VCU has begun notifying donors and season ticket holders of a new study to investigate pros/cons of re-seating for the 2013-2014 season. The goal is to distribute seat locations based on fairness, loyalty, and donation level. A committee consisting of various members of the Ram Athletic Fund will be created to discuss re-seating options. The results will be announced by September 10th, 2012. But remember, if re-seating is elected, this wouldn’t take place until 2013-2014.
Below is the notification sent to RAF members, and click here to view the forum thread discussion.
There has never been a more exciting time for VCU Athletics and this great university. Our programs have enjoyed an exceptional run of success recently, especially men’s basketball, which reached the 2011 Final Four and is led by one of the brightest rising stars in the coaching profession, Shaka Smart. Additionally, the move to the Atlantic 10 Conference has positioned VCU to continue its momentum. We expect increased national visibility, as well as excellent opportunities for all of our student-athletes to excel academically, compete for conference championships and secure NCAA berths.
The support you and others have provided through the Ram Athletic Fund has been a driving force in that success. As you are aware, the challenges ahead in the Atlantic 10, as well as the competition from our peer institutions, grow every day. Scholarship costs rise annually, and in order to recruit and retain the best student-athletes and coaches, we must continue to invest in our infrastructure.
Since the Verizon Wireless Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center opened in 1999, there has been little attempt to maximize resources from men’s basketball priority seating, such as awarding generous supporters who have upgraded their giving level or new donors who have joined the Ram Nation. We have made some changes, such as adding courtside seats and extending priority seating to new sections, but the original priority areas and donor priority seat limits have remained constant.
With that in mind, VCU Athletics will conduct a comprehensive study over the next two months for the possible re-seating of the Verizon Wireless Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center for the 2013-14 Men’s Basketball season. The committee will include the following individuals:
- VCU Athletics Executive Board members
- Ram Athletic Fund Board members
- Ram Athletic Fund current donors who were part of the planning committee for the Capital Campaign for the Siegel Center
- A cross-section of current Ram Athletic Fund members
- Ram Athletic Fund members who are VCU faculty/staff
The committee will review our current priority seating plan and priority seat limits. It will evaluate the pros and cons of any potential changes. In addition, the group will be presented information from member institutions and programs around the country that have implemented re-seating policies. Finally, the committee will determine if reseating would be in the best interest for our overall athletic department.
We acknowledge that if implemented, the new plan would represent a significant change for many Ram fans. Any re-seating will be sensitive to three areas of concern:
- Exhibit fairness
- Reward loyalty- Capital Campaign members for the Stuart C. Siegel Center
- Recognize the impact of donations
After an extensive review with the committee, VCU Athletics will inform you of any re-seating plan by September 10, 2012. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Ram Athletic Fund. Thank you for supporting VCU Athletics.
Go Rams!
Sincerely,
Andrew Hartley Vic Cegles
