SPIDER points
It takes a team...
success starts with teamwork
O
Our recent success
has fueled unprecedented
interest in the Spider Club,
new gifts to athletics, and
many inquiries about donor benefits. People have
asked for improved game
environments, clear information about the ability to
obtain post-season tickets, and access to better seats.
In response to these requests, and to provide greater
resources and support for our student-athletes, we have
developed a new Spider Points system. This brochure
will provide details about the Spider Points program.
During the past year, we have reviewed the national
landscape and spent considerable time talking with
University leaders, alumni, donors, and fans. It is clear
that the Spider Points system is needed and will provide a fair and equitable way of allocating Spider Club
benefits.
Thanks to you and the other members of the Spider
Club, our student-athletes have the opportunity to experience success at the highest level in both their academic and athletic pursuits. As demonstrated by your
support, these young men and women have the backing of some of the nation’s finest fans. Thank you again
for your support of the Spiders.
Sincerely,
Jim Miller, Athletic Director
...to build the dream.
The
Spider Points System
T
The Spider Club, in an effort to provide
greater resources and support for our stu-
dent-athletes, will institute a new Spider
Points system starting with the 2005-06
athletic season.
The Spider Points program will provide a
systematic, orderly, fair, and equitable process to prioritize requests for tickets, parking, and other benefits, including post-season tickets.
Historically, the Spider Club has considered
only cumulative and annual giving when
determining how to allocate benefits. The
Spider Points system will be an inclusive and
appropriate way to help acknowledge those
who support the University of Richmond
and its athletics program.
Spider Point CALCULATIONS
• 100 points for a University of Richmond graduate
• 100 points for being a season ticket holder for 10 or more years (prior to 7/1/04)
• 100 points for a University of Richmond former student-athlete/manager
• 100 points for a full-time (current or retired) member of the University of Richmond faculty or staff
• 10 points for every year contributing to Richmond Athletics (giving prior to 7/1/04)
• 10 points for every year purchasing two or more season tickets (Football or Men’s Basketball from
the 2000 season forward)
• 10 points for each $100 gift to the Spider Club (after 7/1/04)
• 10 points for each $100 given by newly recruited Spider Club member*
• 10 points for each $250 paid for season tickets for Men’s Basketball or Football (starting in ’04-05 season)
• 10 points for each $500 in corporate partnerships to Richmond Athletics (after 7/1/04)
• 5 points for every $100 in historical giving to Richmond Athletics (giving prior to 7/1/04)
• 5 points for every $1,000 in historical giving (non athletic) to the University (giving prior to 7/1/04)
*Referring donor must be noted in writing at the time of the new gift in order to receive Spider Points.
SPIDER points
Seating & Ticketing
T
The Spider Points program creates a
priority system for assigning season
tickets for Men’s Basketball in the Rob-
2005-06 men’s Basketball season ticket
availability as determined by
Spider points levels
ins Center. As shown in this chart, the
3PIDER0OINTS
starting point level for Premium Seat-
0RIORITY
ing in the red sections is 500 points.
3PIDER0OINTS
#HOICE
3TUDENT
#OURTSIDE3PIDER0OINTS
The minimum point level for Premium Seating in the dark blue sections is
250 points. Spider Club members who
meet these minimum point levels will
be eligible to purchase up to six season
tickets, if available, in the appropriate
section. A maximum of four courtside
seats will be available to Spider Club
members who have accumulated at
least 1,000 Spider Points.
1.Spider Points will be activated if
#/5243)$%3%!4).'
you are a current or lifetime donor
to the Spider Club Fund (minimum
$100 per year). Current donors to
the Spider Club will be given the
first opportunity to purchase season
tickets.
2.An “active” donor is defined as an
#/,,%'%2/!$
individual who has made a pledge or payment for the cur-
4.Season ticket holders wishing to sit together in a group
rent Spider Club annual fund drive. The annual fund drive
may ask to do so by submitting their season ticket applica-
runs from July 1 to June 30. If a person has made past
tions in the same envelope with written requests to the
contributions and/or has an accumulated Spider Points
Athletic Ticket Office either on them or attached to them.
total in his/her account but has not made a pledge or con-
Spider Club members requesting a “sit-by” will be seated
tribution for the current fund drive, that person is not an
according to the lowest Spider Points total of all active
“active” member and will not have priority when ordering
members in the group.
premium season tickets (lifetime members excluded).
5.Payments for tickets and donations can be combined in
3.All premium seat assignments will be determined by the
one check or credit card.
Spider Points system. If your point total warrants a seating
upgrade, you may elect to remain in your previous seats or
6.Spider Points are allocated and updated each year upon re-
move to a preferred seat if it is available. Please provide a
ceipt of a pledge or donation. Point totals will be provided
written request attached to your season ticket application.
to the donor periodically throughout the year.
The Spider
Annual Fund Drive
S
Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders
Ways to Give
Spider student-athletes are extraordinary young men and wom-
• Check or Cash—Checks payable to Spider Club.
en by any standards and Richmond is committed to excellence
• Credit Card—Monthly or quarterly installment
in all facets of the student-athlete experience. To achieve this
plans are available.
• Gifts of stock—Gifts of appreciated stock and secu-
objective, Richmond has launched the Spider Athletic Initiative, a major fundraising effort which is part of the University
rities may be more advantageous to donors than cash gifts.
• Planned Gifts—Make a planned gift or include Uni-
of Richmond’s Transforming Bright Minds campaign.
versity of Richmond athletic programs in your estate plans.
One integral part of the initiative is a new program entitled A.L.L. (Academics, Life Skills, Leadership). A.L.L. will en-
• Corporate Matching Gifts—Many companies of-
rich the skills of student-athletes in the areas of academics, com-
fer matching gift programs for their employees. Please con-
munity service, career and personal development, with a special
tact your company’s personnel/HR office as policies affecting
focus on leadership. This comprehensive approach is designed
such qualifying gifts vary from one company to another.
to produce well-rounded, confident individuals who will have a
Deductibility
positive impact on the society in which they live and work.
Spider Club memberships help provide the resources
To comply with IRS laws, the University of Richmond rec-
necessary for this outstanding program and other enhance-
ommends that donors who receive benefits for their contri-
ments such as developing state of the art facilities for our stu-
bution reduce their deduction by the estimated value listed in
dent-athletes. Spider Club gifts also support scholarships, trav-
the membership gift chart. You may elect not to receive any
el expenses and equipment. The Spider Club is not only one of
benefits and claim a deduction for the entire amount of your
the best examples of the tremendous loyalty of the University’s
gift. If this is your wish, please indicate in the space provided
friends and fans, it is the most important support group in
on the enrollment form. If you elect to receive benefits, you
Spider athletics. Spider Club members enable Richmond stu-
must deduct the full value amount.
Call the Spider Club office at (804) 289-8759 for
dent-athletes to showcase their involvement in the complete
further information on the Annual Fund Drive.
university experience of intellectual and physical excellence.
Invitations to Rector’s Club Events
Basketball: Pre-Game Hospitality ($750 additional for ‘05-06 season)
Football: VIP Lower Lot Parking
Additional benefits are available, corresponding with the level of giving detailed in this chart.
17,000+
$
1,000+
$
$
Spider Sports Update: a daily e-mail on Spider athletics.
Spider Club Membership Card
Invitations to designated pre-game and special Spider Club events.
Ticket priority for away contests and post-season play.
Parking privileges for Richmond football games.
Spider Club window decal.
100+
Basic Membership Package
•
•
•
•
•
•
500+
Basketball: Priority Parking for Season Ticket Holders
$
Two Recruiting Guides
Red
$
Blue
250+
$
Richmond Football: Catlett’s Web Pre-Game Area Access
$
Rector’s
3,500+
Basketball: Reserved VIP Parking in Millhiser Lot
Football: Reserved, Numbered VIP Parking
2,000+
7,500+
Exclusive Spider Club gift
Silver
$
Opportunity to travel with a member of the Athletic Department to an away game
Gold
$
Gothic
5,000+
Founders Invitations to Founders Club Events
W E B
White
red
blue
Estimated benefits Value: L E V E L
richmond
rector’s
silver
gold
gothic
founders
$50
$50
$65
$95
$420
The
Spider Athletic Initiative
T
Talented student-athletes combine their
love of learning with their passion for athletic competition at the University of Rich-
mond. Hundreds of student-athletes enrich
the University community through their
talent, leadership and discipline. The ability to bring together the best of academics
and athletics is one of Richmond’s proudest
traditions.
The Department of Athletics develops
and maintains a Division I intercollegiate
athletic program that attracts national recognition to the University by our studentathletes’ high level of academic achievement,
strong competitive spirit and commitment
to personal standards of fairness and integrity. The Athletics Initiative centers on three
broad goals:
The Spider Athletic Initiative is a
fundraising plan centered on upgrading facilities, improving academic support, and securing
additional funds for recruiting,
scholarships and coaches’ compensation packages.
• Provide a positive collegiate experience for our student-athletes
• Ensure that the basketball and football teams consistently compete for conference championships and earn opportunities for NCAA post-season tournaments
• Rank the Spider athletic program in
the top 100 NCAA Division I athletic programs as mea-
programs, including but not limited to, the Robins Center,
sured by the Directors’ Cup
Pitt Field and First Market Stadium. The renovation to First
Market Stadium would bring home football games to cam-
At the heart of this initiative is a plan to augment existing endowment income by increasing dramatically the total
pus and provide an all-purpose home venue for other sports
such as soccer, track and field and lacrosse.
of current-use dollars available for capital improvements and
• Additional funds for recruiting, scholarships for tal-
operating costs. Purposes to which these funds will be di-
ented student-athletes and compensation packages for coach-
rected include:
es and staff.
• Academic support, strength and conditioning programs,
sports medicine programs, and life skills training for athletes
• Enhance the athletic facilities for all of our sport
For specific giving opportunities, please call the Spider
Club office at (804) 289-8759.
* Stadium Renderings Subject To Change
Spider points
Questions & Answers
Why Spider Points? Why now?
Spider Points has been created to provide an equitable
process to recognize and reward those who support the
University of Richmond and its athletics program. Thank-
I have had the same seats for several years and
have not been a Spider Club member. Do I have
Spider Points? How will I be able to keep the
seats I currently have?
fully, because of the generosity of Spider Club members,
You have an “inactive” account. In order to activate
Richmond Athletics has been able to maintain a top-tier
your account, you must participate in the Spider Club
program. Now, the task at hand is to enhance and grow
each year with a minimum annual contribution of
the efforts of our athletic fundraising component, so that
$100. When you are “active,” your points will be acti-
our student-athletes will have the best opportunity to en-
vated. If your seats are in the premium section, you can
joy future success on the field and in the classroom.
keep your seats if you are an active Spider Club member, meet the point minimum total for your specific
How do you acquire Spider Points?
section and purchase season tickets before the renewal
Spider Points are acquired through a number of differ-
deadline. If your seats are not in the premium section,
ent criteria, including charitable support of the Athletic
you will be able to keep your seats simply by purchasing
Department. Other criteria include past charitable giv-
season tickets before the ticket renewal deadline.
ing to the University (non-athletics), alumni status, and
season ticket holder status. (See page 4.)
When are Spider Points totals updated?
Spider Points will be updated weekly. However, Spider
I have been buying tickets under someone else’s
name and making donations in that person’s
name. Will these past donations give me
Spider Points?
Points totals will be ranked twice a year, once in Sep-
No. Each donor should maintain his/her own Spider
tember to determine rank for men’s basketball benefits
Club membership. The Spider Club office cannot be
including season ticket priority and again in May to
responsible for determining the donations and tickets
determine rank for football season tickets and parking.
purchased through another party. It is strongly encouraged that an individual set-up his/her own membership
I have made past contributions to Richmond
Athletics; will these contributions accumulate
Spider Points?
Yes, your past and future giving to the Spider Club will
generate Spider Points.
and purchase tickets individually.
Am I required to make a donation to the Spider
Club to purchase season tickets?
No. However, premium seating will be available only to
“active” Spider Club members who meet the minimum
I have never made a contribution to Richmond
Athletics, but as an alum I have made
contributions to other areas of campus.
Do I have Spider Points?
point level.
How will tickets be assigned for post-season
tournaments?
You have an “inactive” Spider Points account. In order
All tickets for post-season tournaments will be allocated
to activate your account, you must participate in the
based on Spider Points rank.
Spider Club each year with a minimum annual contribution of $100. When your account status is “active,”
your points will be activated.
Are gifts to the Spider Club tax deductible?
They are, to the extent allowed by law. We suggest you
consult your individual tax advisor for deductibility.
KEY DATES
Mark your calendar. Many of these important
Spider Points dates are new, so don’t miss out.
• July 1, 2005 Spider Club Fund Drive
begins.
When does the Spider Club
year begin and end?
The Spider Club year runs on
an “academic year” (July 1 to
June 30). Gifts and pledges are
to be made and paid within the
current year in order for an individual to have an “active” Spider
Club account.
Do corporate sponsors get
Spider Points?
Yes, corporate sponsors receive
10 points for every $500 of
their contract with Spider Sports
Marketing.
If my company offers a
matching gift program,
will I receive Spider Points for the company’s
donation?
Yes, you will receive Spider Points for your company’s
• september 30, 2005 Deadline for
men’s basketball season ticket renewals.
gift upon receipt of the paid gift to Richmond Athletics.
The arrangement must be irrevocable to receive points
immediately. For more information, please contact the
• OCTOBER 15, 2005 Final date for
Spider Club at (804) 289-8759.
Spider Club to receive gifts to be considered
How will the points affect “lifetime” Spider
Club members?
for seating for the 2005-06 men’s basketball
season.
Lifetime members will always have an “active” Spider
Points status and will receive the appropriate benefits
based on their individual Spider Points total.
How will University of Richmond faculty and
staff season tickets be assigned?
University of Richmond faculty and staff will be provided specific season ticket assignment information in
the coming months.
• May 23, 2006 Deadline for football
season ticket renewals.
• June 30, 2006 Final date for Spider
Club fund drive 2006; pledges must be paid
in full.
Your
Spider Points Account
F
For convenience, throughout
each year, Spider Club mem-
bers will receive account history
reports similar to the sample
1
on this page. The Spider Points
3
2
software combines information
from the University’s Develop-
ment and Alumni offices to
information from the Athletic
Ticket office; the account history report was designed to
give each Spider Club member
4
a comprehensive statement of
their giving, ticket, parking,
and Spider Points history.
5
1
Account Status
The Account Status
block will indicate whether a
donor is an active or inactive
member of the Spider Club.
2
6
Priority Points
SUMMARY
This is a summary of a donor’s
7
Priority Points based on the
wide variety of criteria detailed
on page 4.
3
PRIORITY POINTS
POTENTIAL
Spider Club members will receive statements detailing their current
priority points, donations, season tickets, and parking.
This number reflects
the number of points a donor will have accumulated when
all pledges are paid in full.
4
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SUMMARY
This figure shows all giving to capital and endow-
ment projects, such as scholarships, that are not part of the
Spider Club’s Annual Fund Drive.
5
DONATION SUMMARY
This section details yearly gifts pledged to and re-
ceived by the Spider Club’s Annual Fund Drive, including
both monetary gifts and gift-in-kind donations.
6
TICKET SUMMARY
This section shows a donor’s season ticket informa-
tion, including number of seats and seat locations, for both
football and men’s basketball. This information will automatically reflect any changes as annual season ticket assignments
are made.
7
PARKING SUMMARY
This section shows the parking lot assignment for
the current year. In the future, it will show parking locations
for both men’s basketball and football.
Spider Club
University of Richmond Athletics
Robins Center
Richmond, Virginia 23173