Yosef Club hospitality

[Yosef84]

I've also heard hospitality is not coming back.
1. No convenient space to accommodate large crowd
2. Cost keeps escalating
3. Hosts to cater food becoming more difficult to secure

Great feature on a rainy or cold day. Since we have limited parking it fun to see friends that park in other lots there as well.
Overall, I get it, as we grow it becomes more difficult catering to large crowds. Plus with the beautiful setting of Boone why not stay outside and enjoy the fall weather!

Not you as I am not shooting the messenger but that is really weak. Number one just plain pisses me off as we just built a $50,000,000 space. 2and 3 are just excuses for not wanting to do it anymore.

Understand the frustration about #1. The new facility is for those that purchased seats in the NEZ on Gameday. There are a lot of perks that those seats come with and access to the 4th floor is one of them.

There are three other floors. To not have an area for YC members to gather on game day is ridiculous and shows very poor planning. Giving that building for the exclusive use of those seats is very short sited. The ball was dropped period. Our off field operations need to catch up to our on field accomplishments.

Again, understand your point and understand the frustration. The first floor is all weight room and locker rooms. Second floor is meeting rooms and coaches offices. Third floor is for the medical partner. The only space left is the floor space that leads out to the seats in the EZ. I don’t see a real issue with using it before game, say close it off to seat holders only 30 minutes prior to kickoff. I guess the pushback from the admins would be that you would have to open it up to anyone that gives at the $500 level, since that’s the minimum donation to buy seats. If you did that, you have a set capacity limit. Can you imagine a seat holder that couldn’t get in to his seat because he had to wait for people to leave? I sat in front of a guy at the 2007 Natty who was pissed that he gave $1500 a year and couldn’t see. There was probably a reason that they stopped the hospitality room. Maybe the attendance no longer justified the event. Don’t know. I doubt the decision was made without some thought and acknowledgement that some would not be pleased.

I get what you're saying and totally respect that you are defending the program. Frankly, I have no skin in the YC Hospitality room, but I can see how folks would be frustrated. Saying there is no space, seems like a weak excuse to me. So, even if the NEZ facility is maxed out, it would seem space has been vacated in the West side facility that could be used. Just saying. The reality is probably more likely budget crunches which isn't hard to understand given the last couple of years.

Regarding the NEZ facility, it is beautiful and I am proud of the addition to our facility! Just wanted to say that up front. That said, it does seem there was a miss in the conceptual / planning of this facility. I am still completely baffled in how this facility was built without better consideration to the visiting team locker rooms. I really don't like to be the complainer, but the idea of having the visiting team coming out of the West side facility and having to cross the largest population of home fans in the stadium remains an absolutely horrendous solution to me. I can't believe that was conceived as a long term solution.

[AppSt94]

I appreciate the cordial response. I’m not defending the program and I agree with you in that it seems like it was a missed opportunity. I get why it would be frustrating to some. Here is my over arching point. We don’t know of all of the thoughts, plan constraints, budget considerations and cost overruns that affected the decisions that were made. To your point about having more space in the West complex. Moving the football operations to the NEZ did create more space. What it allowed, was for all of the teams to move their operations under one roof instead of being spread out. As for the visiting team locker rooms, that could be a big issue but we will have to see how it plays out. I don’t take your concerns as complaints. I’m sure that if there were more transparency in the rationale, then more folks may be more understanding, even if they are still unhappy. There are aspects of the new NEZ facility that were initially conceptualized that aren’t likely to happen now.

[Gears]

They are slowly pushing the small donors to the side in search of the dollar. We have enjoyed the hospitality room for many, many years and it will be hard to find a new routine before the game. We met with friends from out of town and always had a great time…To enjoy the same thing now, I have to have NEZ seats? I had a friend that was a season ticket holder at Clemson for many years and they eventually priced him out. He played the carrot and stick game several years… “if you want the same level of perks, you will have to increase your donation” ….and that is the same thing that’s going on now at App.

I do enjoy giving back to the college my entire family has graduated from, but throw me a bone every now and then and show me you appreciate my donation…

[A2534]

On the zoom call last night they mentioned a "5th quarter" event following Elon & Homecoming games held at the NEZ field level with light food and drink after the game. Seems they are trying to do something! It was not mentioned at what donor level would have access. Doesn't really appeal to me as my kids are usually done after a full game day experience, but hopefully it works out!

Regarding the large crowds in hospitality, we filled up the Quinn center for most games and typically had people sitting on the floor, against the wall, etc. None of the new facilities are large enough to accommodate that type of crowd. I believe they attempted to have event at the cafeteria a few years once construction began (I never went, not as convenient).

As to pricing long time donors out, it stinks, but is the result of growth. My bet would be some type of hospitality will come back, but only for higher level donors once construction and pandemic settle down. Pandemic/construction/etc are an easy way to end a tradition and start something new at a higher donor level.

Go App!

[Rekdiver]

They are slowly pushing the small donors to the side in search of the dollar. We have enjoyed the hospitality room for many, many years and it will be hard to find a new routine before the game. We met with friends from out of town and always had a great time…To enjoy the same thing now, I have to have NEZ seats? I had a friend that was a season ticket holder at Clemson for many years and they eventually priced him out. He played the carrot and stick game several years… “if you want the same level of perks, you will have to increase your donation” ….and that is the same thing that’s going on now at App.

I do enjoy giving back to the college my entire family has graduated from, but throw me a bone every now and then and show me you appreciate my donation…

I’ve been a Club donor for30 years and I’ve been to the hospitality room maybe 3-4 times. I prefer the tailgate experience as do many of my friends who are also donors. My “bone” has been the growth of the program. I expect good stewardship of my donation and I have not been disappointed.

[Yosef84]

I would just remind people that, the University and the athletic program continue to endure a financial crisis created by a pandemic that has crippled revenue and required some extreme measures in order to even survive. I do understand that people miss things that have been a part of the experience, and I'm not saying they shouldn't. A little understanding on the context might be in order though. This financial crisis hit at a time when App was already spread thin after moving up and striving to grow into our new role as a conference leader. It is going to be a while before things actually return to "normal." I think some of these things will probably return in time, but let's not forget that the impact is still being felt.

[ArmantiWaterSafety]

I give to many charities and expect nothing in return. I give to other areas of Appalachian with no perks.

I understand you're point about competing with peers, but if our fanbase in full of alums that only give for the perks I'm not sure the traditional Mountaineer values we should have learned remain.

99% of people donate for selfish reasons, if even just to tell people that they donate to charities (not a dig on you as it was relevant to your comment, but we all know that person who brings up how much money they donate any chance they get to tell it).

I'll be the first to admit that the sole reason I started donating to Yosef Club was to get a good seat and a good parking spot, not because I wanted to fund scholarships. I'm extremely glad that the money is used for that purpose and I'm happy to be helping fund that, but I'm funding it because it gives me something in return, and I'm sure most people if they were honest would agree. Or maybe I'm just an a-hole, who knows.

[Rekdiver]

I’m gonna go ask my Priest what’s in it for me to put bucks in the plate…..

[AppSt94]

I give to many charities and expect nothing in return. I give to other areas of Appalachian with no perks.

I understand you're point about competing with peers, but if our fanbase in full of alums that only give for the perks I'm not sure the traditional Mountaineer values we should have learned remain.

99% of people donate for selfish reasons, if even just to tell people that they donate to charities (not a dig on you as it was relevant to your comment, but we all know that person who brings up how much money they donate any chance they get to tell it).

I'll be the first to admit that the sole reason I started donating to Yosef Club was to get a good seat and a good parking spot, not because I wanted to fund scholarships. I'm extremely glad that the money is used for that purpose and I'm happy to be helping fund that, but I'm funding it because it gives me something in return, and I'm sure most people if they were honest would agree. Or maybe I'm just an a-hole, who knows.

You are not an a-hole for that line of thinking. Those are actually great reasons for giving. I view seats and parking spots as great perks that cost the YC virtually nothing to offer, which means that is more money for the cause. Like you, I’m cool with the perks that don’t cut into the profit margin.

[bcoach]

Seems something is being forgotten. Not all above average donors want to sit in the end zone. We don't. So keeping the beloved facilities there for seat holders only is a little short sited.

[ArmantiWaterSafety]

I’m gonna go ask my Priest what’s in it for me to put bucks in the plate…..

I know this was rhetorical, but I'd say your belief that it's the right thing to do to be a good steward of your money based on your religion. Donating to cancer research helps save lives, donating to food banks gives people meals who otherwise wouldn't have it, etc.

I don't think many people have the belief that donating to scholarships is quite on the same level of any that (even though some people do worship football about as much) so we have to give perks in order to make people give their money to that.

[AppSt94]

Seems something is being forgotten. Not all above average donors want to sit in the end zone. We don't. So keeping the beloved facilities there for seat holders only is a little short sited.

Understand your point. Looking at from a purely economist lense. When completely sold out, (at 80% + now) those with seats in the NEZ represent $1 million in revenue generated for six days of use. That doesn’t include the YC donations. I’m not justifying it, but as fundraisers see it, that is a huge benchmark.

[huskie3]

Seems something is being forgotten. Not all above average donors want to sit in the end zone. We don't. So keeping the beloved facilities there for seat holders only is a little short sited.

Understand your point. Looking at from a purely economist lense. When completely sold out, (at 80% + now) those with seats in the NEZ represent $1 million in revenue generated for six days of use. That doesn’t include the YC donations. I’m not justifying it, but as fundraisers see it, that is a huge benchmark.

Make that $2 million initially ($1 thousand for the seat another thousand for the ticket) and a continuing $1 million each year (thousand for ticket).
I enjoy elevated end zone seats, just like being in the balcony of theater.

[Gears]

I am not a philanthropist on this website or in real life….App state has always been a big part of our life but if any nonprofit organization is going to succeed in this day and time, you have to incentivize donations. That warm fuzzy feeling of giving won’t last long for the majority of donors….Yes growth of the program is the top priority but giving alumni the opportunity to, “come back home” and enjoy a few perks that are a fraction of your donation is not too selfish in my mind. Tie me up to the statue of Jerry Moore and stone me on September 18th if I’m that far off base.

[mike87]

I’m gonna go ask my Priest what’s in it for me to put bucks in the plate…..

There is an end-game

[AppSt94]

I am not a philanthropist on this website or in real life….App state has always been a big part of our life but if any nonprofit organization is going to succeed in this day and time, you have to incentivize donations. That warm fuzzy feeling of giving won’t last long for the majority of donors….Yes growth of the program is the top priority but giving alumni the opportunity to, “come back home” and enjoy a few perks that are a fraction of your donation is not too selfish in my mind. Tie me up to the statue of Jerry Moore and stone me on September 18th if I’m that far off base.

So if I may pick your brain, as you seem to represent the silent majority. (Nothing wrong with that, btw). What types of incentives would entice you to give at a $250 level, $500 level, and even the $1000 level? I am genuinely interested in your thoughts.

[bcoach]

Seems something is being forgotten. Not all above average donors want to sit in the end zone. We don't. So keeping the beloved facilities there for seat holders only is a little short sited.

Understand your point. Looking at from a purely economist lense. When completely sold out, (at 80% + now) those with seats in the NEZ represent $1 million in revenue generated for six days of use. That doesn’t include the YC donations. I’m not justifying it, but as fundraisers see it, that is a huge benchmark.

Guess I am bad at making my point. If this had been well thought out to begin with the facility would have a place for YC members to gather before games. I understand that it is a problem now, but it was just poorly thought out.

[Rekdiver]

Well let me be a bit "elitest" here and play devil's advocate. Why should a YC member who gives $250 enjoy the same clubhouse perks that a $1,000 and above member does?

[bcoach]

Well let me be a bit "elitest" here and play devil's advocate. Why should a YC member who gives $250 enjoy the same clubhouse perks that a $1,000 and above member does?

t access
Well we are above the $1000 and will not have access. That is my point. My understanding is that it is for the end zone seats only regardless of what you give. Am I wrong?

[Gears]

The levels of giving have not changed in years. In 2020 they did change some, for example to gain access to the hospitality room, that level went to $1500. I just call it the way I see it, if the entire level of giving system could be tweaked I think it would benefit the Yosef club greatly…The majority of donors give less than $500…I am a firm believer in the Walmart strategy; let’s shoot for 5000 members donating $500 each versus a handful of donors giving $5000 each..Add the perks at that level to entice some of these young families to join and become active members and increase the perks for each level corresponding to the donation…you have to spend a little money to make a little money….