Updated 12/19/08
Q: What is the Patriot Club?
A: Established in 1975, the Patriot Club is the fund raising arm of the George Mason Athletics Department. With the mission of all Mason student-athletes at hand, the Patriot Club garners support for student-athlete scholarships, athletic facilities, and sport specific operating funds through direct donations and special events. Donors to the Patriot Club partner with Mason to help create champions-not just champions in the playing arena, but champions in the classroom and for life.
Q: Why a priority seating system?
A: We have a need to fund athletic scholarships and we want to reward those who have been most generous to Mason Athletics. Most of our preferred seating sections are sold out.
Q: What is Priority Seating?
A: Priority seating requires a donation to the Patriot Club for the purchase of season tickets. There are different levels according to how long you have had your season tickets and where your tickets are located. Those season ticket holders who do not make the required gift will be provided seating options outside the preferred seating areas.
Q: If I am already a Patriot Club donor, do I need to make an additional gift?
A: If you have already made an annual Patriot Club this fiscal year (July 1- June 30) and it meets the required donation amount, you are not required to make an additional gift.
Q: Am I required to make a gift to the Patriot Club if I give to other areas of the University?
A: Yes. Our priority seat program supports Mason student-athlete scholarships.
Q: Does my Patriot Club gift now include ticket prices?
A: No. Tickets are sold separately and are an additional purchase through the Mason Athletic Ticket Office.
Q: As long as I make the appropriate Patriot Club donation, will I have the same seats?
A: Yes. Your seats will not be moved if you make the required gift. However, if you fail to complete your pledge by the end of the fiscal year (June 30), you are at risk of losing your seats.
Q: If I choose not to make a gift, what are my options for seats?
A: If you choose not to make a donation, we will provide you with ticket options elsewhere in the arena where donations are not required.
Q: Will the annual required donation rate increase in the future?
A: This program has been in place since the 2008-07 season and will be reviewed after the 2009-10 season. We will make the adjustments as necessary.
Q: What are the tax implications of priority seating?
A: The Internal Revenue Code states that if seating priority for an athletic event held at George Mason is accepted as a direct result of a gift, the donor's gift shall be deductible at 80% of the amount contributed. Please consult your tax advisor.
Q: If I split tickets with other people, can we split the required donation as well?
A: No. The ticket holder of record must make the gift.
Q: Can I write one check for both my tickets and my donation?
A: No. We request that these transactions be made separately; however, you can use a credit card for both transactions. The check for tickets is payable to George Mason University and the check for donations is payable to the George Mason University Foundation.
Q: When is the deadline to renew season tickets?
A: The deadline to renew your season tickets will vary from season to season. Please contact the Mason Athletic Ticket Office at 703.993.3270 if you should have further questions.
Q: When is the deadline to make gifts to the Patriot Club?
A: We ask that a pledge be made to the Patriot Club by the season ticket renewal deadline. Pledges can be paid throughout our fiscal year which ends on June 30. You can choose to be billed (sent an invoice) or to have your credit card charged automatically monthly or quarterly. Please refer to the pledge card posted on our web site under Brochures & Forms for these options.
Q: Are only gifts to the Patriot Club accepted? What about program specific, endowed scholarships and capital gifts?
A: All gifts designated for an athletic designation will be considered for priority seating. If you make a sport specific gift, you may use it to cover 50% of the required seat donation amount.
Q: How does my gift apply to hospitality?
A: There are two hospitality rooms in the Patriot Center. One is for members of the Green Coat Society, $5,000 and above donors will receive passes based on their season tickets. Gold Room passes will be issued for every $400 donation up to the number of season tickets possessed.
Q: How does my donation apply to priority points?
A: All donors to the Patriot Club will receive priority points which is a system used to determine the ranking of all donors based on current giving, cumulative giving, consecutive giving years and years as a season ticket holder. Priority points are used whenever seating assignments are to be made including post season tickets.
Q: To what extent would donations assist me in obtaining single game tickets?
A: Single game tickets, if available, will be assigned based on the Patriot Club priority point system.
Q: Can I renew my tickets and make my gift online?
A: Yes, you can do both. To renew your tickets go to GoMason.com and click on the My Mason Nation Account button on the home page. To make a donation online, go to www.give.gmu.edu and select Athletics (Patriot Club) allocation.
