Appreciation for Boosters

Blue and Gold · Post by **Blue and Gold** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 10:37 am

Good Morning Bobcats, I would like to hear from the Bobcat Nation regarding the following:

Are you a current booster, and at what level? Do you feel there are adequate rewards/appreciation to being a booster? What else do you feel MSU Athletics could do to make it more appealing.

I am not currently affiliated with the ASA, but am considering giving money, however can only afford $200-$300.

I have heard that years ago the ASA/Athletics snubbed the average Joe Booster, but feel 10 loyal Bobcats kicking in $200 are worth more than one guy kicking in $2000.

What are your thoughts?

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 10:51 am

Clemson built their program several years ago with their I Pay Ten A Year program. My family gives more than I can, yet I've never felt snubbed in any way. Would love to give more, but even my wife calls me a mizer. Suppose that's why our gatherings are famous because our booster meetings usually consist of beer and hamburgers instead of steak and lobster as that other place is famous for.

Blue and Gold · Post by **Blue and Gold** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 11:04 am

Thanks Cat Grad. I think there is much potential to generate initial support. I will continue to increase my giving as my income progresses. I think there are many others that would be willing to get in at lower levels and increase as they can, as long as they feel there are opportunities at the lower levels.

I would also love to see more visible Bobcats out there in the sea of Maroon and Silver....It makes me sick to see the all of the Griz support in what should be Bobcat territory (Hi-line, Eastern MT).

mquast53000 · Post by **mquast53000** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 11:15 am

Blue and Gold wrote:Thanks Cat Grad. I think there is much potential to generate initial support. I will continue to increase my giving as my income progresses. I think there are many others that would be willing to get in at lower levels and increase as they can, as long as they feel there are opportunities at the lower levels.

I would also love to see more visible Bobcats out there in the sea of Maroon and Silver....It makes me sick to see the all of the Griz support in what should be Bobcat territory (Hi-line, Eastern MT).

When I was on the Hi-Line I noticed the same thing, but if you ask any of those with the Griz gear they don’t know squat about them. They are mostly bandwagon fans. Hell one of them wasn’t even sure what the Griz colors actually were (never took that person seriously again)! There is more die-hard Cat fans on the Hi-Line then there are die-hard Griz fans up there. You know what, Cat Grad is a highliner.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 11:18 am

mquast53000 wrote:
Blue and Gold wrote:Thanks Cat Grad. I think there is much potential to generate initial support. I will continue to increase my giving as my income progresses. I think there are many others that would be willing to get in at lower levels and increase as they can, as long as they feel there are opportunities at the lower levels.

I would also love to see more visible Bobcats out there in the sea of Maroon and Silver....It makes me sick to see the all of the Griz support in what should be Bobcat territory (Hi-line, Eastern MT).
When I was on the Hi-Line I noticed the same thing, but if you ask any of those with the Griz gear they don’t know squat about them. They are mostly bandwagon fans. Hell one of them wasn’t even sure what the Griz colors actually were (never took that person seriously again)! There is more die-hard Cat fans on the Hi-Line then there are die-hard Griz fans up there. You know what, Cat Grad is a highliner.

Cardicat_Cats is a highliner as well

(Chinook Sugarbeeters!).

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 11:24 am

Damn, I go through Chinook twice a week going back and forth to work and visit the family.

ZifCat52 · Post by **ZifCat52** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 11:28 am

I am currently a $200 a year bosster and the ASA will gladly accept anyone that has an interest in Bobcat Athletics at any level of donor. I agree that nayone at any level that wants to support the Bobcats is a good addition to ASA. If you need an application, send me a PM.

By the way, Mick Durham, Johhny Brown, James Clark, and Tricia Binford will all be at Butte today for the Bobcat Scramble. I understand Jason McEndoo, Jay Dumas, and Junior Adams will be in Shelby tomorrow.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 12:01 pm

I served several years on the MSU/ASA board of directors and executive board and am a past president. I've been everything from Booster, Silver, Gold to Grand member & can assure that MSU/ASA appreciates any and all contributions.

Years ago there were more perks- hats, jackets, etc., but with rising costs the decision was made to cut back and funnel the money to the student/athletes where it belonged. This irked a few, but for the most part was accepted.

Some of my best memories are of the time I spent with the other dedicated individuals to enhance the Bobcats efforts.

Give what you can- it's all appreciated!!

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 12:30 pm

Cat Grad wrote:Damn, I go through Chinook twice a week going back and forth to work and visit the family.

I actually live in Billings now, but I am originally from Chinook. Grew up on the highline.

suckitgriz · Post by **suckitgriz** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 1:45 pm

I am currently at the $350.00 level. I don't feel like we get much, but I am willing to contribute- "Build it, and they will come!". I figure good things will happen.

raincat · Post by **raincat** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 2:26 pm

When you contribute to the ASA your money goes into a general fund and is spread among all sports. There is a way, however, to earmark your money for a specific sport should that make you feel better. You probably need to talk to Josh or someone for details.

I went to the Silver level prior to the Kelly Bradley era and back then you'd send in $250 and a few weeks later the mailman (there were no female mailmen back then) would roll up and hand you a box with a jacket , cap, plaque, travel bag, bumper sticker, parking pass, priority ticket information, bookstore discount tickets...about $400 worth of stuff. Then someone actually did the math.
I've continued to offer financial support and all I want is 8 wins.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 2:46 pm

Thanks raincat- exactly the point I was trying to make earlier about the perks.

Blue and Gold · Post by **Blue and Gold** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 2:50 pm

Thanks all, sounds like there are some good MSU boosters out there. I like the grass roots support that is out there for our team.

For what it is worth, Kramer's on the field performance, the character of his players, and his off the field enthusiasm have motivated me to get involved. He has been good for MSU football, athletics, and MSU. Kramer is a winner and a good guy.....and personifies the toughness of MSU.

Helcat72 · Post by **Helcat72** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 2:50 pm

I started in the early 70's as a Century Club $100 booster. Through the years I've raised the level from Century, to Silver, to Gold, and now a Grand. The ASA has been a great way to meet other Bobcats and share the passion! I have been on the Statewide Board from the mid 80's through the 90's and have made some great friends. It's amazing how much you can actually afford to give if the passion is high and you budget it out. Just cut a couple of weekends down to half the partying and buy a couple of Bobcat scholarships!

grizhatr · Post by **grizhatr** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 4:21 pm

I am a grand and have been for about 5 years now. I agree with all of the posts that its not about what we get, but about what our student athletes receive. That is what everyone needs to remember its about them. Its getting more expensive to go to school and of course everything that goes along with being an athlete. Keep the money coming. It is beneficial in the end, even if you don't get a new jacket!

gtapp · Post by **gtapp** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 4:06 pm

Cardicat_Cats is a highliner as well (Chinook Sugarbeeters!).

Go Brent Schileen (sp?)

gtapp · Post by **gtapp** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 4:08 pm

I was a Grand booster for years, went back to Gold last year. I have never noticed much of a difference in the benefits or treatment of boosters at different levels. A credit to the MSU athletic dept.

Robcat · Post by **Robcat** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 10:41 am

I have been a Silver Bobcat for many years and my son and his wife at the Gold level. We would buy our season tickets thru my sons level of giving as at the Gold level you get better seat selection. At the Gold or Silver level you can get 4 seats in whatever section your level of giving designates. We added 2 more seats this year, but if another Gold level booster comes along next year and wants those seats we lose out.

In short, if you want good season tickets best sign up with the ASA. My son and I are going to share a Grand level membership next year and at that level you can get 6 seats. So we can keep the seats we currently have without fear of losing them.

Season ticket sales are very strong this year and going fast. I would encourage everyone to join the Booster Club, they do a lot for athletics.

GavinDonos · Post by **GavinDonos** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 7:56 am

raincat wrote:I went to the Silver level prior to the Kelly Bradley era and back then you'd send in $250 and a few weeks later the mailman (there were no female mailmen back then) would roll up and hand you a box with a jacket , cap, plaque, travel bag, bumper sticker, parking pass, priority ticket information, bookstore discount tickets...about $400 worth of stuff. Then someone actually did the math.
I've continued to offer financial support and all I want is 8 wins.

My dad still has all of those old booster jackets, I think. In fact, when I went to visit my folks over Memorial Day weekend, we rescued one from the landfill that my mom had stuffed into the bottom of some box(probably on purpose). My dad immediately reclaimed it by putting it in the cramped backseat of his truck; which is more cluttered than the local landfill, mind you.

On a more serious note, I think that every loyal 'Cat fan who has an active account on this board should get a complimentary leather "Bobcat Nation" jacket. We can all deal with a few pop-up's and banner ads, can't we? kmax, I'll PM you my mailing address. Oh, and I wear size XL jackets.

Post by **rtb** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:27 am

Oh yeah, Bobcat Nation leather jacket is no problem for us at all. The generous donations by all the members have been great. If you haven't donated any money to Bobcat Nation by now you should feel very very guilty!!! So, that means there are 616 members out there we are still waiting for a donation from!! LOL