http://www.gobearcats.com/facilities/ind...ility.html

Please see the most recent release below regarding the Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex. We appreciate your support and understand that with additional information comes additional questions regarding the project. Know that we have heard many of your questions and greatly value your feedback. Please continue to visit the Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex website periodically for the latest facts, news, releases, frequently asked questions, and donor testimonials. This site will be updated frequently throughout the campaign and we encourage you to visit regularly for the latest updates. If you ever have any questions please contact the UCATS office directly at 1-877-55-UCATS. Thank you for your continued support of Bearcats Athletics, and for being tremendous ambassadors for the University of Cincinnati.

UCATS Answers Frequently Asked Questions About Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex

9/29/2009 - The recent facility fundraising push for the Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex has created an influx of recent donor activity and raised some common questions throughout the UC Athletics support base. The voice of Bearcats Nation has been heard, and UCATS takes a moment to address some of the common questions regarding the practice facility fundraising that have surfaced in recent weeks. Anyone with additional questions is encouraged to contact the UCATS office directly at 1-877-55-UCATS.

Indoor Practice Facility FAQ's

1. How is the Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex project associated with the University's overarching $1 Billion Proudly Cincinnati capital campaign? Will funds generated for the university's capital campaign be directed to the Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex?
The Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex is an approved initiative of the $1 billion Proudly Cincinnati comprehensive capital campaign. The vast majority of gifts received under the Proudly Cincinnati umbrella are designated for a specific purpose to a particular school or unit. In every instance donor intent will be honored leaving the Department of Athletics and the UC Foundation responsible for raising funds for the Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex.

2. Is the Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex the permanent name for the planned facility?
It is our hope that Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex is a tentative name for the project. We are actively seeking a naming rights gift for the project. The University has some fairly rigid criteria that must be met in order to name a facility on campus.

3. What payment methods can be used to donate to the project?
Flexible payment methods and terms can be tailored by contacting the UCATS office (1-877-55-UCATS). Unfortunately, our online system is not yet equipped to process specialized payments terms. Gifts can be made by cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, stocks, and transferred securities. By contacting the UCATS Office we can set up automated deductions on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.

4. If I would like to set-up a payment plan, what kind of terms can I establish?
According to university guidelines all gifts made toward a capital project must be paid in full within a 5-year period of when construction is complete. Gifts and pledges made toward the Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex can be paid over a 5-year period. Where possible donors are encouraged to frontload their gifts as this will greatly reduce finance costs.

5. Does every dollar donated go directly to the practice facility?
Yes. As with every non-endowed gift to Athletics, 100% of a donor's gift is used for the purpose for which it was solicited.

6. I am a UCATS member, how does a donation to the Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex impact my annual donation?
Gifts to the practice facility are above and beyond the tier requirement associated with your priority seating for football and men's basketball. All gifts associated with priority seating are directed to the UCATS annual funds which are used to fund UC Athletics' annual scholarship expense. While gifts to the Jefferson Avenue sports complex do not count towards your annual tier requirement, you do accrue additional priority points based on your gift. For more detailed information regarding the UCATS priority point structure, please click here.

7. Early estimates for the Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex showed the project to have an estimated cost of $9 million. The latest release shows the estimated cost to be $13.5 million. Why has the projected cost increased in recent months?
Early estimates where just that - estimates. As plans have been refined and the scope of the project expanded to maximize functionality for the campus and the Cincinnati community certain elements have been added. Many of the amenities that have been incorporated to the latest plans include elements that speak to the community asset value of the facility. These amenities include a seating area, press box, training space, locker rooms, concessions, restrooms, and a scoreboard.

8. Since the University has over $7 million raised to-date, is it possible to start construction on the fields now, completing the rest of the project in phases?
The university will not allow Athletics, or any unit on campus, to proceed on a project for which funding has not been secured. Construction will commence late in the calendar year and by that time the funds we have lined up will determine the scope of the project. We are determined to meet a completion date of September 2010 so we have to proceed. Obviously this creates a true sense of urgency to have funds secured by the end of the football season.
While the project could be completed in stages, the experts have indicated that the most cost-effective way to proceed would be plan for the full scope of the project from the outset as opposed to adding elements in later phases. Also, construction within a specified time frame is very important to the campus community. Projects of this magnitude can be disruptive so there is a premium on keeping the project limited to a 9-10 month window.

9. Will I receive any form of recognition for donating to the practice facility project?
It is important to UC Athletics to recognize the private support of individuals that make such capital campaigns possible. Again, every penny of every dollar donated to this project goes directly to the practice facilities. Alternative recognition programs (ex: brick campaign) can carry associated expenses that hinder the ability to truly meet the financial demands of a project of this magnitude. The goal of UC Athletics is to satisfy donor intent and maximize dollars designated to the construction of the facility. The generosity of Bearcats fans and the Greater Cincinnati Community will not go unnoticed, and alternative forms of recognition will be provided.

10. What is the Sheakley Match?
UC Athletics benefactor Larry Sheakley, CEO of The Sheakley Group, has issued a $1 million challenge to help drive the final fundraising push. In an effort to raise the necessary funds while growing the donor base, Mr. Sheakley will match every contribution up to a personal commitment of $1 million.

11. What marketing efforts and grassroots fundraising initiatives are being planned for the project?
With the additional leverage provided by Larry Sheakley we are at a point where we can move to the mass appeal stage of this campaign. It is important through the opportunity associated with unprecedented excitement surrounding Bearcat football that we grow our base of support and extend the Bearcat Family.
For several years we have talked about how ownership of Bearcat Athletics resides with the students, UC alumni and the Cincinnati community. If we are to realize the ideals of our CATAPULT vision, we must attract more owners/investors. Private Support is the margin of difference in college athletics today. It is our hope that you will affirm our vision and the progress made by investing in the future of Bearcat Athletics.

Any questions regarding the Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex should be directed to the UCATS office via email at ucats@uc.edu or call 1-877-55-UCATS.

Thank you for the feedback UCats.

My question(s) -

Is there an active marketing effort at home football games this year to solicit donations for the complex? Is there something put up on the scoreboard telling where to donate and showing renderings of the complex? Are there places at the game where fans can make donations (i.e., specific booths)? If not, why not? Where else are people completely pumped about Bearcat football and focused on the program? We have four more home games this year and you would think game day donations could make a significant dent in this.

Secondly, people like to see the results of their online donations (even if it is only $20 at a time). Many online services now offer real time updates of contribution amounts (particularly when donating to political campaigns). You donate to the candidate of your choice and you instantly see the number go up toward the fundraising goal. This can build momentum for the fundraising drive. For example, the guy who is running against Rep. Wilson in South Carolina raised almost a million through online fundraising in about three days... http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/19079
I know we wouldn't have that kind of nationwide success, but please get us an online donation portal where we can see real time results. Surely somewhere in the UC community, we have the programmers to get this done.

Oh and you could also collect email addresses from this online donation drive for future email solicitation...

(10-01-2009 04:31 PM)AZBCAT Wrote:  Thank you for the feedback UCats.

My question(s) -

Is there an active marketing effort at home football games this year to solicit donations for the complex? Is there something put up on the scoreboard telling where to donate and showing renderings of the complex? Are there places at the game where fans can make donations (i.e., specific booths)? If not, why not? Where else are people completely pumped about Bearcat football and focused on the program? We have four more home games this year and you would think game day donations could make a significant dent in this.

Secondly, people like to see the results of their online donations (even if it is only $20 at a time). Many online services now offer real time updates of contribution amounts (particularly when donating to political campaigns). You donate to the candidate of your choice and you instantly see the number go up toward the fundraising goal. This can build momentum for the fundraising drive. For example, the guy who is running against Rep. Wilson in South Carolina raised almost a million through online fundraising in about three days... http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/19079
I know we wouldn't have that kind of nationwide success, but please get us an online donation portal where we can see real time results. Surely somewhere in the UC community, we have the programmers to get this done.

Oh and you could also collect email addresses from this online donation drive for future email solicitation...

Missed this thread.

Your questions are basically the same as mine. They put in a question about marketing and then failed to answer it. Doesn't make sense that they don't do more to publish this kind of info to anyone who will listen.

This project was all over the CATSvision board during the first two home games this year.

(10-02-2009 01:36 PM)UC Marketing Wrote:  This project was all over the CATSvision board during the first two home games this year.

I saw those, but what I don't get is why you guys don't have the announcer direct people's attention to those displays.

I live in Phoenix, so can't get to games often (although I'll be there over Thanksgiving for the U of I game). So I was asking more for my edification. I do think some sort of announcement during the game and booths near the entrances with displays of the project and people taking donations would be helpful if they aren't done already.

I just sent in my donation, though I would have preferred to make it through PayPal, which wasn't offered.

The jefferson Athletic Complex is almost complete, though there is still fund raising to go to hit the $13.5 goal. I have 2 questions: 1. Where in the fundraising campaign is the AD? and 2. Has an account/fundraising effort been set up for the expansion of Nippert as or yet? Thanks and go Bearcats.

The complex is not even close to complete. This year is just phase 1 (the fields, the new thermal storage tank under the short field, and the walls around the complex) of the project. Phase 2 (the stands, press box, concessions, etc.) does not begin until next spring.

"Your questions are basically the same as mine. They put in a question about marketing and then failed to answer it. Doesn't make sense that they don't do more to publish this kind of info to anyone who will listen."

I don't think so, maybe they are busy or there has a reason why they don't do more to publish the info.