Basketball Ticket Frequently Asked Questions

August 1, 2007, the system was applied to the allocation of available season tickets, parking passes and ticket upgrades in all Lady Vol sports and to post season events in all sports, affecting high ticket demand events such as the Final Four and the College World Series.

Contributions to any other development funds of the University of Tennessee at any time are not counted towards a donor’s Lady Vol point total.

Donors will be notified in advance of associated deadlines of any modification of the point system deemed necessary by the women’s athletics department.

2. Why did the Lady Vols change to a point system? 

The Lady Vols only considered total yearly cumulative giving and annual membership level in determining how to allocate benefits prior to July 2007. Many donors, especially long time givers, felt that the length of service should be counted as well. The point system enables the Lady Vol donors to receive credit for such things as the number of years they have been giving, beginning in 1976 to women’s athletics, and even award points to varsity letter winners.

The point system primarily measures two factors: Points are awarded based on consecutive years of giving to women’s athletics (regardless of giving level), and total contributions.

3. In monetary terms, how are points allocated, i.e. what is the value of one point? 

One (1) point per $100 given (i.e. $1000 donation is recognized with 10 points).

4. What are some of the priorities determined by the point system? 

The point system, as well as a donor’s annual gift level, will determine priority to purchase and location assignments for new ticket orders and change requests for Lady Vol season tickets, SEC and NCAA tournaments, parking passes for Lady Vol sports, and any other situations when donor requests must be prioritized.

5. How/When are points being awarded?

Points are awarded to a donor’s membership when the contribution funds are actually received in the Lady Vol office.

6. Does the point system affect my current season Women’s basketball ticket location?

No. Current athletic department policy enables a donor to receive the same seat assignment provided that the donor continues to make his/her annual contribution and meets all associated deadlines.

7. What’s the difference between my point total and my rank? 

Your point total determines your rank among other Lady Vol donors. The higher the point total, the “better” the ranking. In other words, the Lady Vol donor with the most points is ranked one (1) out of all 6270 Lady Vol donors (as of May, 2008).

8. When is the rank determined? 

After all gifts have been received and recorded each year, the Lady Vols will rank donors for the purpose of benefits associated with the upcoming seasons. These benefits include new season ticket orders, change requests, parking pass locations, and special events.

The Lady Vol rank will be used to determine basketball seat assignment, seat changes and parking for the upcoming season. Finally, the Lady Vols will rank all donors to determine priority for basketball postseason tournaments and other sports when necessary.

As long as the matching gift form is correctly completed and included with the gift, the donor is recognized at the membership level qualified for by the total pledge. However, points from matching gifts can only be awarded when that matching donation actually arrives. For example, a donor sends a $500 gift on February 5th along with a matching gift form which will enable the Lady Vols to receive another $500 from the donor’s employer. The total gift will be $1000 and the donor is immediately recognized at the Director’s level. The membership receives five (5) points from the $500 contributions as soon as the gift is recorded. However, the donor cannot receive the five (5) points from the employer’s contribution until that contribution is actually received, which, in some cases may take several months. Matching gift donors are urged to send their contributions and match forms in to the Lady Vol office as soon as possible to accelerate the receipt of the matching gift.