PSA: Support Spyre and The Volunteer Club

[utvolpj]

What do you think the people not donating that have the means to are doing PJ? You think they are helping our NIL efforts? I mean it’s common sense, if you aren’t helping at this point then you are hurting because you are causing us to be behind some rivals in fan revenue NIL support. It’s just math it’s not a divide or derogatory statement.

It is absolutely derogatory to accuse fans of hurting the program. It's just not the way you're going to build the base. Learn to encourage rather than discourage.

They also need to listen to the numerous comments about reaching out and advertising. For example, they were in a great location to capture attention at the bowl game but you wouldn't even know they were there unless you were looking. They're essentially using no TV, radio, social media, etc but continue to go to the same well all the time. Or make it more fun by offering the Al Wilson $27 level instead of the boring $25. Offer a 16, 51, 92, 98, etc and bring in the old players to push it. I'm more willing to give if Al's telling me to help the program excel rather than being told I'm hurting the program.

 

[Ericvol2096]

It is absolutely derogatory to accuse fans of hurting the program. It's just not the way you're going to build the base. Learn to encourage rather than discourage.

They also need to listen to the numerous comments about reaching out and advertising. For example, they were in a great location to capture attention at the bowl game but you wouldn't even know they were there unless you were looking. They're essentially using no TV, radio, social media, etc but continue to go to the same well all the time. Or make it more fun by offering the Al Wilson $27 level instead of the boring $25. Offer a 16, 51, 92, 98, etc and bring in the old players to push it. I'm more willing to give if Al's telling me to help the program excel rather than being told I'm hurting the program.

You mean this Al Wilson who has already come to meet our members, do signings and is one of The Vol Clubs most vocal advocates?



We are on local Knoxville TV weekly during the season and radio.

Also people absolutely need to know that if they aren’t helping us they are contributing to the reason we are falling behind rivals. Not trying to hurt feelings or call anyone a bad fan but it’s a fact.

It’s another metric in program ranking at this point. Stadium size, Alumni reach, Recruring footprint, how supportive is your fanbase of NIL. It’s in that mix now and once again if you are aware, have the means and choose to not support at this point you are hurting our football program in that regard. Doesn’t mean you aren’t helping in other ways like buying tickets, donating to AD, filling the stadium ect. It’s just one of many ways to help but it is clearly defined way now.

 

[Smyrna ATL Vol]

If I had only $25 to donate somewhere, it sure as hell isn't going to be to the Spyre group.

Some of you guys have really lost perspective on what's important.

Why can’t you give to multiple places?

$25 a month is nothing to some and a lot to others. I’m not telling anyone how to spend their money but who are others to judge how they want to?

I can give $100 to the club, $200 church, $200 to a charity, etc. You can support many causes and things that make you happy. I want to win a championship so I give and I also give to a lot of things that are important to me and my family. Also, send money to GOAL and Rural Hospitals for the tax credits mostly but I’m glad I help people with it too.

 

[Ericvol2096]

Keep it simple:

Gross contributions $$$$
Expenses on athletes $$$ (90%)
Expenses on advertising/G&A $$$ (10%)
Net income $$$

Boom lol

Numbers close to this are out there, I’ll dig them up.

 

[utvolpj]

The message is out there trust me.

You're discussing this on VN with a group that pays better attention than most to UT sports and they disagree.

Over the break I spent a week in Knoxville and then attended both a basketball and football game. There was really no message out there that I noticed.

 

[Ericvol2096]

You're discussing this on VN with a group that pays better attention than most to UT sports and they disagree.

Over the break I spent a week in Knoxville and then attended both a basketball and football game. There was really no message out there that I noticed.

I’m sorry you disagree but The Vol Club is on the dang Jumbotron multiple times a game at Hoops games.

On the football stadium banner tons of times during football games. Videos been played on the Jumbotron.

On the ABC local news multiple times a week.

It’s out there for the general
Public and will continue to be.

 

[utvolpj]

You mean this Al Wilson who has already come to meet our members, do signings and is one of The Vol Clubs most vocal advocates?



We are on local Knoxville TV weekly during the season and radio.

Also people absolutely need to know that if they aren’t helping us they are contributing to the reason we are falling behind rivals. Not trying to hurt feelings or call anyone a bad fan but it’s a fact.

It’s another metric in program ranking at this point. Stadium size, Alumni reach, Recruring footprint, how supportive is your fanbase of NIL. It’s in that mix now and once again if you are aware, have the means and choose to not support at this point you are hurting our football program in that regard. Doesn’t mean you aren’t helping in other ways like buying tickets, donating to AD, filling the stadium ect. It’s just one of many ways to help but it is clearly defined way now.

Al was just an example. Likes and comments on that post tell me it's just not reaching very far. No one is attacking but some who are further removed from the VC might have a different perspective that's valuable

 

[utvolpj]

I’m sorry you disagree but The Vol Club is on the dang Jumbotron multiple times a game at Hoops games.

On the football stadium banner tons of times during football games. Videos been played on the Jumbotron.

On the ABC local news multiple times a week.

It’s out there for the general
Public and will continue to be.

That's fine if you disagree I'm just telling the story of a long time Vol fan/alum/donor who pays attention and has some disposable income. Do with it what you will

 

[BigOrange15]

There is an ungodly amount of information on Spyre out there. Local news, local radio, stadium signage, Facebook, Ect.

There is a HUGE portion of this fanbase that knows exactly what they are, knows they are reputable and are helping and just chooses not to join in the fight.

It will bite us one day if people don’t Change.

We will keep promoting and sharing the story but I don’t buy ignorance as the primary excuse anymore. This time last year, absolutely.

I'm just telling you the experience I and others had. Anecdotal of course.

 

[Ericvol2096]

That's fine if you disagree I'm just telling the story of a long time Vol fan/alum/donor who pays attention and has some disposable income. Do with it what you will

So you are well aware personally no?

 

[utvolpj]

So you are well aware personally no?

Because I make myself aware and pay attention. That market is likely tapped. My dad watches the local news and will never give to VC. I know because I had the discussion with him. His money goes to the university because he knows and trusts them

What I and many others are trying to convey is that the current efforts don't seem to be matching the desired outcome. I just gave multiple examples from the past 2 weeks and you've told me I'm wrong.

 

[KingVFL]

Support the Vol Club as it's the most direct way to ensure we have a good football product. Comparatively attending games doesn't even matter. Miami has an empty football stadium that isn't even their own yet is able to offer huge amounts of money because of a few deep pocketed supporters. They have more people worth $100M+ than Tennessee... as do Texas, Texas A&M, Michigan, Ohio St, Notre Dame, USC among others. If it's a who has more rich people, we lose. We win with everyone we can giving a little. The difference between a Jeb Bush campaign vs. a Donald Trump/Bernie Sanders one.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

If I had only $25 to donate somewhere, it sure as hell isn't going to be to the Spyre group.

Some of you guys have really lost perspective on what's important.

You’ve accumulated almost 50k posts on a forum when time is the most valuable resource you have but go on and preach how those of us willing to spare a measley $25 a month to help our team potentially win have lost perspective on what’s important.

 

[Ericvol2096]

Because I make myself aware and pay attention. That market is likely tapped. My dad watches the local news and will never give to VC. I know because I had the discussion with him. His money goes to the university because he knows and trusts them

What I and many others are trying to convey is that the current efforts don't seem to be matching the desired outcome. I just gave multiple examples from the past 2 weeks and you've told me I'm wrong.

Does your Dad watch ABC news in Knoxville? If so he’s had countless opportunities to hear the Vol Club message.

We can’t be everywhere all the time. I personally strongly disagree that the lack of messaging is the problem, I think we are fighting a segment of people who believe so passionately against what’s happening there is no amount of promotion that will change their mind. Which is unfortunate.

Thanks for the feedback though.

 

[volfan411]

Support the Vol Club as it's the most direct way to ensure we have a good football product. Comparatively attending games doesn't even matter. Miami has an empty football stadium that isn't even their own yet is able to offer huge amounts of money because of a few deep pocketed supporters. They have more people worth $100M+ than Tennessee... as do Texas, Texas A&M, Michigan, Ohio St, Notre Dame, USC among others. If it's a who has more rich people, we lose. We win with everyone we can giving a little. The difference between a Jeb Bush campaign vs. a Donald Trump/Bernie Sanders one.

And Miami's record was?

Why do you think Miami doesn't own their stadium yet? They don't own it because fans don't attend and they have no revenue source to build a stadium so don't act like attendance doesn't matter. Could UT have done all the improvements to the stadium, practice facilities, locker rooms without fans purchasing tickets? The answer is no!!

While I agree NIL is here and plays a part in getting the best players but fans in the seats play just as big of a part. Miami may get the players looking for the most money but their facilities are crap and until they upgrade they will never attract the type of players UT will and NIL has zero impact on facility upgrades.

 

[Jackcrevol]

You mean this Al Wilson who has already come to meet our members, do signings and is one of The Vol Clubs most vocal advocates?



We are on local Knoxville TV weekly during the season and radio.

Also people absolutely need to know that if they aren’t helping us they are contributing to the reason we are falling behind rivals. Not trying to hurt feelings or call anyone a bad fan but it’s a fact.

It’s another metric in program ranking at this point. Stadium size, Alumni reach, Recruring footprint, how supportive is your fanbase of NIL. It’s in that mix now and once again if you are aware, have the means and choose to not support at this point you are hurting our football program in that regard. Doesn’t mean you aren’t helping in other ways like buying tickets, donating to AD, filling the stadium ect. It’s just one of many ways to help but it is clearly defined way now.

EV, again appreciate what you're doing. But, what y'all are doing right now may not be working.

Also, I dont need to lean on multiple degrees in Radio/Communications to turn on the dial - of a medium I chose to work in. Ive not once heard a Spyre or VC commercial.

I contributed last year to VC. Not even an alumni of UT. Several questions I posed to Spyre that were never answered were,

1. Why are you only hitting us plebes up on MB's? Ive heard one Spyre shout out, inside Neyland. Why arent you all reaching out to alumni and one if largest bases in US? Trust me ive been to events in Orlando, and Atl.

2. Where are our dollars going? There is no accountability or visibility. Why would I give MORE money to what?? No clue

3. Lack of results. I know Ill get blasted for this. But truthfully. Looking around, Spyre is supposed to he the standard bearer. The example by which all collectives operate.

2a. Because of lack of visibility, I have no data to answer where or what our money is being spent on. Granted my $5 a month was peanuts. I cant imagine if I were a real donor. Now the narrative is one of guilt??

These facilities, this program should sign a top ten class every year. Again, maybe its NCAA? Maybe kids are leveraging Spyre versus other programs? Maybe we dont have a closer? Maybe we blew our wad on current team? Maybe big time BC's see our depth and dont want to wait to play? Maybe there is negative recruiting?

The secrecy and visibility issues are questionable. i see no real effort being made to increase the number of donors, and, see us getting creamed by other teams with inferior resources. And now, were getting a guilt trip, and being asked to pay more?

That isnt a good look iyam. Again, appreciate what y'all are doing but, I think VC may have a tough year.

 

[BigOrange15]

Does your Dad watch ABC news in Knoxville? If so he’s had countless opportunities to hear the Vol Club message.

We can’t be everywhere all the time. I personally strongly disagree that the lack of messaging is the problem, I think we are fighting a segment of people who believe so passionately against what’s happening there is no amount of promotion that will change their mind. Which is unfortunate.

Thanks for the feedback though.

You might be fighting that segment, but they are not your primary barrier imo. The primary barrier is people here in the midstate or West TN that maybe don't see the commercials and are only casual fans. As I've said before, this type of fan is open to the concept of giving a little once a huge fan explains it to them in detail...but that message isn't getting there from Spyre, period. It just isn't.
Most people I've spoken to in similar scenarios are like "Yeah, I've heard about NIL a little but I don't understand it really". Or "I already give to the university, why am I giving to them a second time".
Spyre and people who speak on their behalf need to stop acting like the problem is fans fighting them, it isn't. Its the casual fan not understanding HOW the money they would be giving translates directly to success.

 

[utvolpj]

Does your Dad watch ABC news in Knoxville? If so he’s had countless opportunities to hear the Vol Club message.

We can’t be everywhere all the time. I personally strongly disagree that the lack of messaging is the problem, I think we are fighting a segment of people who believe so passionately against what’s happening there is no amount of promotion that will change their mind. Which is unfortunate.

Thanks for the feedback though.

Yes he watches it. He simply doesn't feel like it's something worth diverting his donation to UT. He's an alum who's had the same seats in Neyland for over 50yrs so he is invested in the program

Almost everyone is telling you the messaging and outreach to less connected groups is just not there. I've seen people on here offer their services in that area. I just think the view from inside doesn't match the outside which really isn't surprising

 

[BigOrange15]

Yes he watches it. He simply doesn't feel like it's something worth diverting his donation to UT. He's an alum who's had the same seats in Neyland for over 50yrs so he is invested in the program

Almost everyone is telling you the messaging and outreach to less connected groups is just not there. I've seen people on here offer their services in that area. I just think the view from inside doesn't match the outside which really isn't surprising

This is where I'm starting to take some real issue with Spyre tbh. The fanbase largely perceives this as a problem with reaching casual or low information fans. Like you said, less connected. Then Spyre ignores all these concerns but then gets salty when people are like "Okay, well if you aren't going to listen to what the money givers are telling you is the problem, then **** you". Spyre seems to have a preconceived notion about what the primary issue is that doesn't match reality imo.

 

[DarthVol1]

And Miami's record was?

Why do you think Miami doesn't own their stadium yet? They don't own it because fans don't attend and they have no revenue source to build a stadium so don't act like attendance doesn't matter. Could UT have done all the improvements to the stadium, practice facilities, locker rooms without fans purchasing tickets? The answer is no!!

While I agree NIL is here and plays a part in getting the best players but fans in the seats play just as big of a part. Miami may get the players looking for the most money but their facilities are crap and until they upgrade they will never attract the type of players UT will and NIL has zero impact on facility upgrades.

You really think the majority of these kids care about a shiny weight room more than the money they can get in their own pocket?

 

[VOLfrombama]

Personally, I think Spyre's attitude towards small time donors is that they really don't want to dedicate that much effort to pursue your $300-500 per year or go after more small time donors. They are too busy catering to those who are donating 4-5+ figures to be a member.

I also think that if they were that interested in the small potatoes, they would offer something more desirable in return. When i joined, I got a jabari small autographed pic. I was disappointed it wasn't Hendon or Jalin. I re-upped in 23 but haven't received anything at all, not even really sure I will.

Take the Jalin Hyatt membership drive for instance during the 22 season. I would love to know how that turned out. Maybe they didn't sell that many? Again the lack of transparency is hurting.

If you sell an autographed picture for $25, 1000 of them would be $25k. I have to assume they aren't interested because its a lot of work for small potatoes, plus the player probably gets a cut. They could have easily done a Jaylen Wright 1000 yard rusher thing if it worked.

 

[LouderVol]

What do you think the people not donating that have the means to are doing PJ? You think they are helping our NIL efforts? I mean it’s common sense, if you aren’t helping at this point then you are hurting because you are causing us to be behind some rivals in fan revenue NIL support. It’s just math it’s not a divide or derogatory statement.

yes it is.

there is a HUGE difference in the messaging between "not helping" and "hurting". Fans really aren't going to like you saying "Do this or you are HURTING the team/program". Its becoming extortion.

^ not really, but it shows how wording can make a huge difference in the way a message is perceived.

 

[LouderVol]

You know they can’t do that. Deals with players are private and if we sent it out we’d just be releasing to the competition what we pay. Total
Dollar figures, total
Athletes represented, total deals and percentages of money is shared. I mean no one Actually thinks that’s a good idea for
Us to give away or secrets to completion right?

Also if you are a BIGTIME booster gives 6 figure donations I’m sure you are made aware of how the money is used. Us $25 per month folks who get more than that value back in return don’t need that information shared.

I don't think you have to share the specific individual deals.

But something as simple as:
X dollars brought in via Y number of accounts.
Z dollars spent on recruits. A dollars spent on current players.
B dollars spent on non-player expenses.

I don't think any of that hurts relations or deals.

Its hard to sell the power of Spyre/the Vol Club when we don't have the faintest clue what it is actually doing. Being able to tell the fans "Hey we were able to spend X million bucks last year on players." is actually a bit of a selling point to prospective contributors. Then people would know what type of power Spyre actually has, and as much as they don't want to admit it, people want to back a winner. but they need to know that. the information out about Spyre is incredibly vague and doesn't actually tell much about what is going on.

 

[Ericvol2096]

Yes he watches it. He simply doesn't feel like it's something worth diverting his donation to UT. He's an alum who's had the same seats in Neyland for over 50yrs so he is invested in the program

Almost everyone is telling you the messaging and outreach to less connected groups is just not there. I've seen people on here offer their services in that area. I just think the view from inside doesn't match the outside which really isn't surprising

So does he not want to donate or has he never heard about it. You are contradicting yourself. If he hears the message and doesn’t like it then it’s his choice not to support the Schools NIL efforts. Not that he isn’t hearing about it.

 

[LouderVol]

Support the Vol Club as it's the most direct way to ensure we have a good football product. Comparatively attending games doesn't even matter. Miami has an empty football stadium that isn't even their own yet is able to offer huge amounts of money because of a few deep pocketed supporters. They have more people worth $100M+ than Tennessee... as do Texas, Texas A&M, Michigan, Ohio St, Notre Dame, USC among others. If it's a who has more rich people, we lose. We win with everyone we can giving a little. The difference between a Jeb Bush campaign vs. a Donald Trump/Bernie Sanders one.

lol why not use the example of all of the success that Miami, Texas A&M, and USC have had with those huge pocket books?

oh wait, its not a silver bullet.
and telling your fans that one of their favorite and established ways of being a Vol fan, going to games, doesn't matter is also a TERRIBLE message.