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INTRODUCTION
COYOTE PRIORITY POINTS SYSTEM
SAMPLE DONOR ACCOUNTS
IMPORTANT DATES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
INTRODUCTION
Introducing the Coyote Priority Point System:
The University of South Dakota Athletics Department, the Howling Pack and its Board of Directors have redesigned the priority seating policy and are pleased to introduce the Coyote Priority Point System. This system will provide a fair and equitable way to allocate benefits to those that financially invest in Coyote Athletics.
The Coyote Point System awards points, called Coyote Points, to members of the Howling Pack and others that support USD Athletics. Coyote Points are allocated based on factors including current giving, giving history, purchasing of season tickets, graduating from USD and being a former student-athlete. Coyote Points are added up and all donors are ranked. The Howling Pack will use a donors’ Coyote Points total to determine the order for distributing benefits such as season ticket seat locations, reserved parking, access to away game/postseason tickets and invitations to special events. For the 2010-11 season, USD Athletics will ONLY use Coyote Points to allocate tickets to all away games for football and men’s/women’s basketball. Beginning with the 2011-12 season all other benefits, including the selection of season ticket seats, will be based on the total number of Coyote Points accumulated.
The implementation of Coyote Points brings USD in line with our peer schools in the Great West Conference, Summit League and other Division I institutions. This system helps you and USD do the following:
- Create a fair, equitable, consistent and incentive-based system for ALL donors that support USD Athletics.
- Reward your investment in USD Athletics.
- Enable USD Athletics to establish a transparent system underlying all decisions related to the distribution of benefits.
The Coyote Point System emphasizes the importance of annually making gifts that support USD Athletics. The best part about the Coyote Point System is that USD fans do not have to do anything extra to participate in the program – you just receive the rewards for your ongoing loyalty to and support of USD Athletics.
COYOTE PRIORITY POINTS SYSTEM
Coyote Points are awarded as follows:
Each year, gifts to the Howling Pack and other “athletic funds” earn TEMPORARY and PERMANENT Coyote Points. At the end of the year, temporary points are removed and the permanent points are carried over from the donors Coyote Points total.
Howling Pack Membership
TEMPORARY Coyote Points are awarded corresponding to the giving level of your Howling Pack membership.
- White Club 1,000 points
- Coaches Club 2,000 points
- Red Club 3,000 points
- Silver Club 4,000 points
- Diamond Club 5,000 points
- Gold Club 6,000 points
- Director’s Club 7,000 points
Giving History
PERMANENT Coyote Points are awarded for your cumulative giving to all “athletic funds” and for your support over consecutive years.
- 1 point per $100 for past giving to USD Athletics dating back to 1980
- 2 points for each consecutive year of Howling Pack membership, Coyote Athletic Fund or other “athletic fund”
Season Tickets
TEMPORARY Coyote Points are awarded for purchasing football and/or basketball season tickets.
- 5 points for each football and basketball season ticket purchased
PERMANENT Coyote Points are awarded for buying football and/or basketball season tickets over consecutive years.
- 2 points for each consecutive year as a football and/or basketball season ticket holder dating back to 2004
Bonus Points
One-time Coyote Points will be awarded as follows:
- 5 points for USD Alumni membership at the Life or Patron level
- 5 points for USD Student-Athlete
Important Information about the Coyote Point System
- Donors must have a current Howling Pack membership to be eligible for any benefits
- Membership to the Howling Pack must be made each calendar year (Jan. 1-Dec. 31) to maintain consecutive years of giving
- Failure to make any pledge and/or payment to the Howling Pack by any deadlines may affect your Coyote Points total and ranking for access to benefits
- Coyote Points are not transferable
- Howling Pack membership levels must still be met to become eligible for priority seating at the DakotaDome and priority parking eligibility
SAMPLE DONOR ACCOUNTS
- Charlie is a longtime supporter of USD Athletics. Since 1988, he has made annual gifts to USD Athletics for a total of $35,068, including a $600 gift to the Howling Pack for the 2010-11 fund drive. Charlie has purchased two season tickets for football (since 2004) and two season tickets for basketball (since 2006).
How many Coyote Points does Charlie have (before he purchases season tickets)?
- Red Club Membership Level ($600) = 3,000 points
- $35,068 lifetime giving x .01 (1 point per $100) = 350.68 points
- Consecutive years as a HP member, 23 years x 2 points = 46 points
- Consecutive Years as a USD season ticket holder, 6 years x 2 points = 12 points
3,408.68 Coyote Points; 408.68 permanent points carried over.
Charlie decides to purchase two season tickets for football (2010 season) and basketball (2010-11 season). How many Coyote Points does he now have?
- Red Club Membership Level ($600) = 3,000 points
- $35,068 lifetime giving x .01 (1 point per $100) = 350.68 points
- Consecutive years as a Howling Pack member, 23 years x 2 points = 46 points
- Two 2010 Football Season Tickets x 5 points = 10 points
- Two 2010-11 Basketball Season Tickets x 5 points = 10 points
- Consecutive Years as a USD season ticket holder, 7 years x 2 points = 14 points
3,430.68 Coyote Points; 410.68 permanent points carried over.
- Charlene has made gifts to USD Athletics from 1995-2003 and 2005-present for a total of $5,700, including a $300 gift to the Howling Pack for the 2010-11 fund drive. She has purchased two season tickets for basketball in 2004 and from 2006-present. In addition, Charlene is a former women’s basketball player (who has graduated from USD) and a Lifetime member of the USD Alumni Association.
How many Coyote Points does Charlene have (before she purchases season tickets)?
- Coaches Club Membership Level ($300) = 2,000 points
- $5,700 lifetime giving x .01 (1 points/$100) = 57 points
- Consecutive years as a Howling Pack Member, 6 years x 2 points = 12 points
- Consecutive years as a USD season ticket holder, 4 years x 2 points = 8 points
- Former USD Student-Athlete = 5 points
- USD Alumni Association Lifetime Member = 5 points
2,077 Coyote Points; 77 permanent points are carried over.
Charlene decides to purchase two season tickets for basketball (2010-11 season). How many Coyote Points does she now have?
- Coaches Club Membership Level ($300) = 2,000 points
- $5,700 lifetime giving x .01 (1 points/$100) = 57 points
- Consecutive years as a Howling Pack Member, 7 years x 2 points = 14 points
- Two 2010-11 Basketball Season Tickets x 5 points = 10 points
- Consecutive years as a USD season ticket holder, 5 years x 2 points = 10 points
- Former USD Student-Athlete = 5 points
- USD Alumni Association Lifetime Member = 5 points
2,101 Coyote Points; 91 permanent points are carried over.
IMPORTANT DATES
Below is information that outlines important dates regarding the 2010-11 Howling Pack Fund Drive, buying 2010 Football Tickets and Coyote Points. Be sure to check back for updates.
April 1, 2010
- 2010-11 Howling Pack Fund Drive begins
- USD Athletics announces details about Coyote Points
April 5, 2010
- 2010 Football Season Tickets on sale
April 13, 2010
- USD Athletics announces details on securing tickets for the following football games:
- USD @ Central Florida (September 4, 2010)
- USD @ Minnesota (September 11, 2010)
April 15, 2010
- 2010-11 Howling Pack members can purchase tickets for the following football games:
- USD @ Central Florida (September 4, 2010)
- USD @ Minnesota (September 11, 2010)
June 1, 2010
- Deadline to renew 2010 Football Season Tickets to guarantee same seat location as previous season
June 15, 2010
- Deadline for 2010-11 Howling Pack members can purchase tickets for the following football games:
- USD @ Central Florida (September 4, 2010)
- USD @ Minnesota (September 11, 2010)
June 30, 2010
- 2010-11 Howling Pack Fund Drive ends
July 1, 2010
- Single game tickets for 2010 Football Season are on sale
- General Public can purchase tickets for the following football games:
- USD @ Central Florida (September 4, 2010)
- USD @ Minnesota (September 11, 2010)
August 1, 2010
- All current Howling Pack members receive update on total Coyote Points accumulated and ranking (as of June 30, 2010)
- Deadline for all ticket requests for the following football games:
- @ Central Florida (September 4, 2010)
- @ Minnesota (September 11, 2010)
August 16, 2010
- 2010 Football Season Ticket sent
August 20, 2010
- Tickets for the following games are sent
- USD @ Central Florida (September 4, 2010)
- USD @ Minnesota (September 11, 2010)
December 31, 2010
- All 2010-11 Howling Pack memberships must be received (to maintain consecutive years of giving)
February 1, 2011
- All current Howling Pack members receive update on total Coyote Points accumulated and ranking (as of December 31, 2010)
- 2011-12 Howling Pack Fund Drive begins
April 30, 2011
- 2011-12 Howling Pack Fund Drive ends
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How does the Coyote Point System work?
A: The Coyote Point System uses many determining factors, including current year’s Howling Pack membership, giving history to funds that support USD Athletics, purchasing of season tickets, graduating from USD and being a former student-athlete. Each of these items are assigned a point value and are then added up to determine a donor’s point total. This point total, when compared with all other Howling Pack members, are ordered and ranked sequentially in descending order.
Q: How are my Coyote Points used?
A: Coyote Points will be used to determine ticket priority for the following:
- Assignment of seats for new season ticket holders and those who are requesting an improvement in their current location
- Dakota Days game at the Dakota Dome
- Single game tickets for both home and away (football and basketball)
- D-I Football Championship Subdivision Playoff Games (when eligible)
- NCAA, conference and postseason tournaments (when eligible)
Q: Will the new Coyote Points System affect my current season ticket location for the 2010-11 season?
A: No. Coyote Points will be used to help in the assignment of seats for new season ticket holders and those who are requesting an improvement in their current location. The Coyote Points System will also help in the assignment of the marquee games, home and away single games, FCS football playoffs (when eligible), and NCAA, Conference and postseason tournament ticket allocation.
Q: How do the Coyote Points affect my parking at the Dakota Dome?
A: Parking will be allocated based on your Howling Pack membership level. If there are not enough parking spaces for the number of Howling Pack members who qualify for the respective lot, the Coyote Point System will be used to determine the priority in which the lot is filled.
Q: What is the difference between the Howling Pack and the Coyote Point System?
A: The Howling Pack is our annual scholarship fundraising program. In order to have your Coyote Points calculated, you must be a current Howling Pack member. Howling Pack membership levels have various benefits, including the opportunity to purchase priority seating as well as access to preferred parking. Regardless of your Coyote Points total, you must maintain the required Howling Pack membership to access priority seating and parking. Your Coyote Points total will rank you and give you priority to the seats and parking benefits stated within your Howling Pack membership level.
Example: Charlie is a Red Club member ($600) of the Howling Pack and has two football season tickets in the priority section. He wants to move his seats closer to the field. His Coyote Points ranking will determine his position and access to open seats at the Dakota Dome. Those who have a higher ranking AND have requested better seats will have the first opportunity to move to the better open seats.
Q: When are Coyote Points calculated?
A: During the 2010-11 season, Coyote Points will be calculated on June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2010. They may also be calculated prior to special events such as D-Days or postseason games as the demand for tickets increases. Be sure to check the USD athletics website for updates.
Q: How do I find my Coyote Points total and ranking?
A: All 2010-11 Howling Pack members will be notified of their Coyote Points total and their ranking by August 1, 2010 and February 1, 2011. You may always contact the athletic development office for additional information.
Q: I make an annual donation to the Coyote Kick-Off Auction. How does this affect my Coyote Points?
A: Gifts donated to the Coyote Kick-Off Auction & Dinner, golf outings, and other events are very important to the success of our program and fundraising efforts; however, because of challenges with valuing gifts-in-kind, they will not count toward your Coyote Points. Any items that are donated to or purchased at any events will not be included.
Q: If I make a gift toward another part of campus other than USD Athletics, will this be counted in my Coyote Points?
A: No. Only USD Athletics gifts will count toward one’s Coyote Points total.
Q: Do matching gifts count in the Coyote Point System?
A: Yes. You will receive the appropriate amount of credit for all matching gifts attributed to you. Please be aware, however, that matched amounts are not tax deductible.
Q: Do sport-specific gifts count in the Coyote Point System?
A: Yes. If the donor is also an active member of the Howling Pack, their Coyote Points will be counted even if they designate a specific sport with their membership.
Q: Are points from a parent’s giving transferable to children?
A: No. Coyote Points are accrued in personal accounts for the lifetime of the active donor. When the donor and spouse are deceased, the Coyote Points are not applicable to other family members.
Q: What does “Historical Giving” include?
A: Howling Pack members will receive Coyote Points for charitable contributions made to USD Athletics that support USD’s athletics programs such as annual gifts, discretionary gifts, or athletic endowments since 1980. Matching gifts will be credited to the donor’s account to give full credit for support.
Q: Why do I only get credit for gifts since 1980 and season tickets since 2004?
A: With changes to our database, the USD athletics department can only accurately account for gifts since 1980 and season tickets purchased since 2004.
Q: I’ve been a Howling Pack member since 1990 but forgot to donate in 1995. Can I “buy” back that year to increase my consecutive years of giving?
A: Yes, you may “buy” back a year of giving. In order to do so, you must donate at the membership level you were at prior to your nonrenewal year. For example, Charlie donated $300 in 1990 but did not donate in 1991. Charlie is a current Howling Pack donor at $600. In order to “buy” back the year that was missed, 1991, Charlie must donate a total of $900 ($600 [current donation] + $300 [buy back gift]).
Q: I pay for my membership via payroll deduction or through electronic fund transfer. How does that affect my Coyote Points?
A: You are able to accumulate Coyote Points through your cash donations. All donations received through payroll deduction or electronic fund transfers by June 30 each year will be counted towards your Coyote Points total. You will still receive the Howling Pack membership benefits of the pledged amount.
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