University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Athletics Issues Gopher Points Update
1/4/2011 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
University of Minnesota Athletics officials will be issuing an update regarding plans for the expansion of Preferred Seating to both men’s basketball and men’s hockey season ticket holders over the next few days.
The plan, which will involve reseating both Williams Arena and Mariucci Arena prior to the 2012-13 seasons, is not yet finalized; however, one significant piece has been resolved. According to the update, Preferred Seating donations for the best seats in each venue will be the same as they are in football at TCF Bank Stadium and have been set at $100, $250, and $500 per seat, annually, depending on location. And like TCF Bank Stadium, not all seats in Williams and Mariucci will require a donation.
“One of the key benefits of bringing Preferred Seating to Williams Arena and Mariucci Arena is that it will standardize what our fans are paying for their tickets,” said associate athletics director David Crum, who oversees the Golden Gopher Fund. “Today, we have significant pricing inequities in both facilities, and Preferred Seating will help introduce an element of fairness when it comes to the cost of tickets. It is also important that a good number of seats in each facility not require additional donations, just like in TCF Bank Stadium. ”
The update also points out that Preferred Seating will help Gopher Athletics become more financially competitive in the Big Ten. Currently, Minnesota ranks in the bottom half of the conference in both annual fund dollars raised and percentage of revenues derived from donations.
The criteria that will be used to develop each season ticket holder’s Gopher Points total were the last items revealed in the update. It will be similar to that used for football and be based upon consecutive years of season ticket purchase (loyalty), as well as affinity (graduates, letterwinners, alumni association membership) and financial support (current-year and lifetime gifts and donations).
According to Crum, the final details of the new Preferred Seating system, including donation seating maps for each venue, point criteria, and individual point totals will be mailed to season ticket holders in the spring.
Season ticket holders with comments and questions at should call the Gopher Points office at 612-624-8080 or email points@umn.edu.
The plan, which will involve reseating both Williams Arena and Mariucci Arena prior to the 2012-13 seasons, is not yet finalized; however, one significant piece has been resolved. According to the update, Preferred Seating donations for the best seats in each venue will be the same as they are in football at TCF Bank Stadium and have been set at $100, $250, and $500 per seat, annually, depending on location. And like TCF Bank Stadium, not all seats in Williams and Mariucci will require a donation.
“One of the key benefits of bringing Preferred Seating to Williams Arena and Mariucci Arena is that it will standardize what our fans are paying for their tickets,” said associate athletics director David Crum, who oversees the Golden Gopher Fund. “Today, we have significant pricing inequities in both facilities, and Preferred Seating will help introduce an element of fairness when it comes to the cost of tickets. It is also important that a good number of seats in each facility not require additional donations, just like in TCF Bank Stadium. ”
The update also points out that Preferred Seating will help Gopher Athletics become more financially competitive in the Big Ten. Currently, Minnesota ranks in the bottom half of the conference in both annual fund dollars raised and percentage of revenues derived from donations.
The criteria that will be used to develop each season ticket holder’s Gopher Points total were the last items revealed in the update. It will be similar to that used for football and be based upon consecutive years of season ticket purchase (loyalty), as well as affinity (graduates, letterwinners, alumni association membership) and financial support (current-year and lifetime gifts and donations).
According to Crum, the final details of the new Preferred Seating system, including donation seating maps for each venue, point criteria, and individual point totals will be mailed to season ticket holders in the spring.
Season ticket holders with comments and questions at should call the Gopher Points office at 612-624-8080 or email points@umn.edu.
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