Liberty Bowl Premium Seat Selection Process - University of Memphis Athletics

MEMPHIS - In December, 2015, the Memphis City Council passed a resolution to install chairback seating at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in time for the 2016 season. The University of Memphis athletics department announced how the 5,596 premium chairback seats will be allocated.

As part of this major upgrade to the stadium, these chairbacks will cover the lower portion of both the east and west sidelines (Sections 101-109 and 131-132 on the West Side below the ADA walkway, and Sections 117-123 on the East Side below the ADA walkway). Each seat will be 22-inches wide, replacing the current 19-inch wide chairback seats and the 15-inch wide bench seats. All premium chairbacks will have arm rests. Because the seats are wider, there will be a nominal loss of seats per row and additional aisles will be added to bring these areas of the stadium up to code. This will result in a seat-selection process for season ticket holders in these areas only.

All season ticket holders were sent a letter and an email that explains whether their current seats are affected or unaffected by this upgrade. Season-ticket holders in the unaffected areas will receive their renewal notice as normal, with those renewal notices going out at the end of February. For those season ticket holders with seats in the affected areas, Memphis athletics will send a second letter that will set a specific time and date for the season-ticket account holder to choose their new seat(s) based on priority points. Priority points are awarded on their level of giving to Tiger Scholarship Fund, plus longevity as season ticket holders. Fans in the affected areas may also choose to have the "best available" seats assigned to them, with "best available" being defined as the available seats closest in proximity to their current seats.

"This is an exciting upgrade to the stadium and will give 5,596 Tiger fans outstanding premium seating," said Director of Athletics Tom Bowen. "We are working diligently with all of our season ticket holders to ensure that they can find the right seat to match their budget and preferences."

The seat selection process of the affected sections will commence March 14.

The season ticket cost for all of the chairback seats will be $250 per seat, and each will require a per-seat donation. Per-seat donations range from $150 at mid-field to $25 nearer the goal lines. Last season, the chairback seats were priced at $300 each.

Some key elements regarding the new seating and pricing for the 2016 season

Only the seats in the new chairback sections will require a per-seat donation. There are no per-seat donations for any other seats in the stadium seating area. Please see the seating chart (below) and note that only seats in the yellow sections will be affected.
Memphis boasts the most affordable season ticket pricing in the American Athletic Conference, as season tickets start at just $100, and a family of four can sit in the Ashley Homestore Family Fun Zone for just $300.

There will be seven (7) home games in 2016, versus the six (6) home games in 2015.

2016 Home Schedule
Saturday, September 3	SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Saturday, September 17	KANSAS
Saturday, September 24	BOWLING GREEN
Thursday, October 6	TEMPLE
Saturday, October 29	TULSA
Saturday, November 18	USF
Friday, November 25	HOUSTON

Fans in the chairback sections will have the option of choosing their new seats with a seating expert over the phone, coming to the ticket office and choosing in person, or having the best available seats chosen for them. The order of choosing seats is based on priority points and level of giving to the Tiger Scholarship Fund.
Season-ticket holders in the affected areas will have the first opportunity to choose the same number of seats in the chairback sections. If any chairback seats remain, requests made during the reseating process will be honored in priority point order.
A special email address has been created to exclusively handle the seat selection process. Emails should be addressed to footballseats@memphis.edu.

Season Ticket Costs
Section/Area	2016 Prices
Box Seats (Chairback Seats)	$250#
Lower Sideline	$210
Upper Sideline	$140
Ashley Furniture Family Fun Zone (4 tickets)	$300
Endzone	$100
U of M Faculty/Staff* (Section 106 - Lower Sideline)	$100
U of M Faculty/Staff* (Section 106 - Chairback Seats)	$125#
* Must present ID at Athletic Ticket Office in advance
# Donation Required (see donation amounts below)

Season Ticket and Reseating Timeline

February 8th	Communication Mailers #1 Issued (Notification Only)
February 9th	Communication #1 Emails Sent/Press Release/Website(Notification Only)
February 16th	Communications Mailers #2 Issued (Includes Appointment/Priority/Response Card)
February 17th	Communications #2 Emails Sent (Includes Appointment/Priority/Response Card)
February 29	Season Ticket Renewals Mailed
March 4th	Response Card Deadline for Appointment Times
March 14th	Reseating Appointments Commence
June 1st	Season Ticket Renewal Deadline
June 20th	Seats Sold Manifest due for printing of Souvenir-Style Tickets
August 1st	Season Tickets Ship to Season Ticket Holders/Athletic Ticket Office
September 3rd	Memphis vs Southeast Missouri State (Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium)

Construction Timeline

January 29th	-	Accurate drawings provided to the University
March 1st	-	City Bid Process (Expedited)
March 14th	-	City Bid Process Closes
March 24th	-	Contractor Awarded
April 1st	-	Seats Ordered from Supplier (6-8 week lead time)
May 14th	-	Demolition of existing benches
June 1st	-	Seat Installation Begins
August 1st	-	Construction Complete

Frequently Asked Questions

What will the seating capacity of the reconfigured Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium be?
The current capacity of 59,307 will be reduced by approximately 1,100 seats taking it to approximately 58,207.

Why is this happening?
The City of Memphis passed a resolution in December to make this incredible update to the stadium and the construction will be complete later this summer. Because the seats are wider, there will be a nominal loss of seats per row and additional aisles will be added to bring these areas of the stadium up to code. This results in the need for a seat-selection process for season-ticket holders in these areas only.

Why are you adding a per seat donation requirement?
These new chairback seats are truly premium seats and are a wonderful addition to our stadium. We were one of a handful of schools in the American Athletic Conference that did not have required donations tied to premium seating. With the rising cost of tuition, these premium seats will help meet the needs in building a premiere athletic department.

Will the big donors be able to come in and take up the good seats?
No. We highly value our season ticket holders and are giving all 2015 season ticket holders in the affected area the first rights to the seat selection process. Virtually every school in the country simply allows anyone with the highest priority points to select seats, but we are giving our dedicated and faithful fans the first right to stay in these sections.

Will everyone be happy with their seat location?
We certainly hope so. We anticipate some fans will have seats in a new area that is different than what they are used to. One of the benefits of this process is that each individual account holder has the opportunity to select their own seats based on their own preferences. Do you like to sit on an aisle? Do you prefer to be close to the action? It will be up to the fan to determine the most important preferences.

Can I select the same seats I have always had?
Because the seats are wider, there will be a nominal loss of seats per row and additional aisles will be added to bring these areas of the stadium up to code. This will result in fewer seats and the need to have everyone choose their seats.

What does the donation go towards?
All donations to the Tiger Scholarship Fund support scholarships for the almost 400 student-athletes. Memphis athletics is responsible for the cost of every scholarship, in addition to the cost of attendance.

Does this donation count towards my men's basketball per seat donation requirement?
No. The football per-seat donation is separate from the men's basketball per-seat donation.

Is the per-seat donation tax-deductible?
Yes, a portion of your required seat donation is tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor, but you will receive a gift receipt for 80% of the value of the donation.

If I don't respond or miss the response deadline, what happens to my account?
Your seats will automatically be selected for you and you will be invoiced for the seats and required donations.

I want to sit with my family or friends. How do we select seats together?
Yes. To do so, you will inform the ticket office that you would like to have a group seating appointment. The group appointment time will be based on the lowest ranking group member, according to the priority point system.

How do I select my seats?
The seat selection process of the affected sections will commence March 14. Memphis athletics will send a second letter that will set a specific time and date for the season-ticket account holder to choose their new seat(s) based on priority points. Fans in the chairback sections will have the option of choosing their new seats with a seating expert over the phone, coming to the ticket office and choosing in person or having the best available seats chosen for them. The order of choosing seats is based on priority points and level of giving to the Tiger Scholarship Fund.

I can't come to the appointment to choose my seats. What are my options?
You can call in during your appointment time and a seating expert can help you over the phone. You may also designate a proxy in writing to represent you at the appointment time. Finally, you can choose the "best available" seat, which is defined as the seats closest in proximity to your current seats.

When is my appointment time?
Your appointment time is based on your giving level, priority points, and longevity as a season ticket holder. You will receive an email and a letter in mid-to-late February that will state your seat-selection appointment time.

How many seats can I purchase?
You are limited to the same number of season tickets that you purchased in the affected sections last year. If you wish to reduce your seats, we can accommodate that request during your seat selection appointment. If you wish to add seats, your request will be handled at the end of the process in priority point order.

I want to add seats to my account. How can I do that?
This is possible, but only at the end of the seat-selection process and also assumes that there will be seats available. Requests from current season-ticket holders and others will be honored in priority point order.

What if I don't want to pay a donation?
Only the new premium chairback seats and less than 10% of the seats in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium have a required donation attached to them. We would be happy to find a great alternative seating location that fits your budget desires.

What if I want to move outside the affected area?
If you want to move to another area of the stadium, our ticketing staff will be happy to assist you. You can handle this change during your appointment time, or you can call the ticket office and request seats in the new location.

When do I have to pay for my seats and my donation?
You will need to pay for your required seat license when you choose your seats, but you can choose to pay for your season tickets by the June 1 deadline.

I would like to sit in the premium chair back section. How do I get involved in the seat selection process?
We have reserved these seats for those season ticket holders that already have seats in the affected areas. However, after they have completed the seat selection process, fans who have indicated a desire to move into those areas will be able to select seats based on their priority points.

I have never been a member of the Tiger Scholarship Fund. Do I receive donor benefits with my per seat donation?
Yes. Donor benefits vary by the level of support, but you become a member as soon as your donation is received. Donor benefits include priority points, newsletter, welcome packet, priority access to away games and bowl game tickets, and recognition events.

What types of payments are accepted?
Cash, checks, and credit cards accepted.