Tickets
Yes tickets are available for the 2007 Tennessee Football Season!
There is absolutely no obligation for info requests. I guarantee not to be pushy!
There are a lot of misconceptions about season tickets. Read on!
Ask about Guaranteed seating options!
For a list of Frequently asked questions, Click here
To learn more about the VASF, Click here
For a list of companies that match funds, Click here
For info about the VASF point system, Click here
To View a VASF Benefits Matrix, Click here
To view a seating chart, Click here
To sign up to receive more information, Click here
Or, You can scroll on down and view it all.
Click here if you know you want to sign-up !
Its is true that the face value of UT tickets is still quite reasonable but since the implementation of the VASF, a contribution is required to acquire a high enough priority to purchase season tickets to UT sporting events. Many think this is a rip off, and to each his own, but this is simple economics (supply and demand). There are over 3000 new graduates of UT each year, multiply that by a few years, add-in the large number of other fans and you've got a number of individuals large enough to fill Neyland probably 2-3 times over. Sure they could just have a waiting list but if that were the case, you might get to see Peyton's son play sometime in the next century.
The facts of the matter are, money for the secondary systems (colleges) is becoming more and more an individual problem. No longer are huge sums of money going into higher learning via the government and Universities are having to do the fund raising on their own. As fans of the University of Tennessee, we have high expectations and those expectations cost money. The monies contributed go to the bettering of everyone's future. Lets not forget that while these kids are participating in these sports they are also getting a quality education opportunity. That's good for them, good for you and me and good for America.
The greatest point I could make about signing up for season tickets is this: If you are making the contribution solely for the sake of getting season tickets, then you are probably better off getting them from scalpers on the street. Its most often cheaper. On the other hand, you may want to consider the following benefits of joining the VASF:
- Personal concern for the University and it's image both locally and nationally.
- The opportunities offered to over 250 student athletes.
- Civic pride and knowing that your contribution supports an effective and successful athletic program.
- Investing in the Vols is tax deductible for you and helps not only the athletes but also the community. The economic impact of Tennessee football exceeds 40 million dollars per season.
- Fun. Including travel, meeting new friends and keeping in touch with old friends.
Most of these kids know and appreciate their opportunity. Recently, a VASF co-worker told me a story.
She was standing in line to get a player's autograph at the VASF day. She made the comment that
"Boy you must be tired. I bet this is like punishment having to sign all these autographs".
He paused, looked up at her and said "Ma'am, I come from a large family. My parents fed me and kept a roof over my head but there wasn't any way they were going to be able to send me to college. The VASF enabled me to be here. I'm getting an education and I get to play the game I love. So no, this isn't punishment. In a way, I'm getting to pay back the folks that made my dream possible."
The folks in the know at the VASF expect that it will require a donation of around $500 to qualify for a pair of priority season tickets this year. That qualifies you to buy the tickets but the cost of the tickets is additional. Tickets cost about $550 a pair making your minimum outlay about $1050 for renewable tickets. They also believe that they can offer non-priority(non-renewable) season tickets with a $250 donation. And a $100 donation will likely qualify you for mini-season tickets that includes approximately 4 games. The new chair backs require a $2500 donation. The first two rows of the upper deck, also chair backs, require $5000 contribution. Now, that may sound bad, end zone seats... but they are actually very good. Thats where mine are and I love em and wouldn't trade em. In fact, the senior associate athletic director told me that 67 of the 104 thousand seats are classified as end zone seats. Thats a generous figure and spans the horse shoe out to the 10 yard line.
Finally, the sidelines, upper and lower decks will most likely require a donation of about $2500. One last note. They told me to make sure and say this. Donations in the above amounts are just guidelines and don't guarantee tickets but they seem to feel quite certain that donations in those amounts will be sufficient for qualification.
| Quickie Contrib Guide |
| Mini-Season (Non-Priority,Non-Renewable) |
| 4-games (So. Miss, Ark State, LA Lafayette and Arkansas) | $100 per pair |
| 7-games | $250 per pair |
| Lower Level Full Season (Priority,Renewable) |
| West Side Lower (R-W): | $2,500-5,000 per pair |
| East Side Lower (A-C): | $1,000-5,000 per pair |
| South Endzone Lower (G-Q): | $1,000 per pair |
| North Endzone Lower (X1-Z15): | $1,000 per pair |
| Upper Level Full Season (Renewable) |
| West Side Upper (RR-WW): | $1,000-2,500 per pair |
| East Side Upper (AA-CC): | $1,000-2,500 per pair |
| South Endzone Upper (GG-QQ): | $500 per pair |
| North Endzone Upper (XX1-ZZ15): |
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Rows 1-2 ( chairback): $5,000 per pair
Rows 3-10 (bench seats): $500-1,000 per pair
Rows 13-26 ( chairback, undercover): $1000-2,500 per pair |
West(Pressbox), South(River), North(New Section), East(Team)
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If you'd like to know more about how you can help The University of Tennessee plus get yourself a nifty tax break and ticket priorities in the process, fill out the info form below and I'll see to it that you get all the information you need to make the decision thats right for you. By the way, if you already give, Thanks ! If you don't give through another person, I'd appreciate being your VASF worker.
P.S.
Did you know that you can now make your contribution in monthly installments ?
Or that many employers match contributions making your portion much less ?
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How do I sign up. I mean, is there a form or something?
Yes. Actually there is a form to fill out. It is attached to the VASF booklet. If you fill out the Information request below, you will receive a VASF information booklet and sign-up form during the fund drive which runs from late December to the 1st of March each year. If you would, please complete as follows:
Fund Drive Worker Information
Name Charles McCollum
Team Mitchell/Cleveland
- How much are season tickets ?
The tickets themselves are around $550 per pair but to qualify you must contribute to the VASF. A contribution of as little as $100 should qualify for some variety of mini-season tickets but $250-500 will likely be required for a pair of full season tickets. So the total expense would be a minimum of $500ish to $1050ish per pair..
- Am I guaranteed season tickets for donating?
No. New donors are not guaranteed, but it is very likely that you will get tickets if you follow the prescribed amounts. Existing donors guarantee their seating priority by making the contribution deadline every year.
- If for some reason I don't get tickets, can I get my contribution back?
In a word, Yes. However the VASF would like to remind donors that these contributions are vital to the success of UT's Academic and Athletic programs. If you follow the advise of a Fund drive worker it is likely that you will indeed get tickets but there is no guarantee.
- Must I make this contribution each year ?
Yes. To retain priority seating donors must contribute each year.
- What is the difference between Priority and Non-priority seats?
Priority seats are renewable yearly. Non-priority are not renewable. That is the biggest difference. However, non-priority seats also do not include the option to buy parking passes, away game tickets, bowl game tickets and do not accumulate points in the VASF priority system.
- Do I have to make my donation in cash?
No. Donations can be cash, property, capital gains on investments and more. Basically, if you have something with real cash value and would like to see if you can use it towards your donation, we can always ask. I'm told that this is quite popular, especially in protecting capital gains.
- Is the contribution tax deductible ?
Yes. Contributions are deductible at 80% or up to 100% if you choose not to use your contribution towards seating priority. Ticket prices, however, are not part of the tax deduction.
- How can I get tickets sitting with a friend or relative of mine ?
Well, first of all, that friend or relative has to be willing to move. The seats on either side might not become available so getting say, 4 together might require a move. Secondly, if this is agreed then you need only submit your donations together with a note requesting that your seats be together.
- What if I give, say $1100 instead of $1000 ?
If you are a new donor and give an amount greater than the minimum priority amount then you will have a greater chance of getting tickets. New and existing donors increase their priority for away games when they give greater amounts.
- What is this employer funds matching ?
Some employers match employee contributions to charitable organizations. Some even match at rates up to 3-1 so check with your personnel department.
- My company only matches academic scholarships. Is there any way my donation can be applied to ticket priority ?
No. Unfortunately from 1999 on only companies which match the athletic scholarships will be accepted. Donors prior to 1999 may still submit forms of academic nature.
- What is the Check-off program ?
You can now make your contributions monthly. Your pledge to the VASF prior to the deadline will give you full credit for your donation and subsequent seating priority. Then, your contribution is divided into monthly payments and automatically deducted from your checking or savings account the 5th of each month.
Back to the info request form
- Can I make a larger lump payment up front to lower my monthly payments?
Sure.
- What about parking, is that included?
Sort of. A parking pass is optional with your donation and ticket request. They are On-Campus so they are generally pretty close. It is at an additional cost but generally cheaper than parking at off campus sites. One's proximity to the stadium is in proportion to their donation level. The first few years of giving usually won't get you on campus parking because there are so few available. However, donors of $5000 or more will get good parking from the very first year.
- Oh yea and how about other sports like baseball, basketball and Lady Vol sports. Can I qualify for tickets to those with this one donation too?
Yes. The cost of the tickets, of course, is extra but the one donation qualifies you for parking and tickets to all the sporting events on campus. Quality baseball tickets are pretty easy to come by, however, Lower level basketball tickets were sold by Permanent Seat Licenses when TBA was built. That being the case, expect basketball availability in the upper levels with the occational end court lower level and very rare side court lower level seats.
- And away games... I just gotta follow my Vols to Bama and the Swamp. Can I get away tickets too ?
Yes. Generally most of the away games are pretty easy to get tickets to though UT with your donation but marquee games like Bama and Florida are harder to come by and quantity restrictions may apply. Sometimes not all donors qualify, however, the higher your donation level the greater your chances are of getting away tickets to those marquee games. (Usually $2500+ is the benchmark for getting marquee games, one pair)
- What's in it for a fund drive worker and why is GridScape doing this?
Pride and fulfillment. Actually, being a fund drive worker is like selling Girl Scout Cookies. Fund Drive workers get prizes for attaining certain levels of donations for the VASF. The prizes aren't BMW's or Lexus but they are neat things like a UT football helmet or an autographed football perhaps, things a Vol Fan lives for. Also, fund drive workers get priority points which help with parking and away game requests.
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