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 Give?
A: Your gift to the Patriot Club directly impacts the lives of student-athletes across all 22 programs. Mason Athletics strives to enhance the student-athlete experience and setup our programs in all aspects to succeed in our conferences and nationally. Be our Partner for Champions and give today.
Men's Basketball Preferred Seat Contribution
Q: Why a preferred seating contribution?
A: The MBB Seat Contribution funds student-athlete scholarships for all Mason student-athletes.
Q: What is Priority Seating?
A: Priority seating requires a gift 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: What are the tax implications of priority seating?
A: Effective January 1, 2018, pursuant to changes included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, payments that provide a donor the right to purchase preferred seating at university athletic events are not deductible charitable contributions per Internal Revenue Code section 170(l). 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.
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 do my gifts apply to hospitality?
A: There are two hospitality rooms in EagleBank Arena. The Green Room (downstairs on court level) is reserved for donors that give $5,000 and above. The Gold Room (on concourse level) passes are issued for every $500 donation up to the number of season tickets held.
Q: How are my gifts 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 away game and post season tickets.
The Patriot Club Priority Points calculation is as follows:
Q: Can I make my gift online?
A: Yes, to make a gift online, click here.
Question not answered here? Please contact us by e-mailing masonpc@gmu.edu
