HokieBoy,
I hesitate to reply to you, because this subject is very “touchy” here on TSL. I’ve written ad infinitum on the subject, and as a result, in some way, I’ve been PNGed. I’m assuming you posted this time because of today’s official announcement to order season tickets.
Everything you wrote is accurate and true, at least from my interactions on the same subject. At the town hall meeting here in Blacksburg during the rollout, I was appalled by Bill Lansden’s remarks. I heard, in person, his statement that if you don’t have it in writing (and we’ve checked, you don’t), we will not honor verbal promises. He also said “take it or leave it.” I have taken to calling him TILI Lansden. A lot of people have moved on, until now, because the impact of the premium seating has only just become real. I met with TILI about a week after the town hall, and I too was “handled,” as only a marketer (fund raiser) can do (a lot of platitudes, feigned empathy, and very little substance.
Actually, they kept their promise—your status will not change (as far as WHEN you pick, based on your cumulative giving). However, what is available to be picked is limited based upon your annual giving for the previous year. These premiums control availability for FB tickets, MBB tickets and parking for FB. I have posted (perhaps chronically), about the rollout TILI designed. I have also prognosticated that there are more problems with the design of the program and its implementation that will only become apparent as seat selection begins (MBB seat selection will occur later in the year).
I have said to my Hokie Club rep, that because of this program (and other actions by the AthDept and HC), I am now reduced to the status of “customer” vice fan/supporter. Therefore, I am now requiring “customer service” from both the HC and the VTTO. Administratively, the HC is not even adequate. I would suggest you activate your VicTory account with the HC, and make sure it is accurate. I have the benefit of living in Blacksburg, so I make visits to make sure I’m not ignored. However, the HC/AthDept/VTTO control all aspects of the transactions, so we customers have no leverage. It’s like dealing with an HMO or credit card servicing entity that makes you agree to arbitration with an arbiter of their choosing—a no winner.
I am not quite complete with my pledge, but I will be in the few years. Unlike the AthDept/HC, I keep my promises (yes that’s snarky, but I’ve said that to both TILI and my HC rep). When it’s complete, I’ll have decisions to make, just like you do now. If the premiums don’t adequately fund the Scholarship Fund, they will simply raise the premiums. They keep coming back to the same donors, and placing ever increasing demands/obstacles on them. IMHO, the Drive for 25 program will not replace the old donor base (and that donor base is ageing/dying). The opportunity to grow the HC did not occur in 1999 going forward, because of the lack of leadership and foresight by JW and the previous leadership in the AthDept/HC. Shame on them!!
I have written on this subject voluminously in the past. I can only commiserate with you, and assure you that your diminishing trust is well-founded. What responses you have gotten are all you’ll get. I look forward to hearing from you again. I predict there will be other shortcomings in the design of this program as time passes. You should anticipate posting more ”complaints” as time passes.