Parking Lots

[julescat]

I have no problem with the system and what they have decided to value in establishing their priority for selling the parking passes (they could have placed more value on other things besides annual giving and lifetime giving if they wanted to). I'm not buying them this year because I didn't think $600 plus $210 each for a total of $1020 for my usual two passes was worth it. I couldn't care less about how the other schools do it. Most of those places have very little in the way of competition for the entertainment $$. I am done with tailgating in the west lot after decades. Will probably downsize from my 10 season tickets next year. Looking forward to consuming NU football (sometimes) in a whole different way. Liberating.

 

[KramerCat91]

The real issue is that with the construction taking place there are fewer spots than there were. All those people complained and wanted the lot redone (I really had no problem with it) got their wish but many of them now find out they can no longer park there. Probably similar numbers donating at levels as before but now fewer spaces,

I suspect that the real issue is our 10-3 record has caused fair weather fans to purchase season tickets and contribute $600 for parking.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

I suspect that the real issue is our 10-3 record has caused fair weather fans to purchase season tickets and contribute $600 for parking.

Nebraska (and, to a lesser extent, Wisconsin) being on the schedule might also have something to do with it.

 

[willycat]

The real issue is that with the construction taking place there are fewer spots than there were. All those people complained and wanted the lot redone (I really had no problem with it) got their wish but many of them now find out they can no longer park there. Probably similar numbers donating at levels as before but now fewer spaces,

Has there been any confirmation that there will be less spots available after the fixing of the west lot? If so then an already small and not very vibrant tailgating action at NU becomes more irrelevant.

 

[Cat Fan in Buckeye Land]

Really weird. I don't donate a cent to the school and an a first year STH and got a west lot parking pass. Just told the super I'm an Andrea Doria survivor and slipped him $50

Costanza would probably be fast tracked to the West lot...and likely would have gotten privileges for being fake handicapped.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

Has there been any confirmation that there will be less spots available after the fixing of the west lot? If so then an already small and not very vibrant tailgating action at NU becomes more irrelevant.

That's the spirit!

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Embarrassed for all of you that you didn't get the reference to one of the great scenes in Seinfeld history

Just humiliating!

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Nebraska (and, to a lesser extent, Wisconsin) being on the schedule might also have something to do with it.

Huh? So let me get this straight, long time ST holders are getting booted out of the west lot because we have NEW ST holders from Nebby and Whisky that not only buy a season worth of NU Tix , but also pony up at least $600 for a donation? Could it be a current ST that donates the year of the high demand tickets so they can scalp the two prime games? Is it long term ST holders so jacked up by two games they decide to donate at a higher level? What are you saying?

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

Huh? So let me get this straight, long time ST holders are getting booted out of the west lot because we have NEW ST holders from Nebby and Whisky that not only buy a season worth of NU Tix , but also pony up at least $600 for a donation? Could it be a current ST that donates the year of the high demand tickets so they can scalp the two prime games? Is it long term ST holders so jacked up by two games they decide to donate at a higher level? What are you saying?

I wouldn't be surprised in the least if Husker fans did exactly that.

PS -- why does it feel like you're yelling at me?

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

I wouldn't be surprised in the least if Husker fans did exactly that.

PS -- why does it feel like you're yelling at me?

Lol, don't know why.

Just sick of half empty west lot or filled with opposition teams while some of us that support the team every week, and give what we can are pushed to less desirable locations.

 

[Bwm57]

Did anyone ever answer if the remodel of the lot results in less spaces or not?

 

[Eurocat]

You guys beat me to it about the less spaces.

I remember reading something in the weekend WSJ last year about how repaving and redrawing of a parking lot can reduce the parking in it by something like 15-20 percent because nowadays people drive bigger cars (and SUV's) and the spaces are drawn to reflect that (and to give wider driving areas, also causing a few spots to be eliminated).

Just adding 12 inches to a space reduces the capacity a lot.

If a space was 8 feet wide before and now is 9 feet - there goes 15 percent.

But I am no expert in this area, just forwarding what I read.

 

[FEW]

Right... that's what the system is, which has been clearly communicated on a number of occasions.

Ok, so let me see. You compare our parking, and by extension our program, to the like of Nebraska, Penn State and Wisconsin. I would venture the observation of a rank amateur that those programs have wait lists for tickets. Last time I looked, we had plenty of good seats available.

So I fail to see the value of pursuing an arm twisting strategy to raise funds over parking when you have substantially less than full demand for tickets. You may say that we have an army of development people that Morty has planted in the Athletic Department, and that they are pros and know what they are doing. And this may all be true.

What you are not acknowledging, and probably don't want to contemplate, is that long term season ticket holders, offended by the sudden application of a system "clearly communicated on a number of occasions" but not applied for two years, are going to bolt.

WaveJumper is a poignant case in point. Ara tried to recruit him after watching him play intramural ball. (To put this into perspective for the highly pampered recruits of the modern era, Pappy Waldorf recruited Otto Graham the same way. Of course, I'm taking the leap of faith that you, gocatsgo2003, can recognize the names Ara, Pappy and Otto in the pantheon of a long forgotten era of greatness of Northwestern football.) Wave Jumper and I have clear memories of the triumph of the era of Ara, and the halcyon days of 1962 when the Wildcats were legitimately ranked number 1 in the nation following wins over Ohio State and Notre Dame. And the heartbreak in December of 1963 when Ara bolted for Notre Dame and history.

We were there for the Agase years and the darkness that followed: the Dark Ages of Northwestern football, when few cared and no one in their right minds got near the program, a laughingstock that provided fodder to the likes of Garry Marshall. John Pont. Rick Venturi. Dennis Green. Francis Peay. Gary Barnett (through 1994). When the Wildcats won an improbable Big Ten title in 1995, there were 5,000 seats sold to season ticket holders. WaveJumper and I were among them.

So we've enjoyed a few highs along the way since then. And many lows. Many, many lows. The last title was in 2000. There was one bowl win in the interim, and many the bowl losses, many blowouts. And yet we stayed with it.

Something has been lost this week. We're going to chuck it in. Not because of poor performance - Lord knows we've stuck it out through that, especially in the 2001-03 era. No, its because we are being discarded like yesterday's trash. I remember when I used to get letters assuring me of how much NU wanted to enhance my experience as a season ticket holder. (I told them all I wanted was to see the team win. I got passes for pizzas in response. And had to watch more pathetic losses.)

The fact that a policy driven by development people is articulated does not diminish its arrogance. We've been told we are not wanted. We've been told that our long history as donors, and more importantly as fans who stood by the school in its darkest hours, is expendable.

So we accept the message.

And we will be gone.

So I hope that you stick around longer than we will be able to. I hope that fifty years from now, when you start to count the possible remaining seasons in your lifetime and hope against hope to see another title as opposed to another batch of excuses, your service to the program is still recognized and that you still have a pass in the West lot, regardless of the destination of your substantial contributions to NU.

You will have done far better than us.

 

[Eurocat]

Good post FEW.

I think we have a problem on this board, we have fans like me from afar (or not so far but who only can make a game or two a year, maybe they can only afford that, or maybe they coach the kids soccer on falls Saturdays).

And fans like you and WaveJumper who have been with the purple thick and thin (I would be with you if I didn't live 10 time zones away and didn't work in an industry that is losing market share and popularity left and right, but that is for another day and time).

Point being, can someone explain to me how this all works?

Can Nebraska fans just buy season parking passes?

How?

Isn't that based on seasons you have had tickets?

Can a Cornhusker literally pay, say, 3000 dollars and "beat" a veteran like FEW and Wavejumper?

Is there some other explanation.

Simply put, if people like FEW and Wave are bumped - who ARE these new people?

I posted about losing spots up top, and that has to be considered (for all I know some pesky governmental regulation now says spots have to be wider than before, but our old ones were grandfathered - maybe that is why they did not renovate?)

I am just wondering about the causes here. What the heck is going on?

 

[FEW]

Good post FEW.

I think we have a problem on this board, we have fans like me from afar (or not so far but who only can make a game or two a year, maybe they can only afford that, or maybe they coach the kids soccer on falls Saturdays).

And fans like you and WaveJumper who have been with the purple thick and thin (I would be with you if I didn't live 10 time zones away and didn't work in an industry that is losing market share and popularity left and right, but that is for another day and time).

Point being, can someone explain to me how this all works?

Can Nebraska fans just buy season parking passes?

How?

Isn't that based on seasons you have had tickets?

Can a Cornhusker literally pay, say, 3000 dollars and "beat" a veteran like FEW and Wavejumper?

Is there some other explanation.

Simply put, if people like FEW and Wave are bumped - who ARE these new people?

I posted about losing spots up top, and that has to be considered (for all I know some pesky governmental regulation now says spots have to be wider than before, but our old ones were grandfathered - maybe that is why they did not renovate?)

I am just wondering about the causes here. What the heck is going on?

The answer to your question is very simple.

The development people have updated the university's motto, previously "Whatsoever things are true.." to "Whatsoever things are now..."

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Ok, so let me see. You compare our parking, and by extension our program, to the like of Nebraska, Penn State and Wisconsin. I would venture the observation of a rank amateur that those programs have wait lists for tickets. Last time I looked, we had plenty of good seats available.

So I fail to see the value of pursuing an arm twisting strategy to raise funds over parking when you have substantially less than full demand for tickets. You may say that we have an army of development people that Morty has planted in the Athletic Department, and that they are pros and know what they are doing. And this may all be true.

What you are not acknowledging, and probably don't want to contemplate, is that long term season ticket holders, offended by the sudden application of a system "clearly communicated on a number of occasions" but not applied for two years, are going to bolt.

WaveJumper is a poignant case in point. Ara tried to recruit him after watching him play intramural ball. (To put this into perspective for the highly pampered recruits of the modern era, Pappy Waldorf recruited Otto Graham the same way. Of course, I'm taking the leap of faith that you, gocatsgo2003, can recognize the names Ara, Pappy and Otto in the pantheon of a long forgotten era of greatness of Northwestern football.) Wave Jumper and I have clear memories of the triumph of the era of Ara, and the halcyon days of 1962 when the Wildcats were legitimately ranked number 1 in the nation following wins over Ohio State and Notre Dame. And the heartbreak in December of 1963 when Ara bolted for Notre Dame and history.

We were there for the Agase years and the darkness that followed: the Dark Ages of Northwestern football, when few cared and no one in their right minds got near the program, a laughingstock that provided fodder to the likes of Garry Marshall. John Pont. Rick Venturi. Dennis Green. Francis Peay. Gary Barnett (through 1994). When the Wildcats won an improbable Big Ten title in 1995, there were 5,000 seats sold to season ticket holders. WaveJumper and I were among them.

So we've enjoyed a few highs along the way since then. And many lows. Many, many lows. The last title was in 2000. There was one bowl win in the interim, and many the bowl losses, many blowouts. And yet we stayed with it.

Something has been lost this week. We're going to chuck it in. Not because of poor performance - Lord knows we've stuck it out through that, especially in the 2001-03 era. No, its because we are being discarded like yesterday's trash. I remember when I used to get letters assuring me of how much NU wanted to enhance my experience as a season ticket holder. (I told them all I wanted was to see the team win. I got passes for pizzas in response. And had to watch more pathetic losses.)

The fact that a policy driven by development people is articulated does not diminish its arrogance. We've been told we are not wanted. We've been told that our long history as donors, and more importantly as fans who stood by the school in its darkest hours, is expendable.

So we accept the message.

And we will be gone.

So I hope that you stick around longer than we will be able to. I hope that fifty years from now, when you start to count the possible remaining seasons in your lifetime and hope against hope to see another title as opposed to another batch of excuses, your service to the program is still recognized and that you still have a pass in the West lot, regardless of the destination of your substantial contributions to NU.

You will have done far better than us.

Anyone that has held Season Tickers for 50+ years should NEVER get bumped. That is a lot of suffering and support of very bad football.

 

[NJCat]

Anyone that has held Season Tickers for 50+ years should NEVER get bumped. That is a lot of suffering and support of very bad football.

Amen. Anyone who had tickets through the dark ages should get free parking for life.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

Ok, so let me see. You compare our parking, and by extension our program, to the like of Nebraska, Penn State and Wisconsin. I would venture the observation of a rank amateur that those programs have wait lists for tickets. Last time I looked, we had plenty of good seats available.

So I fail to see the value of pursuing an arm twisting strategy to raise funds over parking when you have substantially less than full demand for tickets. You may say that we have an army of development people that Morty has planted in the Athletic Department, and that they are pros and know what they are doing. And this may all be true.

What you are not acknowledging, and probably don't want to contemplate, is that long term season ticket holders, offended by the sudden application of a system "clearly communicated on a number of occasions" but not applied for two years, are going to bolt.

WaveJumper is a poignant case in point. Ara tried to recruit him after watching him play intramural ball. (To put this into perspective for the highly pampered recruits of the modern era, Pappy Waldorf recruited Otto Graham the same way. Of course, I'm taking the leap of faith that you, gocatsgo2003, can recognize the names Ara, Pappy and Otto in the pantheon of a long forgotten era of greatness of Northwestern football.) Wave Jumper and I have clear memories of the triumph of the era of Ara, and the halcyon days of 1962 when the Wildcats were legitimately ranked number 1 in the nation following wins over Ohio State and Notre Dame. And the heartbreak in December of 1963 when Ara bolted for Notre Dame and history.

We were there for the Agase years and the darkness that followed: the Dark Ages of Northwestern football, when few cared and no one in their right minds got near the program, a laughingstock that provided fodder to the likes of Garry Marshall. John Pont. Rick Venturi. Dennis Green. Francis Peay. Gary Barnett (through 1994). When the Wildcats won an improbable Big Ten title in 1995, there were 5,000 seats sold to season ticket holders. WaveJumper and I were among them.

So we've enjoyed a few highs along the way since then. And many lows. Many, many lows. The last title was in 2000. There was one bowl win in the interim, and many the bowl losses, many blowouts. And yet we stayed with it.

Something has been lost this week. We're going to chuck it in. Not because of poor performance - Lord knows we've stuck it out through that, especially in the 2001-03 era. No, its because we are being discarded like yesterday's trash. I remember when I used to get letters assuring me of how much NU wanted to enhance my experience as a season ticket holder. (I told them all I wanted was to see the team win. I got passes for pizzas in response. And had to watch more pathetic losses.)

The fact that a policy driven by development people is articulated does not diminish its arrogance. We've been told we are not wanted. We've been told that our long history as donors, and more importantly as fans who stood by the school in its darkest hours, is expendable.

So we accept the message.

And we will be gone.

So I hope that you stick around longer than we will be able to. I hope that fifty years from now, when you start to count the possible remaining seasons in your lifetime and hope against hope to see another title as opposed to another batch of excuses, your service to the program is still recognized and that you still have a pass in the West lot, regardless of the destination of your substantial contributions to NU.

You will have done far better than us.

Well that was a whole lot of righteous indignation.

My point is that NU has taken steps to operate like a modern college football program in recent years (yes, like Nebraska, Wisconsin, or Penn State). The diehard fans on these boards always want to see NU competing with these "name" programs on the field, but seemingly also retain all the "charm" that comes with being a less competitive program.

Unfortunately, mandatory donations and similar initiatives are part of NU football acquiring the resources to remain competitive in the modern B1G. It's unrealistic and unfair to expect Fitz and the rest of the program to compete for titles with a growing resource gap when NU already has plenty of structural limitations in place (admissions, etc.).

Sharing the minimum donations for other programs on our same B1G tier was to provide context for the $600 donation for NU, not belittle those for whom that's too much of an "ask." The system is what it is and was applied in past years; the difference is that there were apparently more $600 donations this year.

So, yes, it does suck if longtime STHs get booted from their preferred parking location. However, these kind of things will happen as NU transitions to operating more like a modern BCS/P5 program.

PS -- I may only be 30 years old, but I've been an NU fan for all 30 of those years. Missed all of four home games in my life before my own high school games took over some Saturday's, and even then was checking NU scores on my phone during halftime during both high school and college games. So yes, I can recognize the names Otto Graham, Ara Parseghian, etc.

 

[Gocatsgo2003]

Good post FEW.

I think we have a problem on this board, we have fans like me from afar (or not so far but who only can make a game or two a year, maybe they can only afford that, or maybe they coach the kids soccer on falls Saturdays).

And fans like you and WaveJumper who have been with the purple thick and thin (I would be with you if I didn't live 10 time zones away and didn't work in an industry that is losing market share and popularity left and right, but that is for another day and time).

Point being, can someone explain to me how this all works?

Can Nebraska fans just buy season parking passes?

How?

Isn't that based on seasons you have had tickets?

Can a Cornhusker literally pay, say, 3000 dollars and "beat" a veteran like FEW and Wavejumper?

Is there some other explanation.

Simply put, if people like FEW and Wave are bumped - who ARE these new people?

I posted about losing spots up top, and that has to be considered (for all I know some pesky governmental regulation now says spots have to be wider than before, but our old ones were grandfathered - maybe that is why they did not renovate?)

I am just wondering about the causes here. What the heck is going on?

As I understand it, the system is basically this: parking passes are allotted by preference first to STHs who have donated $600 or more by "purple points," which are acquired by consecutive years of giving, consecutive years being a STH, donor levels, etc. These could be west lot, east lot, golf course, or wherever said STH prefers. After that round, passes are allotted to all STHs regardless of donation based on "purple points."

An opposing fan could conceivably purchase STHs then bump their way into the first round of allotment by making a $600 donation. That's the risk NU takes in setting the minimum donation for prime parking so much lower than peer programs.

 

[its_the_sauce]

As I understand it, the system is basically this: parking passes are allotted by preference first to STHs who have donated $600 or more by "purple points," which are acquired by consecutive years of giving, consecutive years being a STH, donor levels, etc. These could be west lot, east lot, golf course, or wherever said STH prefers. After that round, passes are allotted to all STHs regardless of donation based on "purple points."

An opposing fan could conceivably purchase STHs then bump their way into the first round of allotment by making a $600 donation. That's the risk NU takes in setting the minimum donation for prime parking so much lower than peer programs.

Of course if they set the minimum donation level higher, that many more people would complain. I find it hilarious (yet somewhat sad) that people getting booted have brought up their "tens of thousands" in previous donations yet for some reason they don't want to kick in $600 for a parking pass??? One big advantage of the tier system is that it gives young alumni the opportunity to get parking passes that they might not have been able to get under the old system (which put much more reward into length of STs). Seems like good marketing to me by trying to attract the younger fan base (and I'm speaking as a 54 year old)

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Of course if they set the minimum donation level higher, that many more people would complain. I find it hilarious (yet somewhat sad) that people getting booted have brought up their "tens of thousands" in previous donations yet for some reason they don't want to kick in $600 for a parking pass??? One big advantage of the tier system is that it gives young alumni the opportunity to get parking passes that they might not have been able to get under the old system (which put much more reward into length of STs). Seems like good marketing to me by trying to attract the younger fan base (and I'm speaking as a 54 year old)

Your key word is ALUMNI. Sure it is great that you don't need to be a fossil to get a prime spot, but there can also be some negatives. I go to every game and I am not an alumni. NU so far has NOT been able to consistently fill the stadium with Alumni. The relative small student population along with the geographic diversity of students makes that a tall task. To supplement this and potentially fill the stands they need more die hard fans like me that reside locally. It can be more challenging to get larger donations from fans who don't have that intimate connection to NU. As we know, many NU alums are in the midst of very successful careers and are financially flush. I have met many who buy tickets and I suspect meet minimum donation levels to qualify for preferred parking that go to 1-2 games a year. Hence, the 50-75% occupancy rate of the West lot for many games.

My suggestion is NU create a ticket/parking exchange for season ticket holders. Many of these wealthy doners eat their tickets/parking most weeks. How about those tix and especially parking get offered up at cost to current season ticket holders based on longevity of holding the tix. This allows the the doner not using the tix/parking to recoup some costs ( or donate to the NU fund) and allows long time ST holders like FEW and Wave to occasionally grab a prime spot.

 

[villox]

As of a few years ago, it was possible to get into the west lot with a minimum $1500 donation, regardless of whether you had any points whatsoever. That's what I chose to do, in order to "jump the queue". Guess what? That too bumped some people out of the west or east lots, because the number of points was increasing faster than the extra 3 points you got for being a season ticket holder for another year.

Now, that number has been lowered to $600, which doesn't necessarily guarantee you anything, but sounds like it pretty much does because long time season ticket holders were unwilling to do the same. So you have a lower minimum donation to guarantee your spot, and thus a lot more people taking advantage of it.

It's a delicate balance, and I'm very sorry that people are taking the lack of parking close to the stadium so personally even though they aren't willing to help fund the team for future growth, but there are many other ways to get to the stadium. Like the other 20-30 people who attend my tailgate but don't have parking passes do.

 

[Bwm57]

Just curious, without starting some kind of fight, is there a reason why West lot is considered superior to the East lot?
Is there some physical reason or is the West lot just considered the "place to be"?

 

[hdhntr1]

Good post FEW.

I think we have a problem on this board, we have fans like me from afar (or not so far but who only can make a game or two a year, maybe they can only afford that, or maybe they coach the kids soccer on falls Saturdays).

And fans like you and WaveJumper who have been with the purple thick and thin (I would be with you if I didn't live 10 time zones away and didn't work in an industry that is losing market share and popularity left and right, but that is for another day and time).

Point being, can someone explain to me how this all works?

Can Nebraska fans just buy season parking passes?

How?

Isn't that based on seasons you have had tickets?

Can a Cornhusker literally pay, say, 3000 dollars and "beat" a veteran like FEW and Wavejumper?

Is there some other explanation.

Simply put, if people like FEW and Wave are bumped - who ARE these new people?

I posted about losing spots up top, and that has to be considered (for all I know some pesky governmental regulation now says spots have to be wider than before, but our old ones were grandfathered - maybe that is why they did not renovate?)

I am just wondering about the causes here. What the heck is going on?

I think that the answer would be yes because they are using tiered giving as the number one criteria. They don't even get to priority points till they go through the tiers. Not what have you done for me (ST holder 20 plus year giving etc) over time but what have you done for me lately. So give enough this year ($600) and you go ahead of all the priority points. They tried to do it for the last couple years but it was ineffective because there were more spaces than tiered givers but with a reduced number of spaces and as you say, a higher profile game or two where the visiting fans are willing to pony up and you no longer have a surplus of spaces.

 

[hdhntr1]

Just curious, without starting some kind of fight, is there a reason why West lot is considered superior to the East lot?
Is there some physical reason or is the West lot just considered the "place to be"?

I think the West lot takes less points than the East lot. It is also bigger. Just that it is the lot most likely to be bumped from.

 

[hdhntr1]

Ok, so let me see. You compare our parking, and by extension our program, to the like of Nebraska, Penn State and Wisconsin. I would venture the observation of a rank amateur that those programs have wait lists for tickets. Last time I looked, we had plenty of good seats available.

So I fail to see the value of pursuing an arm twisting strategy to raise funds over parking when you have substantially less than full demand for tickets. You may say that we have an army of development people that Morty has planted in the Athletic Department, and that they are pros and know what they are doing. And this may all be true.

What you are not acknowledging, and probably don't want to contemplate, is that long term season ticket holders, offended by the sudden application of a system "clearly communicated on a number of occasions" but not applied for two years, are going to bolt.

WaveJumper is a poignant case in point. Ara tried to recruit him after watching him play intramural ball. (To put this into perspective for the highly pampered recruits of the modern era, Pappy Waldorf recruited Otto Graham the same way. Of course, I'm taking the leap of faith that you, gocatsgo2003, can recognize the names Ara, Pappy and Otto in the pantheon of a long forgotten era of greatness of Northwestern football.) Wave Jumper and I have clear memories of the triumph of the era of Ara, and the halcyon days of 1962 when the Wildcats were legitimately ranked number 1 in the nation following wins over Ohio State and Notre Dame. And the heartbreak in December of 1963 when Ara bolted for Notre Dame and history.

We were there for the Agase years and the darkness that followed: the Dark Ages of Northwestern football, when few cared and no one in their right minds got near the program, a laughingstock that provided fodder to the likes of Garry Marshall. John Pont. Rick Venturi. Dennis Green. Francis Peay. Gary Barnett (through 1994). When the Wildcats won an improbable Big Ten title in 1995, there were 5,000 seats sold to season ticket holders. WaveJumper and I were among them.

So we've enjoyed a few highs along the way since then. And many lows. Many, many lows. The last title was in 2000. There was one bowl win in the interim, and many the bowl losses, many blowouts. And yet we stayed with it.

Something has been lost this week. We're going to chuck it in. Not because of poor performance - Lord knows we've stuck it out through that, especially in the 2001-03 era. No, its because we are being discarded like yesterday's trash. I remember when I used to get letters assuring me of how much NU wanted to enhance my experience as a season ticket holder. (I told them all I wanted was to see the team win. I got passes for pizzas in response. And had to watch more pathetic losses.)

The fact that a policy driven by development people is articulated does not diminish its arrogance. We've been told we are not wanted. We've been told that our long history as donors, and more importantly as fans who stood by the school in its darkest hours, is expendable.

So we accept the message.

And we will be gone.

So I hope that you stick around longer than we will be able to. I hope that fifty years from now, when you start to count the possible remaining seasons in your lifetime and hope against hope to see another title as opposed to another batch of excuses, your service to the program is still recognized and that you still have a pass in the West lot, regardless of the destination of your substantial contributions to NU.

You will have done far better than us.

The reason that they do is for the same reason that a dog licks itself. Because they can. Why parking? Because there is a surplus of tickets but a limited number of parking spaces. Fact is that in prior years it did not work because they had a surplus of spaces. This year because of a reduction in spaces and other factors, they got away with it. But think of the number of people pissed off to get that extra $100k or so (200 times $500 extra donation). And the ones most affected are the people who have supported the program through thick or thin and have earned spots and have been replaced by a johnny come lately fan that could be gone tomorrow. All to get a few extra bucks today. You could start to see the push a few years ago when the started devaluing length of time by keeping continuous years of ST at 3 points while substantially increasing the value of donations. Continued with increased value of current year giving. But the tiered system is the worst as it basically superceeds (sp) everything totally devaluing the long time fan with the newby who might (and in the case of someone with another school probably will be) be gone tomorrow. So you piss off the long term supporter for the guy that is gone that is gone tomorrow. A typical example of accountants getting control of something that they should not Very short sighted and a very dangerous game

 

[Gladeskat]

Just curious, without starting some kind of fight, is there a reason why West lot is considered superior to the East lot?
Is there some physical reason or is the West lot just considered the "place to be"?

It's where the cool people hang out. Mainly it's because it's larger and is the location of some good tailgates like the players' families tailgate and several Rivals board members' tailgates. Also "Walk with us" starts across the street on Walker Way.

"I wish that I could be like the cool kids."

 

[Kiteboarder]

Just a little further perspective on this subject. I'm wondering what value priority points carry?

Obviously a current $600 parking donation trumps priority points. Ya, ya, I know, we've been told this for three years now, and I also know that they're used as tie breakers

So it's obvious that the athletic department values current cash over cumulative cash of the past. It's certainly their right to do that, but it's also my right not to like it, and not to accept it. OK?

Priority points are based on several factors like total dollars donated, consecutive years of giving, consecutive years as a season ticket holder, NU letterman, NU alum, etc. When you examine these criteria, priority points are based on LONG TERM LOYALTY to the NU athletic department. Some of us even have bricks with our names on them at Ryan Field. They, of course, were paid for by additional donations.

So what are priority points worth? Do they keep me in section 129 on the 45 yard line? I suppose they do. But if you say they help me get better seats at bowl games, I would say you are naive because one endzone, or near to endzone seat is pretty much like all others.

Kinda looks to me that priority points may be close to worthless. Ya, I know, priority points can be a tie breaker on parking, but only after the parking donation. OK, I get it, and for some, that may be ok. But it is NOT ok for me. It basically says that my past commitment, loyalty, and dollar support are not valued. I can give you many other examples of why I feel that way that have nothing to do with the parking lot selection process, but it would take up too much bandwidth on this message board.

I guess the matter comes down to, if you don't care about me, then . . .

 

[YesterdaysCat]

Just a little further perspective on this subject. I'm wondering what value priority points carry?

Obviously a current $600 parking donation trumps priority points. Ya, ya, I know, we've been told this for three years now, and I also know that they're used as tie breakers

So it's obvious that the athletic department values current cash over cumulative cash of the past. It's certainly their right to do that, but it's also my right not to like it, and not to accept it. OK?

Priority points are based on several factors like total dollars donated, consecutive years of giving, consecutive years as a season ticket holder, NU letterman, NU alum, etc. When you examine these criteria, priority points are based on LONG TERM LOYALTY to the NU athletic department. Some of us even have bricks with our names on them at Ryan Field. They, of course, were paid for by additional donations.

So what are priority points worth? Do they keep me in section 129 on the 45 yard line? I suppose they do. But if you say they help me get better seats at bowl games, I would say you are naive because one endzone, or near to endzone seat is pretty much like all others.

Kinda looks to me that priority points may be close to worthless. Ya, I know, priority points can be a tie breaker on parking, but only after the parking donation. OK, I get it, and for some, that may be ok. But it is NOT ok for me. It basically says that my past commitment, loyalty, and dollar support are not valued. I can give you many other examples of why I feel that way that have nothing to do with the parking lot selection process, but it would take up too much bandwidth on this message board.

I guess the matter comes down to, if you don't care about me, then . . .

I know what you're saying, but a great seat is worth more than a good parking space to many people. Some people prioritize the games and other people put a premium on the tailgating and parking spot. A lot of people want both. Northwestern seems to be saying that your points are still worth the seat location but not the parking.

It always stinks when a privilege is given to us and then taken away. I would suggest writing to Dr. Jim, but the truth is, he will just respond with some PC ******** and empty words. He's really thinking, "Tough ****. You were around during the bad years? That must have sucked. Well, I'm off to dinner with Pat and Shirley. Bye!"

 

[KramerCat91]

Just a little further perspective on this subject. I'm wondering what value priority points carry?

...

Kinda looks to me that priority points may be close to worthless. Ya, I know, priority points can be a tie breaker on parking, but only after the parking donation. OK, I get it, and for some, that may be ok. But it is NOT ok for me. It basically says that my past commitment, loyalty, and dollar support are not valued. I can give you many other examples of why I feel that way that have nothing to do with the parking lot selection process, but it would take up too much bandwidth on this message board.

The purpose of priority points is so that long-term loyal fans who pay $600 don't get bumped by new fans who pay $600.

 

[YesterdaysCat]

I have no problem with the system and what they have decided to value in establishing their priority for selling the parking passes (they could have placed more value on other things besides annual giving and lifetime giving if they wanted to). I'm not buying them this year because I didn't think $600 plus $210 each for a total of $1020 for my usual two passes was worth it. I couldn't care less about how the other schools do it. Most of those places have very little in the way of competition for the entertainment $$. I am done with tailgating in the west lot after decades. Will probably downsize from my 10 season tickets next year. Looking forward to consuming NU football (sometimes) in a whole different way. Liberating.

Ever since Dr. Jim AKA Mr. Big Splash arrived, he has wanted to make NU athletics "big time." He has extracted a lot of money from wealthy NU alumni and friends. We have yet to reach the top of the mountain in football or basketball since he arrived.

If we had won a Big Ten title in football or reached the NCAAs in basketball, we might be asking ourselves, "Yeah but at what price?"

Since we have won jackshit, we are asking, "What the hell?"

If you really want to have a heart attack, imagine if NU did win a conference title or go to the NCAAs! The threshold to take a **** in the Port-a-pot might be $600. You want a clean square of toilet paper? That will cost you another $600.

 

[FEW]

I know what you're saying, but a great seat is worth more than a good parking space to many people. Some people prioritize the games and other people put a premium on the tailgating and parking spot. A lot of people want both. Northwestern seems to be saying that your points are still worth the seat location but not the parking.

It always stinks when a privilege is given to us and then taken away. I would suggest writing to Dr. Jim, but the truth is, he will just respond with some PC ******** and empty words. He's really thinking, "Tough ****. You were around during the bad years? That must have sucked. Well, I'm off to dinner with Pat and Shirley. Bye!"

Given the consistent ability of this program to disappoint, frequently in a gut-wrenching manner, I think many fans have a great consideration of the tailgate experience. It often serves a therapeutic function and the social ties of the tailgate group help maintain the bonds with the program. This is being irrevocably disrupted. For many, this will be "game over."

Missing from the discussion is the impact of lost ticket sales. We have three long term STHs in this thread who are either dialing back their quantity or about to endure their final season.

And for some, it will mean vacating their spots on the donor's roll.

Well played. Those $600 donations from Big Red fans look huge, don't they?

 

[willycat]

The purpose of priority points is so that long-term loyal fans who pay $600 don't get bumped by new fans who pay $600.

Wondering if any board people who were exiled from the west lot got spots in one of the golf course lots? If so were spots rewarded because of giving more money or were priority points considered? The reason I'm wondering is because I wasn't offered a golf course lot space after being told that I was no longer eligible for the west lot.

 

[julescat]

Wondering if any board people who were exiled from the west lot got spots in one of the golf course lots? If so were spots rewarded because of giving more money or were priority points considered? The reason I'm wondering is because I wasn't offered a golf course lot space after being told that I was no longer eligible for the west lot.

My instructions regarding parking were that if I wasn't part of the west lot allocation I wanted a refund. C'est la vie.

 

[hdhntr1]

I know what you're saying, but a great seat is worth more than a good parking space to many people. Some people prioritize the games and other people put a premium on the tailgating and parking spot. A lot of people want both. Northwestern seems to be saying that your points are still worth the seat location but not the parking.

It always stinks when a privilege is given to us and then taken away. I would suggest writing to Dr. Jim, but the truth is, he will just respond with some PC ******** and empty words. He's really thinking, "Tough ****. You were around during the bad years? That must have sucked. Well, I'm off to dinner with Pat and Shirley. Bye!"

The points have nothing to do with the seat selection. Donations count nothing towards that. Only length of time as a ST holder based on continuous years as a ST holder nothing else. You get in a location and you stay there unless you try to move and that ability is based on years as a ST holder. That is also the way it used to be with parking but it was changed after 1996 to a priority system. It took 10-15 years to get back into the lots and then to have the system changed to just what have you done for me today superceeding everything that has been done before.... It wasn't just a privilege, it was an earned one that was paid for with a lot of years in undesirable parking locations. We paid our dues and then they say so what. This guy we have never heard of gave us $600 this year. Nothing before, no history no earned anything. And it is not like the people being displaced did not donate through the years. That is what people are objecting do

 

[hdhntr1]

Wondering if any board people who were exiled from the west lot got spots in one of the golf course lots? If so were spots rewarded because of giving more money or were priority points considered? The reason I'm wondering is because I wasn't offered a golf course lot space after being told that I was no longer eligible for the west lot.

I think only if they specified it otherwise back to the end of the line. You can have the parking garage. So behind people we have a lot more points than.

 

[its_the_sauce]

Can we stop it with the Nebraska fans donating $600 to secure parking? Could they do it sure, but I seriously doubt they are because they would be incredibly stupid for doing so. No matter the game I have never see an east or west lot pass on Craigslist (whether seller offering or buyer asking) for more than $125. As far as the importance of priority points I'll find out shortly as I just requested an upgrade to my basketball STs.

 

[Kiteboarder]

Before I go any further, I want to congratulate Joe Wildcat for correctly scheming the system (to make the west lot) and then show why, (I believe) the new parking allocation is upside down.

By the way Joe, I appreciate your honesty and in no way am I criticizing you.

Joe earlier posted the following: "Correction; with the new point system I have 763 points, not 150. It looks like the $600 contribution is the key factor though now. It's all about the money."

Joe has a good donation record that has been accumulated for several years, and I congratulate him.

I, on the other hand - being retired, only gave $100 to the parking donation, but have a total of 1,256 purple points. Obviously more years and more dollars. I'll betcha Turk has even more purple points than Joe and me total, but that's another story.

But Joe made a better parking decision than I did.

Perhaps you can now understand why I'm not happy with the system.

And please, let's quit comparing parking donation levels with huge state schools who repeatedly sell out virtually all of of their games and have an overall win/loss record that dwarfs NU's. There is a good reason they can demand those donations - their season tickets are in high demand, and overall, through their history, they win much more often. The difference is even more noticeable in fan support whenever Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, or Michigan visit Ryan Field. I see and experience it even in the best seats on the west stands. You know, it's kind of disappointing to see so much red, yellow, and blue in the stands. You would think that the athletic department would be more concerned with filling Ryan Field with NORTHWESTERN fans, than the increased revenue they gain from increasing parking tariffs.

I guess I want to be done with this, so I'll try real hard not to post again here.

 

[FEW]

Likewise.

And now my watch is ended.

 

[Sheffielder]

I know what you're saying, but a great seat is worth more than a good parking space to many people. Some people prioritize the games and other people put a premium on the tailgating and parking spot. A lot of people want both. Northwestern seems to be saying that your points are still worth the seat location but not the parking.

It always stinks when a privilege is given to us and then taken away. I would suggest writing to Dr. Jim, but the truth is, he will just respond with some PC ******** and empty words. He's really thinking, "Tough ****. You were around during the bad years? That must have sucked. Well, I'm off to dinner with Pat and Shirley. Bye!"

This has not been my experience with Phillips. In the few times I have emailed him directly, he's emailed me back within 24 hours (usually less than that), and it was common for those emails to come at 5 a.m., when I'm convinced it was not his assistant putting in extra hours. I sincerely believe he cares about fans and the fan experience, but we all also know for a fact that as an AD he is judged on the growth and expansion of the athletic programs and subsequently, athletic giving.

With that in mind, $600 (which is really only $500 when you consider that most people probably don't mind spending the $100 to "activate" their priority points) seems like a small-time money grab given how much the conference is now pulling down for tv rights, and given the divide between most fans and the 1% who truly drive the funding of the program.

I'll admit it's heartbreaking to read that longtime STHs are losing their spots, and as a longtime fan myself who couldn't reasonably justify spending $600 for the right to spend another $210 on a parking space that I use 7x per year, if I lost my space in what is apparently the lowly south golf lot, I'd probably cancel my season tickets. The god's honest truth is, I could probably come to 5-6 games per year at an immense discount off face value buying them from Gold Coast tickets, which incidentally is an NU "corporate partner." Without exaggeration, I bet I could get WMU, ISU, IU, Purdue, Illinois for less than $10 each...get into the stadium and then sit almost anywhere I want. Market conditions cut both ways.