I'm that level - Hokie Benefactor. I wouldn't normally post that, but I guess it qualifies what I've said on here a bit. I'd say most of the other major gift donors that I know fall into about a 30/70 split as far as those that only do the maintenance vs continue to give above that amount (once they have met their pledge). Honestly, I think all of us went to those levels with the intent of giving beyond our pledges as being "our choice", not required.

I have a decent number of friends at those levels, and I think everyone kind of shook their heads when we saw the new plan, but we knew it was coming in some fashion. After I read up on exactly what was being asked, I realized that it really didn't affect me and most of the other folks I know at those levels, except for a year or two where we may have had other priorities for our money. Most of us typically give at least somewhere close to what the new annual cost will be to keep our tickets.

Of course there are some friends that are completely pissed, because they had no intent to pay anything beyond the maintenance fee once they met their pledge - ever. Granted, none of us were told the major gift levels would last forever, but like HokieBoy, some haven't been there long and feel like they've earned a little reprieve. I tend to agree with them, but I don't know what the answer is. I think the new admin wants to just take their lumps now and move forward with those that want to stay (and new ones that take the place of those that leave). I mean, they already have our money, and if they know we won't pony up for the new annual levels, then what is their motivation to keep us?

Was it a turn off when I first heard about it - you bet. But after letting it sink in and seeing how pathetic overall giving is to our athletics, and realizing that it really doesn't impact my overall annual giving for the most part, I'm kind of ambivalent to it now. I'd still prefer to have the "choice" to give more, but I was doing it anyway.