(03-29-2022 09:31 AM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(03-29-2022 09:07 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(03-29-2022 08:34 AM)GeorgeBorkFan Wrote:  

(03-29-2022 08:00 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  Athletics made a change regarding the premium seat fees. These fees (such as those charged for chairback and benchback seats) no longer count towards benefit contributions. They are using the rationale that other schools are doing it because these fees have not been tax deductible for several years. However, we are not using these fees for a tax deduction, but they used to count as a donation for figuring benefits. No more! These fees are now called Per Seat License (PSL) just like the big boys call them.

Yep.

Does anyone remember what the premium seat fee was in previous years?

The chairback fees are $150 per seat. So, for me, that means $600 will no longer go towards my contribution for benefits. Makes no difference to me because I'm certainly not going to send them another $600 for something that would go towards my benefits.

Yep. I have two chairbacks in row 18 and this change has eliminated my access to the permit parking lots, unless you make yet another contribution. To retain parking in my previously assigned permit lot, I would now have to pay yet another $300…..not going to happen. This is really annoying to me. This may very well be my final year, after over 40 years of having season tickets.

I completely agree with you. This may also be my last year for season tickets. They are doing everything in their power to alienate us true and loyal fans. Next, it would not surprise me to see them raise the dollar levels for benefits. They should be doing everything in their power to increase the number of fans, not alienate and lose the few they have. But, this does not surprise me with the way they do things.

(03-29-2022 09:07 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(03-29-2022 08:34 AM)GeorgeBorkFan Wrote:  

(03-29-2022 08:00 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  Athletics made a change regarding the premium seat fees. These fees (such as those charged for chairback and benchback seats) no longer count towards benefit contributions. They are using the rationale that other schools are doing it because these fees have not been tax deductible for several years. However, we are not using these fees for a tax deduction, but they used to count as a donation for figuring benefits. No more! These fees are now called Per Seat License (PSL) just like the big boys call them.

Yep.

Does anyone remember what the premium seat fee was in previous years?

The chairback fees are $150 per seat. So, for me, that means $600 will no longer go towards my contribution for benefits. Makes no difference to me because I'm certainly not going to send them another $600 for something that would go towards my benefits.

Right, but I was thinking the premium seat fee was less in prior years. My memory might be bad on that.

(03-29-2022 09:31 AM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(03-29-2022 09:07 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(03-29-2022 08:34 AM)GeorgeBorkFan Wrote:  

(03-29-2022 08:00 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  Athletics made a change regarding the premium seat fees. These fees (such as those charged for chairback and benchback seats) no longer count towards benefit contributions. They are using the rationale that other schools are doing it because these fees have not been tax deductible for several years. However, we are not using these fees for a tax deduction, but they used to count as a donation for figuring benefits. No more! These fees are now called Per Seat License (PSL) just like the big boys call them.

Yep.

Does anyone remember what the premium seat fee was in previous years?

The chairback fees are $150 per seat. So, for me, that means $600 will no longer go towards my contribution for benefits. Makes no difference to me because I'm certainly not going to send them another $600 for something that would go towards my benefits.

Yep. I have two chairbacks in row 18 and this change has eliminated my access to the permit parking lots, unless you make yet another contribution. To retain parking in my previously assigned permit lot, I would now have to pay yet another $300…..not going to happen. This is really annoying to me. This may very well be my final year, after over 40 years of having season tickets.

Across my dad and I, we have five seats.

I'd be curious as to if all the chairbacks and benchbacks have even been sold in prior years. There are a lot of empty seats around us.

(03-29-2022 09:48 AM)GeorgeBorkFan Wrote:  

(03-29-2022 09:07 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(03-29-2022 08:34 AM)GeorgeBorkFan Wrote:  

(03-29-2022 08:00 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  Athletics made a change regarding the premium seat fees. These fees (such as those charged for chairback and benchback seats) no longer count towards benefit contributions. They are using the rationale that other schools are doing it because these fees have not been tax deductible for several years. However, we are not using these fees for a tax deduction, but they used to count as a donation for figuring benefits. No more! These fees are now called Per Seat License (PSL) just like the big boys call them.

Yep.

Does anyone remember what the premium seat fee was in previous years?

The chairback fees are $150 per seat. So, for me, that means $600 will no longer go towards my contribution for benefits. Makes no difference to me because I'm certainly not going to send them another $600 for something that would go towards my benefits.

Right, but I was thinking the premium seat fee was less in prior years. My memory might be bad on that.

Several years ago, I believe the premium seat fee for the chairbacks was $125.

(03-29-2022 09:47 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(03-29-2022 09:31 AM)HuskieDave Wrote:  

(03-29-2022 09:07 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(03-29-2022 08:34 AM)GeorgeBorkFan Wrote:  

(03-29-2022 08:00 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  Athletics made a change regarding the premium seat fees. These fees (such as those charged for chairback and benchback seats) no longer count towards benefit contributions. They are using the rationale that other schools are doing it because these fees have not been tax deductible for several years. However, we are not using these fees for a tax deduction, but they used to count as a donation for figuring benefits. No more! These fees are now called Per Seat License (PSL) just like the big boys call them.

Yep.

Does anyone remember what the premium seat fee was in previous years?

The chairback fees are $150 per seat. So, for me, that means $600 will no longer go towards my contribution for benefits. Makes no difference to me because I'm certainly not going to send them another $600 for something that would go towards my benefits.

Yep. I have two chairbacks in row 18 and this change has eliminated my access to the permit parking lots, unless you make yet another contribution. To retain parking in my previously assigned permit lot, I would now have to pay yet another $300…..not going to happen. This is really annoying to me. This may very well be my final year, after over 40 years of having season tickets.

I completely agree with you. This may also be my last year for season tickets. They are doing everything in their power to alienate us true and loyal fans. Next, it would not surprise me to see them raise the dollar levels for benefits. They should be doing everything in their power to increase the number of fans, not alienate and lose the few they have. But, this does not surprise me with the way they do things.

You give them way too much credit. Lack of thinking this out thoroughly, yes, but not to much thought to alienate you.

If people are near the bottom of their benefit category, this could easily drop people down to where they lose benefits (like HuskieDave). This will (and should) piss people off who are donating their hard-earned money for benefits that are important to them but not to Athletics. Is this the way you cater to your donors as well as build future donations and new HAF and season ticket members?

I have been saying for years that the STF administration talks out of both sides of their mouths. They spew out how much they appreciate the donors and how much we mean to them. It is and always has been empty words that are easy to see through. This, of course, will not affect the mega donors because the administration will never do anything against them (and they shouldn't). But, when it comes to the average donor - even those donating several thousand dollars - they couldn't give a rat's arse as to what they are doing to them. The elimination of a small benefit would mean nothing to the administration, but it may mean the world to the ordinary donor. And, it's just another of many signs that the administration craps all over us.

I recommend everyone who has issues with this change email the Athletic department, HAF staff, and President Freeman's office.

NIU Athletics doesn't have enough donors or football season ticket holders to be alienating them by reducing their benefits. If there was a huge demand for NIU football and tons of HAF donation revenue I could see making changes but that's not the case at all when we have to use another Illinois school's baseball stadium and we now regularly get attendances of 15k or less at football home games and 1,500 or less at basketball home games.

To add an extra bit of joy to our lives, Athletics has raised the price of premium location tickets:

Reserved season tickets on the West Side of Huskie Stadium are priced at $162 (sections C, D, E) or $144 (sections A, B, F, G) with general admission tickets on the East Side available for $97 each. Purchase a minimum of four reserved season tickets through the Huskie Plan for the discounted prices of $102 (sections B, F) or $88 (sections A, G) each.

That $162 seems to be a big jump. They are apparently looking to make up some lost revenue from the abysmal attendance. Do they think this will increase attendance? It may for the other sections, but the center West side could become a bit depleted. Smart move Athletics!

The bigger donors usually sit in the better seats. Yet another slap in the face. Also, there are a LOT of seniors who sit there, especially in the chairback or benchback seats. These people, many of whom may be on a fixed income, can least afford such increased prices. Why no discounted rates for seniors?

In their defense prices are rising everywhere and I’m sure it’s affecting their costs. $97 is a big jump on the east side too if I’m not mistaken.

I understand why prices for season tickets are rising. As noted, costs are going up literally everywhere. Huskie football is still the best bargain around for what you get, so I have no issue with higher costs. I do think the watering down of benefits that do not cost the athletic department money is not good business. Keep those in tact because this has no cost and can mean so much to the season ticket holder.

I haven't gotten anything in the mail for renewal or are they doing online only now?

(03-30-2022 11:48 AM)HuskiePride12 Wrote:  I haven't gotten anything in the mail for renewal or are they doing online only now?

HAF and season ticket packages are supposed to be mailed out in the next couple weeks. My guess is end of April.

(03-30-2022 07:31 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  To add an extra bit of joy to our lives, Athletics has raised the price of premium location tickets:

Reserved season tickets on the West Side of Huskie Stadium are priced at $162 (sections C, D, E) or $144 (sections A, B, F, G) with general admission tickets on the East Side available for $97 each. Purchase a minimum of four reserved season tickets through the Huskie Plan for the discounted prices of $102 (sections B, F) or $88 (sections A, G) each.

That $162 seems to be a big jump. They are apparently looking to make up some lost revenue from the abysmal attendance. Do they think this will increase attendance? It may for the other sections, but the center West side could become a bit depleted. Smart move Athletics!

The bigger donors usually sit in the better seats. Yet another slap in the face. Also, there are a LOT of seniors who sit there, especially in the chairback or benchback seats. These people, many of whom may be on a fixed income, can least afford such increased prices. Why no discounted rates for seniors?

DF-

Regarding your comment of $162 being a “big jump” in C,D,E. I’m fairly sure that’s the same I paid last year.

It’s a jump from 2019 but likely because there were only 5 home games whereas the last couple years it’s been 6.

(03-30-2022 12:30 PM)thxjoenovak Wrote:  

(03-30-2022 07:31 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  To add an extra bit of joy to our lives, Athletics has raised the price of premium location tickets:

Reserved season tickets on the West Side of Huskie Stadium are priced at $162 (sections C, D, E) or $144 (sections A, B, F, G) with general admission tickets on the East Side available for $97 each. Purchase a minimum of four reserved season tickets through the Huskie Plan for the discounted prices of $102 (sections B, F) or $88 (sections A, G) each.

That $162 seems to be a big jump. They are apparently looking to make up some lost revenue from the abysmal attendance. Do they think this will increase attendance? It may for the other sections, but the center West side could become a bit depleted. Smart move Athletics!

The bigger donors usually sit in the better seats. Yet another slap in the face. Also, there are a LOT of seniors who sit there, especially in the chairback or benchback seats. These people, many of whom may be on a fixed income, can least afford such increased prices. Why no discounted rates for seniors?

DF-

Regarding your comment of $162 being a “big jump” in C,D,E. I’m fairly sure that’s the same I paid last year.

I did some digging and found that I paid $150 last year. So, the increase is not as much as I originally thought. But, someone with 4 seats will pay $48 more, and that could impact some people. One of the friends I made at the stadium has 8 seats, so he will be paying $96 more.

Any additional fees I pay for tickets plus the PSL fees no longer counting toward the benefit amount will definitely impact my HAF contributions. Yes, things are costing more everywhere for sure, but money doesn't grow on trees. Plus, I need some cash to repair the air conditioning in my golf cart. Summers get hot!!

A little off topic but look at this beast. I’ll take this FB blocking for Brown at the goal line and score 10/10 times.

I contacted the ticket office yesterday and was advised that the season ticket renewal packages have been sent out.

I will be renewing my 4 tickets this year, even though I use maybe one and give the rest to family still in Illinois.

As I will be retiring soon, I hope to make it to another game or two. I consider this a contribution to the program, which operates on a shoestring.

I agree with the sentiments on here that season ticket holders don't seem to be valued, and that the game day experience needs to be enhanced. I was at the Wyoming game last year and was surprised at the lack of amenities. It's a chicken-egg kind of argument; enhance the experience and bring more people, but they need to bring in more fans to make the enhancements.

Having a winning team playing quality opponents helps, but the athletic department needs to market the games more in the Chicago/suburban area. Having Saturday games helps, doubtful you could sell a mid-week game in November to anyone.

Athletics has instituted a season ticket payment plan where you can spread the cost over 5 payments. This is a very good thing and will help a lot of people by making the outlays a bit easier.

Season Ticket Payment Plans

That's a great idea, and could be beneficial for a lot of families. I'm hoping the Mrs and I can find the house we want in Geneva so I can make NIU games a regular occurrence again

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(03-31-2022 05:42 PM)Stay Cool Wrote:  That's a great idea, and could be beneficial for a lot of families. I'm hoping the Mrs and I can find the house we want in Geneva so I can make NIU games a regular occurrence again

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I just recently sold my house in St.charles. The realtor I used is from Geneva If you’re in need of one. She was very good, knows the area/market.