KENNESAW STATE
Introducing the Kennesaw State Athletics Priority Points System and Football Letter of Intent Program
GREETINGS FROM VAUGHN WILLIAMS
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A WORD FROM VINCE DOOLEY
fter many months of hard work and preparation, we are humbled to finally proclaim that, for Kennesaw State, It’s Our Time.
Football now has a home in the heart of Northwest Georgia at Kennesaw State University. This journey which we now embark upon promises to not only transform Kennesaw State’s Department of Athletics, but to enhance the overall mission of the University. With the establishment of a football program, we begin to realize the greater vision for Kennesaw State Athletics. As we continue our quest toward excellence and further national prominence, Kennesaw State University takes a great stride in the direction of our goals with this decision. Football at Kennesaw State is much more than just an Athletics venture. It is a force that will invigorate the greater Owl family, providing a new level of excitement and offering experiences never before shared on this campus. The Department of Athletics will continue to seize the momentum that has already begun to build. We will elevate our programs to new heights and will set the stage for unmatched excellence as we prepare for our inaugural season in 2015. As this next chapter for Kennesaw State University and Owl Athletics unfolds, we hope that you will join us. A new era has officially begun. Kennesaw State, It’s Our Time. Go Owls!
Vaughn Williams Director of Athletics
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t has been an honor and a privilege for me these past few years to consult with the leadership of Kennesaw State University as the Institution moves forward in its goal of establishing a football program. It has been especially rewarding to work with KSU President Dan Papp, KSU Foundation Chief Operating Officer Richard Corhen, Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams, the administration, faculty, staff, students and community leaders on this exciting project. Further it has been inspiring to witness the personal pride and collective spirit of those that make up the KSU family. The future of KSU football is very bright and promising, and I am proud to be a small part of it. Go Owls!
PRIORITY
POINTS SEATING AND
INTRODUCING
PRIORITY
THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE KENNESAW STATE PRIORITY POINTS SEATING PLAN IS TO ACHIEVE AN EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF SEATING.
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n the spirit of loyalty and in recognition of the generosity of those who support Owl Athletics, The Owls Fund has developed a Priority Points System to fairly rank all athletics supporters and involve them directly in the selection of their football season tickets. The intent of our policy is to reward those who have been supporters of Kennesaw State Athletics while allowing new supporters the ability to acquire appropriate seating given their annual contributions to The Owls Fund.
Priority Points are awarded to donors based on several criteria, including cumulative and annual support of Kennesaw State Athletics, purchasing season tickets to various ticketed sports, being an alumnus and more. The accumulated Priority Points total will determine when you can select your seats in relation to other supporters of the athletics program. Your current Owls Fund giving level will determine the number of seats you may purchase and the section you may select. All donors will be mailed their first cumulative Priority Points statement in the spring of 2013.
REASONS FOR DEVELOPING A PRIORITY SEATING & PARKING POLICY FOR KENNESAW STATE ATHLETICS: Ensure overall fairness by reflecting each donor’s ranking within The Owls Fund and Priority Points System. Reward those who have been loyal donors and/or season ticket holders, have increased their annual giving, made capital or endowment gifts and given consistently over time. Allow donors to secure football parking locations that reflect their standing within The Owls Fund and Priority Points System. Allow The Department of Athletics flexibility to review the seating and parking policy every three years to maintain a system of equity in seat assignments.
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HOW PRIORITY POINTS WILL BE AWARDED All Priority Points are accumulated and awarded based on your previous and current support of Kennesaw State Athletics.
Tremendous thought and care went into developing the Priority Points System for our seating and parking policies. This brochure explains the rationale for the policies, how the Priority Points System works and gives you a first glimpse of seating for football. In the future, separate information will provide further details on the Seat Selection process for football.
Description of Support • • • • • • • • •
Number of Priority Points
Current year’s giving to The Owls Fund (reset annually) • Owl ($100) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 • Spirit ($200) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 • Pride ($500) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 • Black ($1,000) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 • Gold ($1,750) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 • Champion ($2,500) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 • All-American ($5,000) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 • Hall of Fame ($10,000) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 • James “Spec” Landrum Society ($23,216) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Cumulative giving to Kennesaw State Athletics* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 (per $100) Consecutive years of donations to The Owls Fund** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Consecutive years of season ticket purchases since 2006**. . . . . . . . . . . 1 Kennesaw State University Alumni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Kennesaw State University Former Student-Athletes 10 Kennesaw State University Faculty, Staff and Retirees 10 The Loyalty Circle (cumulative giving to KSU) • 1963 Society ($25,000-49,999) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 • Kennesaw Society ($50,000-99,999) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 • University Society ($100,000-249,999) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 • Leadership Society ($250,000-499,999) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 • Black and Gold Society ($500,000-999,999) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 • Century Society ($1,000,000+) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Bonus Points (one-time awards) Visit KSUOwls.com/TheOwlsFund for opportunities to earn Bonus Points throughout the year.
PRIORITY POINTS WILL DETERMINE THE SELECTION ORDER FOR Football Season Tickets • Parking For Football • Future Seating Upgrades Away Game Availability • Post-Season Game Opportunities • Special Events Potential Seating Priority For Other Kennesaw State Sports * Includes all annual gifts (The Owls Fund, Booster Clubs, Dot Martin Scholarship Golf Classic), plus capital and endowment/scholarship gifts. ** Consecutive refers to continuous years of contributing and/or purchasing season tickets, regardless of the number of tickets purchased. Calculation for consecutive year points begins with the most recent year status and counts backwards. Missed years will result in a loss of consecutive year status and points earned. Consecutive year status of contributing to The Owls Fund is maintained by making unrestricted annual gifts of $100 or more to The Owls Fund.
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Fifth Third Bank Stadium
DONOR TICKET ELIGIBILITY PER SECTION HALL OF FAME ($10,000) 8
10
12
14
16
10
12
14
8
10
12
6
8
10
2
4
6
8
-
2
4
6
-
-
2
4
-
-
-
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ALL-AMERICAN ($5,000)
THE OWLS FUND GIVING LEVELS
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8
CHAMPION ($2,500) 4
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GOLD ($1,750) 2
4
BLACK ($1,000) -
PRIDE ($500) -
SPIRIT ($200) -
OWL ($100) -
P PARKING Parking for football will be available and the Priority Points System will be used to determine location of parking for each donor. Parking plans are underway and further details will be available soon.
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The previous diagram shows the anticipated seating arrangement for football. Sections have been color coded to reflect the various levels of annual support to Kennesaw State Athletics. Your current Owls Fund giving level will determine the number of seats you may purchase and the section you may select. Donors who have the highest number of Priority Points will have the opportunity to select their seats first. If the section you would like to sit is not available, you will need to select seats in another section. Seating sections are subject to change.
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PREMIUM SEATING AT FIFTH THIRD BANK STADIUM Fifth Third Bank Stadium boasts a variety of premium seating opportunities that provide first-class experiences for all events. From climate-controlled Premium Suites, to all-inclusive Loge Seating, to the best of both worlds in Concourse Suites, Owl fans may enjoy a variety of luxuries on game day. Premium seating options include the following:
GET INVOLVED TODAY BUILD YOUR PRIORITY POINTS
Become a donor to The Owls Fund, purchase season tickets for other Kennesaw State sports and follow KennesawStateFootball.com for Priority Points promotions. Contact The Owls Fund for more opportunities at 770-423-6995.
TRACK AND CONTINUE BUILDING YOUR PRIORITY POINTS
Those individuals who submitted a Letter of Intent will be mailed their initial Priority Points statement in the spring of 2013. All individuals will have until early 2015 to renew and upgrade their donor levels. The final Priority Points rankings will be used to determine football Seat Selection times in the spring of 2015.
CONFIRM THE NUMBER OF TICKETS REQUESTED AND MAKE YOUR OWLS FUND DONATION
The deadline for your 2015-16 Owls Fund donation will fall in February 2015. This gift will determine which sections are available to you during Seat Selection. You will not be allowed to add seats during Seat Selection. The number of seats you purchase by the February 2015 deadline will be the maximum number of seats you can select. Confirming your ticket request and Owls Fund gift does NOT guarantee tickets, only your priority within the Seat Selection process.
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Complete form online at KennesawStateFootball.com, return the LOI by mail or call 770-423-OWLS (6957). The LOI does not guarantee your football tickets but provides you priority during the football Seat Selection process.
SEAT SELECTION APPOINTMENT TIMES MAILED
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HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS
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COMPLETE LETTER OF INTENT (LOI) TICKET REQUEST FORM
SELECT YOUR SEATS
PREMIUM SUITES
Located on the west side of Fifth Third Bank Stadium, the 12 Premium Suites offer all of the indoor-outdoor amenities necessary to make for an enjoyable event. Each suite’s outdoor seating is complimented by a climatecontrolled indoor lounge area with food and beverage service, luxurious amenities, and exclusive restrooms.
LOGE SEATING
Positioned in the southwest corner of the stadium, the Loge Section offers an all-inclusive, social experience while allowing fans to get into the heart of the end zone action. Enjoy unlimited buffet service, spacious seating, and an exceptional view of the game.
CONCOURSE SUITES
Unique to Fifth Third Bank Stadium, Concourse Suites allow fans to enjoy an outdoor environment while escaping the sun and other elements under a covered area. Located on the west side, Concourse Suites provide some of the best sightlines in the stadium.
Beginning in the spring of 2015, seat selection appointment times will be assigned and mailed to each donor. Seat Selection will begin in the spring of 2015.
During your specific appointment time, you may select seats in person, on the phone or online.
To inquire about premium seating opportunities at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, please contact Padraic McMeel, Associate Athletics Director for External Operations, at 770-794-7791 or pmcmeel@kennesaw.edu. For more information, please visit KennesawStateFootball.com.
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QUESTIONS
frequently
asked
questions: ANSWERS q:
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The Owls Fund is the fundraising arm for the Kennesaw State Department of Athletics. Through the generosity of our donors, The Owls Fund assists in providing financial support for scholarships, medical and travel expenses, equipment, uniforms, etc. for over 400 studentathletes competing in 18 sports.
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WHAT IS THE OWLS FUND?
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WHO CAN JOIN THE OWLS FUND?
The cost of tickets is not included in your donation to The Owls Fund. However, purchasing season tickets does add to your Priority Points, which could affect the location of your seating in Fifth Third Bank Stadium, away games and postseason competitions.
HOW CAN I GET MORE PRIORITY POINTS? Because a portion of Priority Points is awarded based on contribution levels and season tickets, becoming a donor to The Owls Fund, increasing your donor level or purchasing season tickets to other sports will result in a higher number of Priority Points. All contributions must be received by February 2015 to be credited for the football Seat Selection process for the first season.
Yes, it may be tax-deductible in full or in part. You will receive a gift receipt from The Owls Fund for tax purposes. Please consult your tax advisor for further information.
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No. Only gifts made to the Kennesaw State athletics program through The Owls Fund will be considered when awarding athletics benefits. Private annual donations to Athletics provide critical budget support. Distributing our highly desired benefits for contributions to other projects on campus diminishes our donor program. However, if you have given $25,000 or more to the University, you will be awarded Priority Points for being part of the President’s Loyalty Circle.
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MY SPOUSE AND I ARE KENNESAW STATE ALUMNI AND FORMER STUDENT-ATHLETES. DO WE BOTH GET PRIORITY POINTS?
a:
Priority Points are awarded per account. If you donate jointly, you would only receive ten Priority Points as a former student-athlete and five as an alumnus. If you donate and purchase tickets independently of each other, then each of you would receive Priority Points because you have your own accounts.
All supporters of Kennesaw State Athletics are encouraged to join The Owls Fund. You do not have to be an alumnus of Kennesaw State or a former student-athlete to join.
DOES MY DONATION INCLUDE THE COST OF TICKETS?
IS MY CONTRIBUTION TO THE OWLS FUND TAX-DEDUCTIBLE?
I HAVE MADE A GIFT TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT AT KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY. DOES THIS GIFT MAKE ME ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ATHLETICS BENEFITS THROUGH THE OWLS FUND?
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IF I’M A SEASON TICKET HOLDER, CAN I CHANGE SEAT LOCATIONS FROM YEAR TO YEAR? Yes, based on the Priority Points System. See page 2 for details.
IS MY SEAT LOCATION AUTOMATICALLY UPGRADED WHEN I INCREASE MY ANNUAL DONATION? There is not an automatic seat upgrade when a donor increases his/her donation. After the season, you may request a seat location upgrade in writing. If your annual giving level and priority within that level are appropriate for the desired new location, your request will be processed as long as seats are available.
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questions: asked
frequently
q: a:
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IF I AM NOT ABLE TO GET SEATS IN THE SECTION OF MY DONOR LEVEL, DO I HAVE TO MAINTAIN THAT GIFT LEVEL IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS? No. The current gift you donated provided you Priority Points which allowed you to select at the appropriate time. However, if you had to select seats in a different section with a different donor level, you will only have to maintain the donor level of that section in the future. However, note that your Priority Points will change (even decrease) if you drop a level in giving. This could affect your Priority Points ranking for future seating options.
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Every effort will be made to accommodate you within the area corresponding to your annual contribution level. However, if demand exceeds supply, you will need to select seats in a different section.
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ARE SEATS TRANSFERRABLE? Yes, but only among immediate family members (i.e. spouse and children). The person to whom seats are transferred will be required to maintain the minimum Owls Fund giving level associated with the seats.
CAN I PURCHASE A PARKING PASS? Preferred parking passes for donors will be available for purchase for football. You must be a season ticket holder to receive preferred parking. The entirety of your contribution will determine pass availability. Parking spaces will be selected/assigned according to the donor’s level and then by Priority Points – the same process as for seating. If you want to park in the same area with other donors, you will select/be assigned based on the ranking of the donor with the fewest Priority Points.
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q:
DOES CONTRIBUTING AT A CERTAIN DONOR LEVEL GUARANTEE SEATS IN A PARTICULAR SECTION?
QUESTIONS
a:
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HOW CAN I MAINTAIN MY SEATS YEAR-TOYEAR AFTER THE 2015 SEAT SELECTION PROCESS IS COMPLETE? Donors who maintain their level of giving each year will be able to maintain the same seats. The Priority Points System and seat assignments will be reviewed every three years.
WHEN DO I PAY FOR MY TICKETS? All season tickets for the 2015 season must be paid in full by June 1, 2015. If not paid in full, you will not receive your season tickets.
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WHERE DO I GO FOR HELP? Contact The Owls Fund office at 770-423-6995. One of our helpful staff members can answer all your questions about the benefits of joining and contributing to The Owls Fund.
WHAT BENEFITS DO FACULTY/STAFF RECEIVE IN REGARDS TO PRIORITY SEATING AT FOOTBALL GAMES?
ANSWERS q: HOW MANY SEATS ARE AVAILABLE TO NON-DONORS?
a:
Due to the limited capacity of Fifth Third Bank Stadium, there will be no non-donor seating sections at this time. All season tickets will require a minimum donation to The Owls Fund.
Full-time Kennesaw State faculty, staff and retirees are awarded ten Priority Points upon joining The Owls Fund and may receive a 25% discount when purchasing up to four football season tickets. Since all seats in Fifth Third Bank Stadium require a minimum donation, all faculty, staff and retirees will need to adhere to the Priority Points System and giving levels through The Owls Fund.
WILL HAVING SEASON TICKETS GUARANTEE ME A SEAT AT OTHER EVENTS HELD IN FIFTH THIRD BANK STADIUM? No. The tickets you purchase through Kennesaw State Athletics will only guarantee you a seat at home football games; however, early notification of upcoming outside events may be given to donors of The Owls Fund.
HOW CAN A GROUP PURCHASE TICKETS AND SIT IN THE SAME SECTION? There is no guarantee. The only way a group can sit together is if you and your friend(s) attend the Seat Selection appointment of the person who has the lower point total. By doing this, however, the person(s) with the higher point total forfeits his/her earlier appointment for seat choice. Individuals may increase their Priority Points prior to the 2015 deadline for final Priority Points rankings.
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KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION 1000 Chastain Road, MD 0201 Kennesaw, GA 30144
TICKET OFFICE: 770-423-OWLS THE OWLS FUND: 770-423-6995
KennesawStateFootball.com KSUOwls.com
FOOTBALL AT KENNESAW STATE IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST AN ATHLETICS VENTURE. IT IS A FORCE THAT WILL INVIGORATE THE GREATER OWL FAMILY. Vaughn Williams
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