For today's Warchant Radio broadcast, Gene interviewed Jerry Kutz, senior VP with Seminole Boosters, about a variety of topics, including possible changes to the football season ticket priority process. Since not everyone will get the chance to listen to the audio, here are some of the notes I came away with from the interview. At the end, I'll include the link for Warchant Radio, where you can hear the whole interview.
Jerry first gave an update on the annual fund and where things stand -- Jerry said they have brought in about 90 percent of what they did last year and he thinks they still have a chance to exceed last year's total. (My comment: that's very impressive when you consider that the annual fund is largely based on donations that are tied to football season ticket purchases, and many feel this year's home schedule is not quite as enticing as last year's.)
Jerry also talked about possible changes to FSU's football season ticket priority policy – He said the most recent changes were in 2001 and 2006. They were scheduled to make changes again in 2011, but decided not to because of the economy and the recent coaching change. Jerry explained some of the research that goes into that process and explained that the Boosters will make a recommendation to FSU's athletic board in September, and that board will make the final call.
Jerry said the plan isn't going to be a simple increase in donation requirements across the board. He said they are examining a new system of prioritization, where tickets on the East side of the stadium would require a smaller contribution than the West side because there is greater demand on the West side. And tickets closer to the 50-yard line will require a higher contribution than seats closer to the goal lines. So while the goal is to raise money to pay for stadium improvements, etc., he said they also are trying to find a more equitable process than what they've used in the past.
Jerry said they also want to do more to reward longtime season ticket holders and donors. Right now, there is credit given to people who have supported the program for 5 and 10 years. They're looking at more giving more credit for people who have been supporting program even longer. The goal, he said, is to “reward loyalty.”
Jerry also talked about the Champions Club project -- He said they have sold about 35 percent of the seats already, which is "ahead of schedule." He said the goal is to have 60 percent sold by opening day 2016. That would put the project in the black financially. People who order now are getting a discount and also preference in seat location. But they understand that many people will want to see the Club section in person next year before committing to buying.
From talking with officials from other stadiums/teams/schools, Jerry said the goal is to have 60 percent of tickets sold the first year. That usually leads to 85-90 percent being sold the next year. And sellouts the following year. So that will be the goal.
Jerry also gave an update on College Town, which recently entered Phase II. He said there will be more residential development coming to the area as well as more retail and commercial. He mentioned the Beer Garden that is coming, which Madison Social will be a part of. And also how College Town is attracting other businesses, such as the CVS that recently opened on Pensacola and the Publix that is coming to Gaines. He said all of that will enhance the game-day experience.
He also noted that there will be Friday night events at the Champions Club when that opens in '16. And since that is within walking distance of College Town, they think that will become a hub for Seminole fans on game weekend nights as well.
As for stadium improvements, Jerry gave the following timeline: They spent $7 million recently on having rust removed from the structure inside Doak Campbell Stadium. ... Elevators to the Champions Club are being installed now. ... After the 2015 season, they will demolish the south end zone, take out the bleachers and build the Champions Club over the next nine months. ... At the same time, they will be sandblasting the inside bowl of the stadium and also the concourse areas under the stadium. Then after the 2016 season, they plan to repair and improve the restrooms. “The end product will be a freshly painted stadium. So the stadium should look cleaner,” Kutz said. ... They also are looking at installing a new large scoreboard in the north end zone and a new larger scoreboard in the south end zone. The funding for all of this will come from the Champions Club and the new ticket priority plan.
Finally, Jerry talked about the Boosters' ongoing $250 million Champions Campaign, which is part of FSU's overall $1 billion Raise the Torch fundraising campaign. Jerry said the boosters are just past 80 percent of their goal, and that the university is at more than 60 percent of their goal. He said both are ahead of schedule.
At the end, Jerry also provided his cell phone number (850-508-8690) and email address (jkutz@fsu.edu) for people who have questions and who might want to schedule a tour of the Champions Club and learn more about the projects.
Thanks so much to Jerry and the Boosters for sharing this information with our readers (and listeners). And as a reminder, you can listen to the whole Aug. 20 Warchant Radio show here. Jerry's interview is in the second half of the show.
Jerry first gave an update on the annual fund and where things stand -- Jerry said they have brought in about 90 percent of what they did last year and he thinks they still have a chance to exceed last year's total. (My comment: that's very impressive when you consider that the annual fund is largely based on donations that are tied to football season ticket purchases, and many feel this year's home schedule is not quite as enticing as last year's.)
Jerry also talked about possible changes to FSU's football season ticket priority policy – He said the most recent changes were in 2001 and 2006. They were scheduled to make changes again in 2011, but decided not to because of the economy and the recent coaching change. Jerry explained some of the research that goes into that process and explained that the Boosters will make a recommendation to FSU's athletic board in September, and that board will make the final call.
Jerry said the plan isn't going to be a simple increase in donation requirements across the board. He said they are examining a new system of prioritization, where tickets on the East side of the stadium would require a smaller contribution than the West side because there is greater demand on the West side. And tickets closer to the 50-yard line will require a higher contribution than seats closer to the goal lines. So while the goal is to raise money to pay for stadium improvements, etc., he said they also are trying to find a more equitable process than what they've used in the past.
Jerry said they also want to do more to reward longtime season ticket holders and donors. Right now, there is credit given to people who have supported the program for 5 and 10 years. They're looking at more giving more credit for people who have been supporting program even longer. The goal, he said, is to “reward loyalty.”
Jerry also talked about the Champions Club project -- He said they have sold about 35 percent of the seats already, which is "ahead of schedule." He said the goal is to have 60 percent sold by opening day 2016. That would put the project in the black financially. People who order now are getting a discount and also preference in seat location. But they understand that many people will want to see the Club section in person next year before committing to buying.
From talking with officials from other stadiums/teams/schools, Jerry said the goal is to have 60 percent of tickets sold the first year. That usually leads to 85-90 percent being sold the next year. And sellouts the following year. So that will be the goal.
Jerry also gave an update on College Town, which recently entered Phase II. He said there will be more residential development coming to the area as well as more retail and commercial. He mentioned the Beer Garden that is coming, which Madison Social will be a part of. And also how College Town is attracting other businesses, such as the CVS that recently opened on Pensacola and the Publix that is coming to Gaines. He said all of that will enhance the game-day experience.
He also noted that there will be Friday night events at the Champions Club when that opens in '16. And since that is within walking distance of College Town, they think that will become a hub for Seminole fans on game weekend nights as well.
As for stadium improvements, Jerry gave the following timeline: They spent $7 million recently on having rust removed from the structure inside Doak Campbell Stadium. ... Elevators to the Champions Club are being installed now. ... After the 2015 season, they will demolish the south end zone, take out the bleachers and build the Champions Club over the next nine months. ... At the same time, they will be sandblasting the inside bowl of the stadium and also the concourse areas under the stadium. Then after the 2016 season, they plan to repair and improve the restrooms. “The end product will be a freshly painted stadium. So the stadium should look cleaner,” Kutz said. ... They also are looking at installing a new large scoreboard in the north end zone and a new larger scoreboard in the south end zone. The funding for all of this will come from the Champions Club and the new ticket priority plan.
Finally, Jerry talked about the Boosters' ongoing $250 million Champions Campaign, which is part of FSU's overall $1 billion Raise the Torch fundraising campaign. Jerry said the boosters are just past 80 percent of their goal, and that the university is at more than 60 percent of their goal. He said both are ahead of schedule.
At the end, Jerry also provided his cell phone number (850-508-8690) and email address (jkutz@fsu.edu) for people who have questions and who might want to schedule a tour of the Champions Club and learn more about the projects.
Thanks so much to Jerry and the Boosters for sharing this information with our readers (and listeners). And as a reminder, you can listen to the whole Aug. 20 Warchant Radio show here. Jerry's interview is in the second half of the show.
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