Yes, Gamecock Athletics has made the pledge that any season ticket holder requesting a refund for their 2020 football season tickets will have the right to renew their tickets for the 2021 season. Season ticket holders must renew their 2021 Gamecock Club membership at their original level to maintain priority on season ticket locations.
Gamecock Athletics has put in place the fan-friendly pledge that any season ticket holder who would like a refund of their 2020-21 season tickets and Gamecock Club Membership may receive one while retaining their right to renew their tickets in 2021-22. With 40% of our revenue at risk, the department is also asking its donors to consider several options to reinvest those monies into a tax-deductible donation to the Athletics COVID-19 Resilience Fund. Donors participating in one of the reinvest options will be rewarded with increased priority points, future account credits and a series of once-in-a-lifetime experiences based on donation level.
Program Overview
While we are committed to providing the option to receive a full refund, your consideration of the options below is highly encouraged. Donors contribute over 40% of our department’s revenues and the reinvestment of these funds will be critical to our success moving forward. Your options are listed below:
1. Reinvest: Significant incentives will be provided for donors willing to reinvest refundable dollars to cover athletics scholarships and the other expenses incurred by our over 500 Gamecock student-athletes.
2. Reward: This program will reward donors who maintain any portion of their 2020 Gamecock Club membership and/or their 2020 season ticket payments.
3. Refund: While you may receive a refund for your 2020 Gamecock Club membership, ticket payments, and other items, donors who renew their membership by the 2021 Gamecock Club deadline may retain their season tickets for 2021.
1. Reinvest
The funds provided by our Gamecock fans are imperative to the experience we provide our student-athletes. The loyalty of Gamecock fans is legendary, and while they may not be able to pack our venues this year, the willingness of our fanbase to reinvest these funds will position our student-athletes to emerge from these trying times poised to succeed. Options for reinvestment are listed below:
- Ticket-related payments
- Donate your 2020 football season ticket funds to the Athletics COVID-19 Resilience Fund and experience the once-in-a-lifetime Gamecock experiences described below in the rewards section of the plan.
- Roll your 2020 football season ticket payment to the 2021 football season and receive a 10% account credit to be used for future charges like tickets or membership.
- Gamecock Club dues
- Forever Loyal: Let your 2020 donation to the Gamecock Club stand and quadruple the number of priority points you received for that donation and receive a one-year seat selection bonus when renewing your 2021 membership at your current giving level or above, giving you an amazing window to improve your season ticket locations. Selecting this option allows you to keep/purchase all other season tickets (men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball) for the 2020-21 athletics season.
- Example: 2020 Silver Spur paid $3,500 in January 2020. A donor selecting this option would receive 140 priority points for the gift, rather than 35 priority points. They would then owe $3,500 in Gamecock Club dues in January 2021 and be able to select amongst other Garnet Spurs at their 2021 selection times.
- Tax deduction: 70-100% depending on WBB/MBB/BSB tickets.
- Loyalty Discount: Let your 2020 donation to the Gamecock Club stand and receive a 20% credit for your 2021 Gamecock Club renewal while tripling the number of priority points you received for your 2020 donation. Selecting this option allows you to keep/purchase all other season tickets (men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball) for the 2020-21 athletics season.
- Example: 2020 Silver Spur paid $3,500 in January 2020. A donor selecting this option would receive 105 priority points (instead of 35) and a $700 credit for their 2021 Gamecock Club dues, decreasing their Gamecock Club dues owed in January 2021 to $2,800.
- Tax deduction: 50-80% depending on WBB/MBB/BSB tickets.
- Donor’s Choice: Let a portion of your 2020 donation to the Gamecock Club stand and receive double the priority points for every dollar you donate in 2020. Please note that if selecting this option, you would have to maintain 10% of your Gamecock Club dues per sport if you wish to purchase season tickets for any of the following 2020-21 seasons: men’s basketball, women’s basketball and baseball. Remaining membership donation can be applied towards 2021 Gamecock Club renewal dues or as a refund.
- Example: 2020 Silver Spur paid $3,500 in January 2020 and wants to donate $1,050 to support Gamecock student-athletes and retain the right to buy WBB/MBB/BSB season tickets. This donor wants to roll the balance of their donation ($2,450) to their 2021 Gamecock Club dues. The donor would owe $1,050 in January 2021 for Gamecock Club dues with a priority points break out as follows for their 2020 donation:
- $1,050 x .01 X 2 = 21 points for 2020 donation (up from 10.5)
- $2,450 x .01 x 1.5 = 36.75 points for 2021 rollover
- 75 total points (up from 35 points)
- Example: 2020 Silver Spur paid $3,500 in January 2020 and wants to donate $1,050 to support Gamecock student-athletes and retain the right to buy WBB/MBB/BSB season tickets. This donor wants to roll the balance of their donation ($2,450) to their 2021 Gamecock Club dues. The donor would owe $1,050 in January 2021 for Gamecock Club dues with a priority points break out as follows for their 2020 donation:
- Rollover: Rather than taking a refund for your 2020 Gamecock Club donation, apply these funds to your 2021 Gamecock Club membership and receive 1.5x the priority points for every dollar you roll forward.
- Forever Loyal: Let your 2020 donation to the Gamecock Club stand and quadruple the number of priority points you received for that donation and receive a one-year seat selection bonus when renewing your 2021 membership at your current giving level or above, giving you an amazing window to improve your season ticket locations. Selecting this option allows you to keep/purchase all other season tickets (men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball) for the 2020-21 athletics season.
Bonus Priority Points Calculator
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2. Reward
Those donors willing to donate back any season ticket-related monies to the Athletics COVID-19 Resilience Fund will have the opportunity to enjoy a series of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. These experiences are detailed below (opportunity to receive benefits at level and all of those listed below). Any donor willing to rollover their ticket money to next year will receive a 10% credit on their account.
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3. Refund
While we strongly encourage our loyal fans to consider reinvesting their refund in our student-athletes, Gamecock Athletics is committed to taking a fan-friendly approach during these trying times and offers a variety of refund options as explained below:
- Any donors who do not feel safe attending games during the 2020 football season can receive a full refund for their season tickets and related items.
- Donors with only football season tickets who opt out of the upcoming season may also receive a full refund of their 2020 Gamecock Club membership dues.
- Donors with season tickets for men’s basketball, women’s basketball or baseball will be required to retain 10% of their Gamecock Club dues for each of those sports for which they retain their 2020-21 season tickets (maximum 30%).
FAQs
If I opt to donate funds back to the athletics department that I could have had refunded, are they tax deductible?
Any money spent that a donor could take as a refund is no longer a required payment. These donated funds will be allocated to the Athletics COVID-19 Resilience Fund and the donor will be issued a tax receipt for the value of the gift minus the value of any benefits received from their donation.
If my seats are in the newly renovated areas, how will the changes for 2020 impact my required payments in future years?
The season ticket discount provided to donors renewing seats in these areas in 2020 will be extended to the 2021 season. The additional discount provided for the 2021 season will be offered in 2022, so those fans who sat in these areas previously will not pay full price until the 2023 season.
Will I have a chance to change my decision later regarding a refund or is the decision I make now final?
We are asking donors to reply to this request by August 20 so that we have an idea how many seat holders would like to purchase season tickets this fall. We do not anticipate having a final decision on a seating capacity or an approved plan for seat assignment until after that date. Additional opportunities to opt out will come in conjunction with the seat assignment process.
Can I retain men’s basketball, women’s basketball or baseball season tickets if I opt for a football season ticket and Gamecock Club refund?
Season ticket holders who wish to maintain their ability to purchase men’s basketball, women’s basketball and/or baseball season tickets will need to donate 10% of their Gamecock Club membership for each sport for which they wish to retain season tickets. The Donor’s Choice option is perfect for this fan, leaving them the ability to select a donation amount that correlates to their desire to attend those games. Remaining membership donation beyond the required 10% per sport can be transitioned to a tax-deductible donation, applied towards 2021 renewal or taken as a refund.
I am signed up for the 10-month payment plan, which includes my 2020 ticket fees and 2021 Gamecock Club membership. How will those payments be processed moving forward?
All tickets and Gamecock Club pledges on your account will be adjusted according to the options you select on the 2020 Football Declaration Form. Any remaining amount due to the department will continue to be charged via monthly prorated payments over the remaining months of your plan. Any funds a donor could take as a refund can be transitioned into a donation or refunded, in which case, no additional automatic charges would be made until your next payment plan begins in April 2021.
When and how can I receive a refund?
Donors who indicate that they would like to receive a refund and fill out the survey by August 20 will receive their refund via check by the middle of September. Refund requests that come in after August 20 will be processed and checks will be mailed by the first week of October.
