Priority Points System

Priority Points System Overview

FAQ

Why was there a change to the Priority Points System?
Beginning with the 2019 football season, the Priority Points System provides a new strategy to recognize contributions to the university’s success that are not solely related to philanthropy. After gathering feedback from the previous Seat Selection Process, our goal is to create a more simplified and inclusive system while allowing us to respond to the new tax law changes, enacted through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, that have impacted Buckeye Club and premium seat holders. We have rewarded alumni and long-time season ticket holders and are recognizing required payments by Athletics donors.

When is the deadline to make a gift or payment to receive points?
The deadline to make a gift or Athletics payment to receive points will be March 1 of each year.

What is considered a philanthropic gift?
Philanthropic gifts are any contribution made by you or on your behalf, including contributions from a donor advised fund, foundation or employer contribution. Pursuant to tax law changes in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, ticket related payments made to the Buckeye Club or for premium seating are no longer considered charitable gifts. Due to IRS requirements, IRA contributions are also excluded from this calculation.

What is Athletics giving?
An Athletics payment is any required payment made to the Department of Athletics for the opportunity to purchase tickets, thus making it non-tax-deductible. Pursuant to tax law changes in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, per-seat contributions and payments made for premium seating are not considered charitable gifts. Any gifts above the minimum per-seat contribution amount would be considered charitable.

Will I receive points for my premium seat payments that are no longer tax deductible?
Yes. You will receive points for all premium seat payments, which include Club Seats, Suites and PSL’s, not including the cost of tickets.

How do I improve my priority?

Beginning with the 2022 season, the best way to improve your ranking within each giving level is to make your contribution to the Buckeye Club by March 1, 2022. Your priority points ranking within each giving level as of March 1, 2022 will determine the order in which you will choose your seats and parking lot along with your priority for away/post-season tickets.

If you are interested in increasing your support of Ohio State Athletics, or for more information on accruing and/or improving your giving level and priority points, please contact the Buckeye Club via email at buckeyeclub@osu.edu or by phone at (614) 292-9908.

Will I receive points for my pledge to Athletics
You will receive points (1 point for every $10) for any remaining balances on Athletics pledges of $100,000 or more. Athletics pledges of $100,000 or more exclude Buckeye Club, per-seat contributions and pledges to non-Athletics units.

Where can I check my Priority Point Total?
You can check your most recent Priority Point Total by clicking here.

Example Scenarios

Scenario 1: Giving Level and Priority

Joe Buckeye and Jessica Buckeye are both season ticket holders:

Joe Buckeye gives $400 to the Buckeye Club to qualify for his four season tickets in Zone 5 and has a total of 500 priority points.

- 4 x $100 (per-seat contribution) = $400
- Based on his annual giving of $400, Joe is at the Horseshoe giving level.
- Joe is ranked with all other donors at the Horseshoe giving level, based on his 500 priority points.
- Horseshoe level donors have priority after all other giving levels.
- IF Joe gave an additional $100 gift to reach $500 in total giving, his priority giving level would now be at the Scarlet giving level. His rank would now be based on his priority points among all other donors at the Scarlet giving level.

Jessica Buckeye has two season tickets in Zone 2 and a non-proximity parking pass (total $3,000 contribution requirement to the Buckeye Club) and has a total of 300 priority points.

- 2 x $1,000 (per-seat contribution) = $2,000
- Additional $1,000 gift to reach total $3,000 in annual giving to qualify for non-proximity parking.
- Jessica is now at the B1G Champions giving level.
- Jessica is ranked with all other donors at the B1G Champions giving level, based on her priority points.

Even though Jessica has fewer priority points than Joe Buckeye (300pts vs 500pts), she is at a higher giving level (B1G Champions – $3,000 vs Horseshoe – $400), Jessica’s priority rank is higher than Joe’s.

Scenario 2: Parking Pass Holder

Jennifer Buckeye has four season tickets in Zone 1 and a premier parking pass (total $6,000 to the Buckeye Club).

- 4 x $1,500 (per-seat contribution) = $6,000
- The $6,000 in per-seat contributions qualifies her for one premier parking pass ($6,000 cumulative Athletics giving per pass) or two non-proximity parking passes ($3,000 cumulative Athletics giving per pass).
- Jennifer is at the National Champions giving level.
- Jennifer is ranked with all other donors at the National Champions giving level, based on her priority points.
- When her parking selection window opens, she can select the lot of her choice, based on availability.

Scenario 3: Annual President’s Club donor

John Buckeye and Jane Buckeye are both season ticket holders:

John Buckeye has two season tickets in Zone 4 and has a total of 500 priority points.

- 2 x $250 (per-seat ) contribution = $500
- John is at the Scarlet giving level.
- John is ranked with all other donors at the Scarlet giving level, based on his priority points.
- Scarlet level donors will have priority after all other giving levels above the Scarlet level.

Jane Buckeye has two season tickets in Zone 4 and has a total of 400 priority points.

- 2 x $250 (per-seat contribution) = $500
- Jane is at the Scarlet giving level.
- Jane also gives $3,000 annually to a non-athletic fund and is recognized in President’s Club. The non-athletic giving is not included in her Athletics giving total.
- However, it is included in her priority points.
- Jane will be ranked with all other donors at the Scarlet giving level based on her priority points.
- Scarlet level donors will have priority after all other giving levels above Scarlet level.

John and Jane are at the same Buckeye Club giving level and are ranked within the Scarlet level based on their priority points.

Scenario 4: President’s Club Lifetime member

Jillian Buckeye and Jason Buckeye are both season ticket holders:

Jillian Buckeye has two season tickets in Zone 5 and has a total of 500 points

- 2 x $100 (per-seat contribution) = $200
- Jillian is at the Horseshoe level.
- Jillian is ranked with other donors at the Horseshoe level, based on her priority points.
- Horseshoe level donors will have priority after all other giving levels above the Horseshoe level.

Jason Buckeye is a President’s Club Lifetime donor, has two season tickets in Zone 6 and has a total of 600 points

- Jason does not have to give a per-seat contribution for his seats.
- Jason also makes a charitable gift of $50 to the Buckeye Club.
- Jason is at the Horseshoe Level.
- Jason is ranked with other donors at the Horseshoe level, based on his priority points.

Jillian and Jason are at the same Buckeye Club giving level and are ranked within the Horseshoe level based on their priority points.