Musketeer Points

[Muskie]

What's everyone think of the new system so far?

A few things off the top of my head.

What does the column "Letter-winner Status" mean? I can't find it mentioned anywhere ? I assume it means, varsity sports member?

Also, I believe there should be points given for having season tickets to something else besides Basketball. I'll use soccer as an example. Why not throw points in for those season ticket holders? It would encourage some to buy those things, simply for the points. In theory this provides more revenue for the programs, and possibly better attendance (concessions)?

I'm interested in everyone's take.

[coasterville95]

First thought - I feel bad for the AFO call center. I realize we have had an unoficial point system for some time, but now that they have issued printed statements, you jut know you are going to have peoople contacting them, going round and round for an hour over 1 or 2 points. People get like that when you score and rank them.

I think Left-Winner is actually "Lett-Winner" - I beleive there is a 10 point bonus if you were a former athlete at Xavier in a letter winning sport.

I know they include women's basketball season tickets (2005 and onward), I beleive soccer is the only other sport that offers a season ticket plan? (Scarf in their case) - I'd say count it, if for no reason other than to make the program look more sports diverse than just basetball driven.

I'm happy they went back and retroactively awarded me points for all the premium seat fees. Yes, I did a ballpark estimate om my points total and it seems about right. And my percentile seems right based on where my seats are located. I also realize that as far as percentile goes, I am at a disadvantage over those that have had season tickets since the Gardens, along with their associated premium seat fees, and those that sit in higher prices zones. Of course I know I can alsways buy points, first year special this year of 3 points to the $100 vs the usual 2.

As far as donations this year, for the points they have for me for current year giving, they mut have my November premium seat fee payment factored in (I did the spread it out over 60 payments option), and they must be acrruing the points as the monthy payments are received.

As far as a points program - it's a standard method used at lots of schools to objectively determine who gets the seats, first dibs, of seats. It's always nice to have the rules and points in writing, instead of some heretofor unknown formula.

[Muskie]

First thought - I feel bad for the AFO call center. I realize we have had an unoficial point system for some time, but now that they have issued printed statements, you jut know you are going to have peoople contacting them, going round and round for an hour over 1 or 2 points. People get like that when you score and rank them.

I think Left-Winner is actually "Lett-Winner" - I beleive there is a 10 point bonus if you were a former athlete at Xavier in a letter winning sport.

I know they include women's basketball season tickets (2005 and onward), I beleive soccer is the only other sport that offers a season ticket plan? (Scarf in their case) - I'd say count it, if for no reason other than to make the program look more sports diverse than just basetball driven.

I'm happy they went back and retroactively awarded me points for all the premium seat fees. Yes, I did a ballpark estimate om my points total and it seems about right. And my percentile seems right based on where my seats are located. I also realize that as far as percentile goes, I am at a disadvantage over those that have had season tickets since the Gardens, along with their associated premium seat fees, and those that sit in higher prices zones. Of course I know I can alsways buy points, first year special this year of 3 points to the $100 vs the usual 2.

As far as donations this year, for the points they have for me for current year giving, they mut have my November premium seat fee payment factored in (I did the spread it out over 60 payments option), and they must be acrruing the points as the monthy payments are received.

As far as a points program - it's a standard method used at lots of schools to objectively determine who gets the seats, first dibs, of seats. It's always nice to have the rules and points in writing, instead of some heretofor unknown formula.

I went back and corrected Left to Letter (and I think you're right). You're probably right about most other sports not having "season tickets", but I think every sport that does, should be included in the points bonanza. Because there will be people who buy those tickets for nothing other than the points. Mine look about right as well. Even if it's one or two points off, it won't make a difference to my percentile to complain.

I like it. I think it would be somewhat cool to have reward levels tied into the percentiles. Have some sort of trinket for the 70th Percentile and up; 80th Percentile and Up; 90th Percentile and up... that sort of thing. Not everyone will do it, but there are definitely some who will spend the extra money to get those sorts of things.

[coasterville95]

Interesting point with people buying points/tickets just to accrue points faster. People are competetive. Also clever with percentile based premiums. The more people give, the more people have to give.

Donor A: "Yes, here is $300 to buy the 9 points I need to get to the 70% percentile to get the coach signed Bobblehead"
AFO: "Thanks for the donoation, Donor A, however Donors B through Z each also just gave more money, I'm afriad it will take 15 more points now to reach 70th percentile"

[Muskie]

No. I did. It's basketball season now. Tightening up the reigns a little bit, so every thread isn't derailed by nonsense (no offense to KK meant).

[xeus]

No. I did. It's basketball season now. Tightening up the reigns a little bit, so every thread isn't derailed by nonsense (no offense to KK meant).

Kahns is aware of the correlation between himself and nonsense; I'm certain he's not offended.

Regarding Musketeer Points, I guess schools are doing this now? It makes sense to me in that there's at least some transparency in knowing where I stack up. Gives me some idea of the probability of getting tourney tix and away game tix.

I'm not sure I would be very motivated by trinkets at increased giving levels. I'm already giving what I can, and a limited edition Mario Mercurio chia bobblehead complete with mini-tube of hair gel would not likely cause me to give more to the university.*

*I'm kidding of course - I would donate big money for that. I'm talking sweet16 money.

[bjf123]

I'm guessing this is outlined in the big envelope I haven't opened? Otherwise, I have no idea what you're talking about.


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[coasterville95]

Now your AFO staff spent lots of time and energy making that personalized packet just for you.

[Kahns Krazy]

Kahns is aware of the correlation between himself and nonsense; I'm certain he's not offended.

Regarding Musketeer Points, I guess schools are doing this now? It makes sense to me in that there's at least some transparency in knowing where I stack up. Gives me some idea of the probability of getting tourney tix and away game tix.

I'm not sure I would be very motivated by trinkets at increased giving levels. I'm already giving what I can, and a limited edition Mario Mercurio chia bobblehead complete with mini-tube of hair gel would not likely cause me to give more to the university.*

*I'm kidding of course - I would donate big money for that. I'm talking sweet16 money.



That is probably a better way of putting it. I think the idea of trinkets and points in a multi million dollar business is silly, and publishing rates is even more silly. You wind up spending money on people who couldn't care less, and have less budget available for those who care about perks. It's the lazy solution that involves less personal interaction, which I think is brought up in another thread here, and it serves to ultimately deliver less overall perceived value to the fans.

[blobfan]

Well, when hubby was first describing it to me I was a little irked at such a triviality. Then he said it was AFO, not XU Athletics. I'm cool with that. You have to be a little creative when it comes to fundraising and I think top contributors SHOULD get dibs on post season tix, etc.

[paulxu]

Is this all part of that Magis thing?

[Masterofreality]

What's everyone think of the new system so far?

What does the column "Letter-winner Status" mean? I can't find it mentioned anywhere ? I assume it means, varsity sports member?
.

That means that you had to earn a "Letter" in a Varsity Sport by accruing significant game/match participation time. Coaster is right.

I had a question or two about whether some donations were counted. For example, I have given $$$ this fiscal year- July 1 on- and had gotten my receipt letter for it, but I have no credit shown on the letter for Current Fiscal Year. I and others on this Board- Dash for example- have given significant dollars to one or more athletic building projects in recent years. I believe that there should be some credit given for that, but there is no category. Finally, I wonder if years of "Musketeer Club" membership is counted toward AFO Membership.

I sent an e-mail to Seth, and he was prompt in a response. He and I are speaking live tomorrow.

I love the concept though. It quantifies support. Now, if I could just get some guy who I share tickets with to get me some credit. :medicated:

[Masterofreality]

That is probably a better way of putting it. I think the idea of trinkets and points in a multi million dollar business is silly, and publishing rates is even more silly. You wind up spending money on people who couldn't care less, and have less budget available for those who care about perks. It's the lazy solution that involves less personal interaction, which I think is brought up in another thread here, and it serves to ultimately deliver less overall perceived value to the fans.

With all due respect Kahns, are points on an airline, where if you get enough you get bigger rewards - free seats, guaranteed upgrades etc.- "trinkets"? Is getting a free bottle of water and a snack at check-in, and a free room or big room upgrade when you amass more points based upon your customary hotel selection a "trinket"? Aorlines and Hotels are multi-million $ businesses. Award programs are well documents to make people loyal. I believe the same concept holds here. Less personal interaction may or may not follow. That remains to be seen.

[Kahns Krazy]

Bad example. Airlines and hotels are commodity businesses. I can choose between a Marriott and a Hyatt or Delta and American and not care. It's not like I'm going to become a UC Basketball fan because they give me a free blanket at 18,000 points. Sports are already loyalty brands, and there were already perks to be had for supportive fans that wanted them for programs (like ours) where the staff knows who people are and takes care of them.

The same thing happened years ago in casinos when they took the comp discretion away from the pit boss and made it based on a formula. I enjoy the experience less now.

[Masterofreality]

Maybe so, but there is other competition for your entertainment dollar...and if you enjoy perks.......

[bleedXblue]

This is all Christopher I am sure. He was known for his fundraising and creativity when he was at BG.

[Kahns Krazy]

Maybe so, but there is other competition for your entertainment dollar...and if you enjoy perks.......

Exactly, and I know there are people that do. My original argument is that perks are more effeciently distributed to those that value them rather than to everyone, regardless of the perceived value. It just requires that you have the right administration in place to know who wants what, rather than just plugging everyone into a formula and giving people what the formula says they want, rather than what they actually want.

Subway has a loyalty card. Ruth Chris does not.

[Muskie]

I love the concept though. It quantifies support. Now, if I could just get some guy who I share tickets with to get me some credit. :medicated:

Yeah. I asked when I talked to them yesterday. No dice on that angle. I tried though.

[coasterville95]

Right, it even says in the big packet that if a group has all true tickets under one account only the owner of the account gets points and they can't delegate them. Sucks to be the "silent partners".

[Muskie]

Right, it even says in the big packet that if a group has all true tickets under one account only the owner of the account gets points and they can't delegate them. Sucks to be the "silent partners".

Silent partners pffffttt.

[vee4xu]

The only thing I got out of looking at my info: a headache!

[Olsingledigit]

Almost all major universities have a point system and most have had them for years.

[xeus]

The best "perk" or giveaway to season ticket holders ever was The Run video.

[Kahns Krazy]

Almost all major universities have a point system and most have had them for years.

I think you are confusing cause and effect. Do most "major" universities have an overall fan base as small as ours? Having a point system is not a thing that makes you a major university. When you are a major university and you have a football fan base of 50k+, and perks are a scarce resource, I understand going to a point system out of necessity. What do we have, about 6k season ticket holders? I'm going to assume that accounts average 2 tickets each. That's 3k accounts. We've already partitioned them into 7 different steps of premium seating, plus suites and non-premium accounts. I guess I'm missing the benefit to the fan of being partitioned further.

To me, it feels less personal, like being a number instead of a name, or a score instead of a contributor.

If it somehow drives more giving, then so be it, but it's certainly not part of anything I ever became a fan of the program for.

[Muskie]

I think you are confusing cause and effect. Do most "major" universities have an overall fan base as small as ours? Having a point system is not a thing that makes you a major university. When you are a major university and you have a football fan base of 50k+, and perks are a scarce resource, I understand going to a point system out of necessity. What do we have, about 6k season ticket holders? I'm going to assume that accounts average 2 tickets each. That's 3k accounts. We've already partitioned them into 7 different steps of premium seating, plus suites and non-premium accounts. I guess I'm missing the benefit to the fan of being partitioned further.

To me, it feels less personal, like being a number instead of a name, or a score instead of a contributor.

If it somehow drives more giving, then so be it, but it's certainly not part of anything I ever became a fan of the program for.

I think this is a way of helping delineate how to handle requests when the athletic office receives them. I know for some road games the demand for tickets far exceeds the number X has available. There has to be a system in place to handle those requests. If this also raises more funds, so be it.

[Kahns Krazy]

I think this is a way of helping delineate how to handle requests when the athletic office receives them. I know for some road games the demand for tickets far exceeds the number X has available. There has to be a system in place to handle those requests. If this also raises more funds, so be it.

So previously all away game requests went unfilled?

I understand the logic, I just think that it takes some of the human interaction out of it when you go to a published point system.

[LadyMuskie]

The best "perk" or giveaway to season ticket holders ever was The Run video.

I don't think that was a season ticket holder perk. That was a donation level to AFO perk. I know several people who had better seats than we did, but who gave less to AFO than we did, and they did not get The Run. In fact, out of all of our friends and family who have season tickets (about 12 families total) only we and one of our friends got the DVD. Now, the second DVD they sent out seemed to go to all season ticket holders.

[coasterville95]

So, I'm sure people have noticed the AFO 50/50 raffle that has been held at every men's game so far this season, It's a similar setup and pricing to what the Red;s do.

Anyway, think I can save up all my AFO 50./50 Raffle tickets throughout the season and turn them in for Musketeer Points? If I buy $10 at each game, thats $170 on the season, So I can send those in and $30 to get 6 points? (2x$100 donations)

[Milhouse]

If you truly care that much then I'm sure you can.