Priority Points and Levels
The Department of Athletics provides over 1,000 student-athletes participating in 36 sports an unparalleled experience to help achieve their academic and athletic goals. With no external funding for athletics scholarships, the Department is responsible for annually paying in full the rising cost of grant-in-aid. Athletics scholarships are funded, largely, through Buckeye Club contributions – but there remains a deficit that must be covered through the Athletic Department’s operating budget. Generous support in helping to provide those resources and closing this gap is vital to the success of the current student-athletes and lays the foundation for future Buckeyes.
Priority Level
- Priority for access to season tickets and parking, selecting seat and parking locations, access to away and postseason tickets, and other exclusive opportunities is determined by Priority Giving Level first, then ranked within each level by Priority Points.
- Priority Giving Levels are determined through a combination of Champions Fund giving, per-seat contributions, Athletics pledge payments ($100k overall pledge or greater) and premium football seat payments for that year. Lifetime giving levels start at $250,000 and only include giving to Athletics. No planned giving or ticket/parking payments count toward giving levels.
Priority Points
- Priority Points are used to determine rank within each Priority Giving Level. Priority Points can be earned in a variety of ways including Athletics giving, university giving, Alumni status, Varsity letter winning and more. See the table to see how Priority Points are determined.
POINT(S) EARNED | DONATION DETAILS |
1 point | Every $10 in Athletics giving |
1 point | Every $100 in university philanthropic giving |
1 point | Every $1,000 in irrevocable planned gifts to the university |
1 point | Every $10,000 in revocable planned gifts to the university |
1 point | Each consecutive year of football season tickets purchased |
30 points | Alumni status (one time only) |
40 points | Letter winners in any varsity sport (one time only) |
- A one-time transfer of priority points is allowed only to a surviving spouse. The accumulated points will also transfer to the spouse. Therefore, if one spouse passes away or is otherwise unable to maintain the membership, the other spouse is eligible to maintain the membership and the associated benefits.
*Consecutive years of season ticket purchase for Football, Men's Basketball, and Women's Basketball. In addition, consecutive years of season ticket purchase dating back to 2005 for Men's Ice Hockey, Baseball, Women's Volleyball, Wrestling, and Women's Gymnastics.
Want to hear more about increasing your priority? Fill out this form and a member of our team will contact you to explore your options with you.
Priority Increase Form
Tax Information
- 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 and are non-refundable.
- Per IRS guidelines, gifts from IRAs cannot count towards Priority Points, Annual Priority Levels, Lifetime Priority Levels, or overall giving to the University/Athletics.
- Per Charles Schwab DAF giving360, gifts from this Donor Advised Fund cannot count towards Priority Points, Annual Priority Levels, Lifetime Priority Levels, or overall giving to the University/Athletics.
- For copies of charitable giving receipts, please reach out to The Ohio State University Alumni Engagement Center at (614)-292-2281 or via email at EngagementCenter@osu.edu.
- For further questions about charitable donations, tax information or legal advice, contact a tax advisor or attorney.
Referral Program
- Each year, Ohio State coaches recruit future generations of Buckeyes who desire to commit to the Scarlet and Gray. With Buckeye Nation extending far beyond the confines of campus, you can assist The Buckeye Club in its recruiting process.
- The Buckeye Club Referral Program has been designed to reward our current members for bringing new members to The Buckeye Club. Each current member who successfully refers a new Buckeye Club member will be invited to an exclusive football gameday experience with the new member.
- By helping Ohio State Athletics grow Buckeye Club membership and provide world-class resources for our student-athletes, members can earn exclusive rewards and one-of-a-kind experiences as a thank you for referring new members.
- Step 1: Spread the word to family and friends to support Ohio State Athletics by becoming a Buckeye Club member!
- Step 2: Fill out the form below, including both your and your referred member’s information.
- Step 3: As our thanks to you for increasing support for our 1,000+ student-athletes, all members that successfully refer a new member will be able to participate in an on-field experience during the 2026 Football Season.
