCH QUAD LOT
PARKING PASSES
To show appreciation to members of the Great Dane Athletic Club (GDAC), parking for both Men’s Basketball and Football will be complimentary and allocated based on annual giving level and priority points within each level. Complimentary parking will be provided in the Dutch Lot to season ticket holders who donate at the Great Dane ($100-249) and Purple Dane ($250-499) levels, annually to GDAC.
This chart will help explain the number of complimentary parking passes you will receive based on the number of season tickets you purchase. Only one gift is required per year to activate benefits, such as parking, for football and/or basketball.
SEFCU LOT GDAC members who contribute at or above the “Gold Dane” level ($500+) will be eligible for complimentary parking in the SEFCU Lot. These parking spaces will be allocated yearly, based on annual giving level and priority points within each level. Should inventory become available, GDAC members that were allocated in Dutch Lot will be upgraded to SEFCU Lot based on their priority points and ranking within their level, and vice versa. Should demand exceed supply, complimentary parking will be allocated to Dutch Quad Lot. Donors who receive parking passes to the SEFCU Lot this season will also have the opportunity for valet parking, new for 2016. This dual pass gives you the opportunity to choose which lot best fits your needs for that particular game day.
ADDITIONAL PARKING 9
Should you wish to purchase additional parking beyond your complimentary allotment please contact 518-442-DANE.
Number of Season Tickets Purchased
Number of Complimentary Parking Passes
1-6
1
7-11
2
12+
3
HANDICAPPED PARKING You may request a season-long handicapped parking pass through the Great Dane Ticket Office. Proof of an authorized and valid handicap parking pass must be provided. Handicapped parking will be made available in both the SEFCU Parking Lot and in the strip lot next to the Physical Education Building. Priority for handicapped parking spaces in the SEFCU parking lot will be allocated to season ticket holders based upon annual giving level and priority points within each level.
LOT STATE QUAD LOT
Route continues around campus to University Drive West State Drive
COLONIAL QUAD LOTS
STATE LOT Carillon Drive East
UAlbany Uptown Campus
Un
iver
sit y Drive Ea
st
Carillon Drive West
Center Drive E.
Center Drive W.
Tri-Centennial Drive
W
est
INDIAN QUAD LOT
r iv
e
Indian Dr.
D
$$
Cash Only Entrance
PP
Parking Pass Only Entrance
SEFCU ARENA
SEFCU LOT
Route only for Parking Passes
Un
Route only for Cash Parking Fan Bus Route Handicapped Entrance/Drop Off
*For questions regarding ADA parking, please contact the UAlbany Ticket Office
U
niv
e r s it
i ve
r
y sit
Dr
iv
PP y Dr ive West
Western Avenue Entrance
Wes
t
ve n u er n A
e (R
University Place
PP
r i ve
st
ne D
Ea
Fuller Road
G r e at D a
e
PP
Valet
$$
MEDIA
DUTCH QUAD LOT
U n i ve r
$$
GOLD LOT
Alumni Drive
e
sit y Dr ive East
Jus t i c
Dr
Un
iv e
i ve
rs
i
ty
) t. 20
10
Hospitality
11
FOOTBALL
BASKETBALL
To improve fan and donor experience, UAlbany Athletics and the Great Dane Athletic Club will introduce the “Gold Level” initiative. Sections 104, 105, 106, within Casey Stadium will now have a gated club atmosphere with hospitality including cash bar and in-seat food and beverage service. Those who purchase season tickets within this section will receive a credentialed pass that will allow them access to the Gold Level seating and this donor-only hospitality area.
For the 2016-17 Basketball season, the Great Dane Athletic Club will continue to utilize “Courtside Corner”, located next to Section 300 of SEFCU Arena. This hospitality area offers a lounge atmosphere for members to enjoy complimentary food and beverage, as well as a cash bar. This area is only available to donors of the Great Dane Athletic Club at or above the “1844 Champion” ($1,000) giving level.
For those who have not purchased Gold Level seating, but are members of the Great Dane Athletic Club, we are proud to offer the GDAC Berm Hospitality Area. This area, located near the north end of the stadium, offers a great view of the action, as well as the opportunity to purchase food, soft drinks, beer and wine. All members of the Great Dane Athletic Club will receive wrist bands commensurate with the number of season tickets purchased that will grant them access to this hospitality area.
The “Gold Level” initiative will also carry into the 2016-17 Basketball season. For those donors who have purchased season tickets on the floor of SEFCU Arena, we will offer in-seat service including food, soft drinks beer and wine to further enhance the game-day atmosphere of UAlbany Basketball. As an added amenity, those who purchase season tickets on the floor of SEFCU Arena will also receive wrist bands commensurate with the number of season tickets purchased, granting them access to “Courtside Corner.”
FAQ Q: A:
How do I become a member of the Great Dane Athletic Club?
Q: A:
Why should I donate to the Great Dane Athletic Club?
You can become a member of the GDAC by donating a minimum of $100 to the GDAC. There are also a variety of other ways to support UAlbany Athletics.
Private support is crucial to the success of UAlbany’s Athletic Department, which relies on self-generated revenues to operate. Your individual support helps talented young people receive a quality education from UAlbany while also ensuring they have all the tools necessary to compete at the highest level of competition.
Q:
What benefits do I receive for becoming a member of the Great Dane Athletic Club?
A:
GDAC members receive a variety of membership benefits which include, but are not limited to, invitations to GDAC functions and priority seating options for Football and Men’s Basketball. For a complete breakdown of benefits and annual giving levels, please refer to the Benefits Chart on page 5.
Q: A:
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes, a portion of your donation will be tax deductible. The total amount that will be deductible is based on benefits received. If your contribution includes the option to purchase scholarship seating (and you did not decline this option at the time you made your donation), the IRS allows only 80% of the donation to be tax deductible. Other benefits available can further reduce deductibility and are listed on our website at www.ualbanysports.com/gdac.
Q: A:
What is the Priority Points Program?
The Priority Points Program was designed to reward those who have demonstrated longterm giving and generosity towards UAlbany Athletics. It is used to determine seating at away games, post-season tournaments, parking allocation and new season ticket requests.
Q: A:
What is the best way to increase my Priority Point Standing?
Q:
Does my gift to The Great Dane Athletic Club provide me benefits for both Football and Basketball seasons?
Increasing your annual giving level and purchasing season tickets are the easiest ways to increase your Priority Point standing.
A:
Yes! The annual fund gift you make will cover any per-seat gift minimums for both Football and Basketball seasons, as well hospitality and parking benefits for both sports.
Q:
Who is a representative of UAlbany Athletic Interest per NCAA Compliance regulations?
A:
You are a Representative of Athletics Interests if ANY of the following applies:
• You are the parent or legal guardian of an enrolled student-athlete • You are faculty or staff of UAlbany • You are a former student or fan of UAlbany • You are or have ever have been a season ticket holder • You are or have been a member/donor of the Great Dane Athletic Club or Great Dane Athletics
•Y ou have participated in promoting the UAlbany Athletics program •Y ou have assisted or have been requested to assist in the recruitment of prospects •Y ou have provided NCAA permissible benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their families •Y ou currently employ or have previously provided or helped arrange employment for enrolled studentathletes or prospective student-athletes who have signed a National Letter of Intent •O nce an individual has been identified as a Representative of Athletic Interest, how long does he/she retain this identity? Forever.
Q:
Is it possible to become a Representative of Athletic Interest without doing anything listed above?
A:
Yes. The NCAA has developed guidelines determining whether or not an individual has become a Representative of Athletic Interest and/or provided a student-athlete, their relatives or friends with an impermissible benefit. In addition, a person can be a representative of more than one institution. For questions regarding your relationship with the University as a Representative of Athletic Interest please contact: Melissa Peach Associate Athletic Director for Compliance 518-442-3005 mpeach@albany.edu Twitter: @UAlbanyBylaws Jose Genao Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance 518-442-3045 jgenao@albany.edu
• You have made any financial contributions to UAlbany 12
Become a member of GDAC today! Gifts of all sizes have a positive impact on UAlbany Athletics. There are many ways in which you can provide your support but we recommend using our new donor portal on www.ualbanysports.com/gdac. By creating an online profile, you can easily manage your ticket account and make gifts to the Great Dane Athletic Club. It’s the easiest way to stay up to date with your Great Danes!
ONLINE GIFTS Make a gift using our online giving form through www.ualbanysports.com/gdac. It is the most secure and convenient way to make a gift to the Great Dane Athletic Club.
OTHER WAYS TO GIVE By Mail: C hecks should be made payable to: The University at Albany Foundation and mailed to: Great Dane Athletic Club c/o The University at Albany Foundation UAB 226 1400 Washington Ave Albany, NY 12222
By Phone: To make a gift over the phone please contact:
Justin Brown, Assistant Director for Annual Giving, Athletics 518-437-4774
Payroll Deduction: U Albany faculty and staff may also sign up for automatic payroll deduction by
completing the Faculty/Staff Pledge form located on www.ualbanysports.com/gdac
www.ualbanysports.com/gdac 13
Casey W. Crandall ’07, ’12 Director of Development for UAlbany Athletics University at Albany • UAB 209 1400 Washington Avenue Albany, New York 12222 518-437-4969
Nate Mason Assistant Athletic Director: Ticket Sales SEFCU Arena Box Office 1400 Washington Avenue Albany, New York 12222 518-442-3203
ccrandall@albany.edu
nmason@albany.edu
Justin J. Brown
James Troutman
Assistant Director of Annual Giving, UAlbany Athletics University at Albany • UAB 209 1400 Washington Avenue Albany, New York 12222 518-437-4774
jjbrown@albany.edu
Ticket Manager SEFCU Arena Box Office 1400 Washington Avenue Albany, New York 12222 518-437-4415
jtroutman@albany.edu 14
Non-Profit U.S. Postage
PAID
Albany, NY 12222 Permit No. 205
University Development UNH 305 University at Albany 1400 Washington Avenue Albany, New York 12222
ualbanysports.com/gdac
GREAT LEADERS • GREAT CHAMPIONS • GREAT DANES