July 9, 2011
If two heads really are better than one, it makes sense that 6,000 Baylor Bear Foundation members would be way better than 3,000.
That was the reasoning behind the BBF And1 Referral Program that was launched Friday, with a goal of doubling the membership within the next three years. Any BBF member who gets a new member to join between now and Aug. 27 is eligible for weekly prizes. In addition, your name and the new member's name will be entered in a drawing every time you add another person.
Finally, there are three Grand Prize winners for the people who bring in the most new members, the most new money raised and the most money in a single membership.
"We believe that this program will grow our membership and increase the financial support for all of our student-athletes," said Doug Smith, Executive Associate Athletic Director for Development. "And not only that, there are some really neat prizes. Of course, we hope our people will do it to help our student-athletes and to help Baylor University. But there is always that added incentive when there are personal prizes that people can receive. That's just human nature."
The first weekly prize (running through next Friday, July 16) will be an autographed ball by a coach or player of your choice.
Other weekly prizes include your choice of a men's or women's Nike coach's polo shirt (through July 23), a Baylor Web-Cast All-Access subscription for one year (through July 30), an autographed jersey by a coach or player of your choice (through Aug. 6), two all-sports access paces to soccer, volleyball, track, tennis, equestrian, acrobatics & tumbling, softball and baseball for one year (through Aug. 13), a Nike jacket with Baylor logo (through Aug. 20) and a BU flag and two Homecoming football tickets (through Aug. 27).
At the end, a drawing will be held on Sept. 2 at the TCU football game for the following prizes:
- 4 Texas Rangers game tickets
- $100 gift certificate to 135 Prime restaurant
- $100 gift certificate to Elite Grille
- Official "Texas Bowl" Fossil watch
- 19-inch HD Television
- Weekend stay at Horseshoe Bay
- 2 Skybox tickets for a football game at Floyd Casey Stadium
- 2-night hotel stay during Homecoming weekend
Additionally, the Grand Prize winners will receive the following:
- Most new members added: Texas Tech package, which includes four game tickets to the Nov. 26 game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas; $100 gift card to a restaurant; and one night stay at a hotel.
- Most new money raised: Dinner for six with the coach of your choice at 135 Prime restaurant.
- Most money in a single membership: BU Smoker/BBQ pit
The ultimate goal of the program is to double the BBF membership within the next three years. If every existing member recruited just one new member at the Brown Bear level ($400-$749), the Foundation would realize an impact of over $1.2 million in new revenue. At the Green Bear level ($750-$1,499), that number jumps up to $2.5 million.
"This was actually part of our long-range planning process, when we met last November and started looking at the possibility of increasing the (BBF membership) levels and the seat options for football (season tickets)," Smith said. "Our executive committee realized that we just couldn't keep doing this. So we now need more members to help take the responsibility of raising the money for our student-athlete scholarships."
To be a part of the BBF And1 referral program, go to the And1 link on the BBF Web site.
"We realize how critical this program is to the growth of the Bear Foundation," Smith said, "but we're also trying to make it fun and a way that people can receive some very nice prizes.
"It's so easy. You just make a pledge (to join). And if they need a payment schedule, we'll set up a payment schedule. There's no problem with that. We make it as easy as possible for people to be a part of the Bear Foundation. And if they'll do it quickly, there are still opportunities to choose premium (football season ticket) seats inside the 20-yard line. That's a really good offer."
