Men's Basketball Reseating

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#101      
I am frustrated by the reseating process. My wife and I have been season ticket holders in football and basketball since 2007. We have give in my view, a decent donation to the I fund during this time, $1000 for many years. We have 63,000 priority points, once again, in my view is pretty decent. I am aware of some people with 25,000 priority points, many less years of season tickets, that was allowed to select seats prior to us. How does this happen? I hope someone can enlighten me on what took place here.
Your seat selection time was based on your IFUND membership level and the priority points associated with it. Here is an example that bothers me, but it is correct -- Last April, I decided to buy basketball season tickets for the first time, and I donated $5,000. I am now at the Olympian membership level with 5,000 priority points. I will probably be the lowest member of the Olympian level, but I will have leapfrogged all the people in membership levels below Olympian for my seat selection time. Your IFUND membership level is the most important part of determining your seat selection time.
 
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#102      
Your seat selection time was based on your IFUND membership level and the priority points associated with it. Here is an example that bothers me, but it is correct -- Last April, I decided to buy basketball season tickets for the first time, and I donated $5,000. I am now at the Olympian membership level with 5,000 priority points. I will probably be the lowest member of the Olympian level, but I will have leapfrogged all the people in membership levels below Olympian. Your IFUND membership level is the most important part of determining your seat selection time.
Here is the chart by level with donor number and point leaders. This is on the website but seems dated as it also shows I am 105 out of 158 for Block I and not the 95 listed below. Many people moved up a level for the reseating. According to the chart there are 841 people at Olympian or above ($5K+ donation.

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#103      
Your seat selection time was based on your IFUND membership level and the priority points associated with it. Here is an example that bothers me, but it is correct -- Last April, I decided to buy basketball season tickets for the first time, and I donated $5,000. I am now at the Olympian membership level with 5,000 priority points. I will probably be the lowest member of the Olympian level, but I will have leapfrogged all the people in membership levels below Olympian for my seat selection time. Your IFUND membership level is the most important part of determining your seat selection time.
And that's exactly what's wrong with how they're going about this reseat process. Your total contributions to I fund should determine the pecking order, otherwise you get people with no loyalty to the program leap frogging decades long supporters who's total contributions exceed your sudden 1 year donation.
 
#104      
And that's exactly what's wrong with how they're going about this reseat process. Your total contributions to I fund should determine the pecking order, otherwise you get people with no loyalty to the program leap frogging decades long supporters who's total contributions exceed your sudden 1 year donation.
I'm watching to see how they handle this in advance of the next reseat. One year large donation followed by the minimum to maintain seats. Probably contributes to why the football and basketball reseats are staggered going forward.
 
#105      
And that's exactly what's wrong with how they're going about this reseat process. Your total contributions to I fund should determine the pecking order, otherwise you get people with no loyalty to the program leap frogging decades long supporters who's total contributions exceed your sudden 1 year donation.
In a perfectly fair world, sure that's how it would work. But it's all about money and current donations now. The $1,000 someone gave ten years ago is long since spent and gone, and of little value today. It's harsh I agree but all part of the professionalization of the college game.
 
#106      
I'm watching to see how they handle this in advance of the next reseat. One year large donation followed by the minimum to maintain seats. Probably contributes to why the football and basketball reseats are staggered going forward.
Are we 100% sure this is even offered? Seems we would maximize revenue by making every reseating work exactly as this year, but perhaps the above is happening as a nod back to the fairness angle.
 
#107      
Am wondering how many resale ticket companies contributed to I Fund, bought 10 seats only to resell for profit. The 10 ticket limit is the part that bothers me. Doesn’t even make sense from a business model for Illini if you can make one I Fund donation and get 10 seats. Four would seem to make more sense.
 
#108      
Are we 100% sure this is even offered? Seems we would maximize revenue by making every reseating work exactly as this year, but perhaps the above is happening as a nod back to the fairness angle.
Yes. My ticket rep confirmed that for future years, you just have to give the minimum I Fund donation at that ticket level (plus the cost of the tickets) to maintain your seats for the following 3 years. A lot of people that gave money in year one will just pull back in years 2-4 until the next re-seating. If you care about parking or other I Fund perks (Braggin Rights presales) then you may give more, but if you just care about your seats and park in the large E-14 lot or by the research buildings, then you have no incentive to give more.
 
#109      
I should have done that! I didn’t even think about that. Next time!
 
#110      
Am wondering how many resale ticket companies contributed to I Fund, bought 10 seats only to resell for profit. The 10 ticket limit is the part that bothers me. Doesn’t even make sense from a business model for Illini if you can make one I Fund donation and get 10 seats. Four would seem to make more sense.
Start forming your illinois loyalty reseating groups now. If five of you who each wanted two Olympian seats get together and donate 30% each, you will come out well ahead.
 
#111      
Here is the chart by level with donor number and point leaders. This is on the website but seems dated as it also shows I am 105 out of 158 for Block I and not the 95 listed below. Many people moved up a level for the reseating. According to the chart there are 841 people at Olympian or above ($5K+ donation.

View attachment 42585
What I'd like to see, and what they'd probably never disclose, is the lowest priority point total at each level.
 
#113      
We started basketball season tickets in 1978 and have held them every year since. That's 47 years. We had football for 10 years in the 80-90s and again from 2002 until 2023. We now only have basketball. We joined IFund around 1998, or 99. We have donated $500 or $1000 every year since. I think the bottom line is based on how much cash you have given rather than longevity. A big check will more a fan to the lower level. I can and won't afford to do that.
I am not willing to give anymore than I donate now. We figure we will always be forced to sit in the higher upper level.
Sorry about your frustration!
Thank you for your insight to the situation. We, like you, can afford and will not give more donations to get a lower seat. In my opinion, someone who has stuck with the football and basketball programs, through the bad years, should get some incentive for doing that. Someone who gives a large donation this year just to get a better seat, and then drops their donation in future years should be accounted for in some way. Judging from your post, this is certainly not the case with you. Your longevity and priority points should get you a pretty decent seat. Thank you for your comments.
 
#114      
My selection time is tomorrow morning. We have been long time football and basketball season ticket holders. We increased our I-fund this year and are going to get worse seats. Not a good way at all to treat your loyal fans.
 
#115      
My selection time is tomorrow morning. We have been long time football and basketball season ticket holders. We increased our I-fund this year and are going to get worse seats. Not a good way at all to treat your loyal fans.
I get the angst, but there were always going to be cases like this. My selection is in the afternoon today, and I also increased donations this year. I will likewise have slightly worse seats than I had before. Part of the issue is that both football and basketball were reseated in the same giving year. The staggering of selection years going forward will help a bit, but the changing landscape of college sports necessitated a change. I am a bit disappointed to not have the seats I had the last few years, but I completely get why the DIA is doing this reseating process. There is really no perfect way to satisfy everybody, and all else equal, I think the DIA has done a fairly good job. Moving forward, it would be nice to see priority ranking in real time compared to only once or twice.
 
#116      
By the way, the upper 100 level seats still available show that they have their pricing wrong. I think everyone can see that being the first few rows of the 200 level is better than shelling out extra thousands to be the back of the 100 level……..I’m sure the ticket office can still sell single game tickets there no problem though……maybe they do this on purpose? I changed my mind mid-way through typing this haha.
 
#117      
My selection time is tomorrow morning. We have been long time football and basketball season ticket holders. We increased our I-fund this year and are going to get worse seats. Not a good way at all to treat your loyal fans.
My ticket rep said they reward loyal fans with 1000 priority points each consecutive year that they have season tickets. What bothers me is that they did not increase the priority points awarded each consecutive year, but they did increase the annual dollars required for each IFUND membership level.
 
#119      
So I was completely wrong about the reseating. Previously, I made an I Fund contribution and was able to get two seats. Could not understand a business model that would allow one contribution and get 10 seats. But now an I Fund contribution is required per seat.
The I Fund contribution I made got me in line to pick…and when I picked it charged me for another I Fund payment.
Now I understand how the DIA business model is very profitable. I went up one level in I Fund but actually quadrupled my I Fund contribution…for seats higher up. 😂😂😂
Oh well, it’s really good basketball.
 
#120      
I talked to a guy who has never had season tickets gave a little more to the I fund than I do and will 6-7 rows below me. I understand there is not a perfect way but jeesh
I was told if you did not have season tickets last year you could not be part of the process as they were not allowing first time buyers.
 
#121      
I should have taken notes during basketball season, does anyone remember if they were full bathrooms near the 242-245 sections or smaller ones?
I’ve had the mobile ticket for last few years and never got stationed much there.
Trying to time out those under 8 and under 4 timeouts for beer and bathroom…
 
#122      
I should have taken notes during basketball season, does anyone remember if they were full bathrooms near the 242-245 sections or smaller ones?
I’ve had the mobile ticket for last few years and never got stationed much there.
Trying to time out those under 8 and under 4 timeouts for beer and bathroom…
Men's was about 5 urinals and 3 stalls
 
#123      
I was told if you did not have season tickets last year you could not be part of the process as they were not allowing first time buyers.
I was told the same thing. I increased my Ifund donation for football and asked if that would allow me to be placed in the reseat for basketball. I was told I would have to make an additional iFund donation to qualify for the basketball reseat. But since my increased donation didn't even get me the same seats I've previously had for football I passed.
 
#124      
I should have taken notes during basketball season, does anyone remember if they were full bathrooms near the 242-245 sections or smaller ones?
I’ve had the mobile ticket for last few years and never got stationed much there.
Trying to time out those under 8 and under 4 timeouts for beer and bathroom…
That's funny, I had the mobile pass for the past few years also and I was often seated in 245. (I often wondered how they assigned those seats for the people with mobile passes.) 245 was very convenient as it was right at the door I typically used. Couldn't tell you about the men's restroom, but there is a full ladies just inside the door there.
 
#125      
Just picked my 200-level seats. Ended up 6 rows higher than what my previous seats were, about halfway up the stand. Ugh. Feel bad for people who still need to pick.
 
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