Received the following email from Mike Thomas today. Discuss.

I want to thank you for your loyal support of University of Cincinnati Athletics and in particular your commitment to Bearcat Football through your membership in UCATS and purchase of season tickets. While the ingredients that ultimately determine a program’s success are the subject of much debate, one undeniable truth to building and sustaining championship performance in college athletics today is the presence of a community of faithful investors.

This has been a tough year for many programs that usually find themselves at the top of the rankings, including teams that have played in 5 of the last 6 National Championship games. For these schools, their path back to championship form will be largely determined by the resolve of their fan base. Can those who celebrated during the high times be counted on when the fortunes of the program have slipped? We are faced with that same challenge. For the first time in four years we will not be traveling to a bowl game. This reality has prompted us to review our current bowl ticket credit policy.

In 2007 we instituted the bowl ticket credit for the purpose of elevating the expectations of the football program and to appeal to prospective bowls with the statement that the University of Cincinnati had, in fact, received nearly 13,000 down payments for bowl tickets. The concept has served us well and three years of record-setting bowl participation from our loyal Bearcat fans is proof positive.

Our current bowl ticket credit policy states that, “in the event that the Bearcats do not a make a bowl game, the bowl ticket becomes a donation…” After careful examination, we have decided to amend the policy to provide you with the option of applying your $50 per season ticket bowl credit toward the purchase of a season ticket for the 2011 season. In order to convert your bowl ticket credit into 2011 season tickets you will have to visit http://www.ucats.net , and click “2010 Bowl Ticket Credit” which will guide you through your options or call 1-877-55-UCATS. Applying your bowl ticket credit toward a 2011 season ticket will be available through December 31, 2010 at which time all bowl credits will be processed as a donation.

I would ask you to consider making your bowl ticket credit a donation as initially positioned. In my tenure as your Director of Athletics we have attempted to promote a sense of ownership among UC alumni and the Cincinnati Community, openly sharing the challenges that confront the university in efforts to realize our CATAPULT ideals of building & sustaining championship performance while distinguishing ourselves in the classroom and in the community. Transparency as to our challenges has always brought out the best in Bearcat shareholders. I am confident that this will be another defining moment for our program.

Making your bowl ticket credit a donation will allow us to address some pressing needs across the program that we simply cannot cover in our current budget situation. Creating value for UCATS members, stabilizing our revenue streams and offsetting scholarship costs are among the priorities where donated bowl credits will be directed. Those choosing to donate their bowl ticket credits will receive 2 times the priority points typically applied to unrestricted contributions.

I trust you will rise to the challenge providing the support needed to return the program to Top 20 status and we thank you for your continued interest and support of Bearcat Athletics. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season!

Sincerely,



Mike Thomas

Director of Athletics


Shortly, you will be receiving this letter in the mail from Mike Thomas, Director of Athletics at the University of Cincinnati regarding the bowl credits that were included in your Football season tickets for the 2010 season.

Previously, our policy regarding Bowl Credits has indicated that unused credits would be turned over as a donation to the program. This year, we are amending the policy to allow season ticket holders to have an option with their credits.

The options are:

1. Roll the bowl credits over to 2011 Football season tickets. These credits are non-transferable and must be used for season tickets for the 2011 Football season.

2. Donate the bowl credits as an undesignated gift to UCATS to support the University of Cincinnati’s student-athletes.

Please go to http://www.ucats.net and click the ‘Bowl Credit Intention’ button. A reply is required by December 31, 2010. If we do not get a response regarding your bowl credits, they will automatically be processed as a donation. As always, your donation to UCATS is tax deductible, and for this donation, you will receive two times the priority points typically applied to unrestricted contributions.

I like that MT did that. No sense in irritating people over $50. That said, they can keep my $.

I agree. I'm donating mine too, but I like the gesture.

i'm also donating our credits. the email was a little long but had a good message.

i'm also donating our credits. the email was a little long but had a good message.

i'm also donating our credits. the email was a little long but had a good message.

I think we're going to apply our credits to next year's season tickets.

Good PR move. I'm donating it.

(12-02-2010 10:27 AM)bearcatjim Wrote:  Good PR move. I'm donating it.

Us too. Good move by the AD, though, to show their ticket holders some consideration.

Donate.