What would you pay to have dinner w/ Phil?

#1
rexvol

rexvol

The Minister of Defense
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#1
The Associated Press

Published: Aug 20, 2007
http://archive.tampatrib.com/archive.htm



GAINESVILLE - Money still may not buy love, but it can get University of Florida fans up close and personal with the national college football champs.
Dinner with Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer goes for $1 million.
Fans on a tighter budget can shell out $25,000 for two sideline passes to the 2008 Orange & Blue game, or $15,000 to be Meyer's guest on the sidelines of a practice session.
Fundraisers at the UF Athletic Association are trading access for cash in a new program to raise money for a major renovation project at the school's football stadium.
Doug Brown, director of the UF's Bull Gator program, said it provides "inside-the-ropes" access. "If you contribute at a very significant level, we look for things that have some value, that provide you access that other people wouldn't have," Brown said.
Football boosters don't expect too many Orange and Blue fans to shell out $1 million for dinner with Meyer, which includes an afternoon going over game film with the coach and his staff. A million bucks also can buy the right to run onto the field with the Gators at a home game.
They do expect fans will be interested in investing $1,000 for higher priority on bowl game tickets, though. The more fans spend, the more access they get.
"My impression is that everyone loves to be on the inside, and to somehow get to participate," said Don Davis, chairman of the Gainesville Quarterback Club. "Not that they want to play; they just want to be in there for a moment."
The idea isn't new. The University of Tennessee allows top-dollar donors to travel to a game with the team and dine with the coach.
Money raised in the UF program will be applied to a renovation project at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field. The project may cost as much as $28 million.
 
#2
#2
Next thing you know, the players will be wearing decals like NASCAR drivers.

I'm all for the athletic program raise money through banquets and things of that nature. But being able tp pay to run on the field with the team? That's weak.
 
#4
#4
lawgator1 said:
Next thing you know, the players will be wearing decals like NASCAR drivers.

I'm all for the athletic program raise money through banquets and things of that nature. But being able tp pay to run on the field with the team? That's weak.
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UT has allowed large donors to run thru the T for a game. I still agree w/ you LG
 
#6
#6
lawgator1 said:
Next thing you know, the players will be wearing decals like NASCAR drivers.

I'm all for the athletic program raise money through banquets and things of that nature. But being able tp pay to run on the field with the team? That's weak.
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I agree. But chances are if someone is willing to pay big money for something, the university is going to hold their hand out.
 
#10
#10
lawgator1 said:
That's the part I don't like.
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yeah, i figured. i have no problem with allowing the big time boosters/donors getting "a little extra" when it comes to going to the sidelines or being a part of some tradtional things......but when you start putting those things up for sale, well, then it comes off as pimping out your product, which takes any mystique those things had away.
 
#11
#11
"you mean I am not really part of the team?" - says the dufus that chunked his million down and ran out with his wife and 3 kids.
 
#12
#12
Those prices are insulting! They will pay me to watch bad football. I could always just go watch a Lions game if I want to see bad football!
 
#13
#13
This is college football where they call it a donation rather then a fee. To me it's the same. Someone is paying for a service and they give it to the school rather then a company. This is the fine line between tradition and capitalism. Folks with the means paying for something that others have to earn.

Don't think the school should sell it's soul to recieve contributions or donations. But the school does need to get donations to run programs, build/expand facilities, scholarships, and pay salaries. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
 
#14
#14
hohenfelsvol said:
This is college football where they call it a donation rather then a fee. To me it's the same. Someone is paying for a service and they give it to the school rather then a company. This is the fine line between tradition and capitalism. Folks with the means paying for something that others have to earn.

Don't think the school should sell it's soul to recieve contributions or donations. But the school does need to get donations to run programs, build/expand facilities, scholarships, and pay salaries. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
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don't disagree with that, but when you put a price tag on these things "for a million you can run out with the team"......that's where it gets muddled for me.

if a donor makes a request like he'd like to run out with the team, sure, the AD and coach make the consideration and if they deem it appropriate, fine. but putting it out there for any/all willing to spend or that can afford it, to participate, eh, no, i'm against that.
 
#15
#15
I find it hard to believe that getting to eat dinner with Meyer is the motivating factor to donate a million bucks. Most folks that are fortunate enough to be in the position to afford to give 1mil to the University would be doing it anyway. Dinner or no dinner.
 
#16
#16
jakez4ut said:
don't disagree with that, but when you put a price tag on these things "for a million you can run out with the team"......that's where it gets muddled for me.

if a donor makes a request like he'd like to run out with the team, sure, the AD and coach make the consideration and if they deem it appropriate, fine. but putting it out there for any/all willing to spend or that can afford it, to participate, eh, no, i'm against that.
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I agree with you Jake on the running out on the field price tag issue. This is the part in my opinion. Some things should not be for sale.
 
#18
#18
Any businessman that spends $1 million to sniff jocks "up close and personal" earns my hearty contempt. That $1 million could be put towards much better uses, be they in enterprise or for charity.
 
#20
#20
HotlantaVol said:
Any businessman that spends $1 million to sniff jocks "up close and personal" earns my hearty contempt. That $1 million could be put towards much better uses, be they in enterprise or for charity.
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I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that anybody that ponies up $1 million for athletics has done just fine in business and also does more than their fair share for charity.
 
#21
#21
GAVol said:
I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that anybody that ponies up $1 million for athletics has done just fine in business and also does more than their fair share for charity.
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I love it when people try to tell someone what the "right way" to spend their money is.
 
#22
#22
GAVol said:
I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that anybody that ponies up $1 million for athletics has done just fine in business and also does more than their fair share for charity.
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I agree with you. But, it's still a waste of money. I like sports as much as the next guy, but I will never understand the culture and psychology of "super-boosters."
 
#25
#25
hatvol96 said:
I love it when people try to tell someone what the "right way" to spend their money is.
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I am not going to tell anyone how to spend their money. That's their business. However, I'm free to judge their character based on these and other actions.
 
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