1. Donors receive One(1) point for each $100 donated to the VASF since 1986. (Only funds actually received count towards a donor's point total.)
2. Donors receive One(1) point for each $100 donated to Athletic Capital/Endowment funds since 1986.
3. Donors receive Five (5) points fr each consecutive year of donating to the VASF since 1986. Donors whose membership becomes inactive will lose accumulated years of service points.
4. UTK Letterwinners in any mens' or womens' sport will receive a one time addition of 50 points per membership, provided the Letterwinner is a current T-Club member. Team and Lettermens' club records will be used if necessary to determine whether or not a student-athlete lettered while an athlete at UTK.
5. VASF members who were donors to athletics prior to 1986 will receive a one time addition of 50 points per membership. An official athletics receipt or a canceled check may suffice for substantiation.
6. Contributions to any other development funds of The University of Tennessee at any time are NOT counted towards a donor's VASF point total.
7. Arena Fund contributions DO NOT count towards a donor's point total.
8. Donors will be notified in advance of associated deadlines of any modification of the point system deemed necessary by the Athletic Department.

Point System Questions and Answers

1. Why is the VASF changing to a point system?

Currently the VASF only considers total cumulative giving and annual membership level in determining how to allocate benefits. Many donors, especially long time givers, feel that the length of service should be recognized as well. The point system enables the VASF to lace a tangible value on such things as the number of years a donor has been giving, giving to athletics before 1986, and even awards to UT letterwinners. 

There are often just not enough tickets to go around to all the VASF donors who feel like they deserve to attend a contest for which demand exceeds supply. It would be impossible to systematically and fairly allocate tickets and other benefits such as parking passes if each individual's unique "loyalty factor" was considered and compared with others. 

Instead, the VASF point system primarily incorporates two factors which can be quantified, consecutive years of giving to the VASF (regardless of giving level), and accumulated contributions. 

2. In monetary terms, how are points allocated, i.e. what is the value of one point?

The VASF awards one (1) point per $100 given. A $1000 donation is recognized with 10 points.

3. What are some of the priorities determined by the point system?

The point system, as well as a donor's annual gift level, will determine priority to purchase and location assignment for new ticket orders and change requests fro basketball and football season tickets, SEC and NCAA basketball tournaments, SEC football championship and bowl games, football away game tickets, as well as parking for football and basketball, and any other situation when donor requests must be prioritized.

4. How/when are points being awarded?

Points are awarded to a donor's membership when the contribution funds are actually received in the VASF office.

5. Does the point system affect my current season football and basketball location?

No. Current athletic department policy enables a donor to receive the same seat assignment provided that the donor continues to make his/her annual contribution and meets all the associated deadlines.

6. What's the difference between my point total and my Rank?

Your point total determines your rank among other VASF donors. The higher the point total, the "better" the ranking. In other words, the VASF donor with the most points is ranked one (1) out of all 10,000 VASF donors.

7. When is the rank determined?

After all gifts received by March 1 each year have been recorded, the VASF will rank donors for the purpose of benefits associated with the upcoming football season. These benefits include new season ticket orders, change requests, away game priority and parking pass locations. The VASF will rank donors again on June 30 for the purpose of determining basketball priorities for the upcoming season. Finally, the VASF will rank all donors on September 30 to determine priority for football post season contests, and basketball post season tournaments.

8. When do I make my contribution to receive football season benefits?

Your annual contribution must be received by March 1 for you to receive priority football and basketball season ticket and parking application. The old priority day of March 15 was changed to March 1 to help provide better service and more accurate records for your tickets application. Donors who miss the March 1 deadline will not receive priority season ticket renewal and parking applications.

9. I made contributions to the athletic department prior to the VASF being founded. Are these contributions recognized?

Many current VASF donors made donations prior to the VASF being founded in 1986. Therefore, VASF donors who gave to Athletics before 1986 in any amount, will each receive a onetime addition of 50 points to their membership. As you can see from the point system basic guidelines, 50 points is equivalent to a $5000 total gifts.

10. How are matching gifts from employers affected by the Point System?

As long as the matching gift form is correctly completed and included with the gift, the donor is recognized at the membership level qualified for by the total pledge. However, points from matching gifts can only be awarded when that matching donation actually arrives. For example, a donor sends a $500 gift on February 5th along with a matching gift form which will enable the VASF to receive another $500 from the donor's employer. The total gift will be $1000 and the donor is immediately recognized at the Trailblazer level. The membership receives five (5) points from the $500 contribution as soon as the gift is recorded. However, the donor cannot receive the five (5) points from the employer's contribution until that contribution is actually received, which, in some cases may take several months. Matching gift donors are urged to send their contributions and match forms in to the VASF office as soon as possible to accelerate the receipt of the matching gift

11. How are Vol Check-Off program participants affected?

A Vol Check-Off program participant will be recognized at the level of his/her total annual pledge. However, as the above guidelines indicate, points are only awarded when the monthly withdrawal is received by the VASF.

12. Do Arena Fund contributions count toward my point total?

No. Arena Fund pledges and contributions were made prior to the VASF being founded in 1986. Contributions made to the Arena Fund do not receive point credit because Arena Fund donors received lifetime rights to their Arena seats with no further donation required in exchange for their gift.

13. My spouse and I are both UT letterwinners, but we share on VASF membership. Can We each count 50 points (as Lettterwinners) to our membership?

Yes. However, this rule applies only to married couples who were both UTK Letterwinners and who have had an active membership.

14. Do my Presidents' Club contributions or other University contributions count?

No. We are unable to count non-athletic donations and gifts toward a VASF donor's point total. University and Alumni Development does provide benefits directly to its contributors.

15. Are T-Club members automatic participants in the VASF priority system?

Letterwinners who are active T-Club members and active VASF donors receive a one time award of 50 VASF priority points. VASF donors who are also members of the T-Club do not receive point credit for their annual T-Club dues. If your are a Letterwinner and wish to join the T-Club, call Judy Constantine at 423-974-9054.