Student Fees for Athletics was $437 for 2024-2025?
For 2025-2026, it was raised 67.5% to $732?
Then the proposed tax on students will then raise it to $832 for fiscal year 2027, then $932 for fiscal year 2028 and finally $1,032 for fiscal year 2029. Are those correct numbers?
96 Replies
10mo
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
(In response to this post by section11hokie)
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VTScoop
10mo
the Athletic Fee technically was raised by $295, the school also lowered (to offset the movement of money to athletics) the Students Services Fee and the Student Activity Fee by $53.50 and $19.50 each semester (respectively). So they, intentionally, offset the athletic fee increase by $146 each year. So, the actual NET increase to the students was ~$149 per year. While that is an increase, it didn't net out to anything close to $295 either.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
And it sucks. I was an ardent opponent whenever this came up. But two things:
1. At least it’s gone up gradually.
2. My son is a junior and loves VT football and says he’s done with it post grad if they don’t get it together. My daughter is a freshman and is worried her friend group won’t bother to get season tix next year. The success of the football team is a critical element to at least my kids college experience. My son says he’s happy to pay more fee. So yea, it’s a tax but it’s also not unfair.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
What about their friends and especially when 46% of VT graduates leave with student loans?
I have kids that went to a B10 school. One has a really nice job in her mid 20s making 6 figures and the other one will be the same in 18 months. Neither has any desire to donate back to athletics especially as they both have a small amount of student loans (their tuition was free) for room and board (and other living).
(In response to this post by st_andrew)
10mo
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
in your 20s!
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
Basically, it's software engineering with analytics.
Oldest one is in front end development in the Government space as a Consultant (with clearance) and is a Project Manager in the classified arena. She rapidly advanced in 4 years post graduation and added about $25K to her salary during that time.
The one in school has has a 3.97 GPA and is more of a Cyber Security developer/programmer. She is already talking to a government consulting group (with ties to the DOE) with starting salaries in the upper 70s.
The middle one already has her clearance but she will be an officer at least for 5 years ...
(In response to this post by VT Pez4Life)
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saret
10mo
from VT. Both have said, repeatedly, they will never donate to VT/HC. And, so have our nieces and nephews. They see no benefit.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
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VTJay
10mo
If we are truly trailing in this area then it should be in line with them ( and I’m supportive of that ). And I support Hokie Club and season tickets. We shouldn’t automatically put ourselves at a disadvantage. We don’t need to be market leaders but don’t need to price/charge at a detriment to the programs either. I want successful programs.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
(In response to this post by VTJay)
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VTJay
10mo
To some friends that I have that have season tickets and donor levels are what you are willing to contribute. Do others have a larger number contributing, yes. And I wish Tech did as well. I’m a Silver Hokie and have been O&M or Silver since graduating in 89. (And the $ to be in them has increased as well).
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
Folks dont get it, the cost of operations of Power 2 program.
First assumption is buying a ticket is all they need to do. IN power 2, you have to buy a ticket, probably with a Licensing for the seat, and they donate another 1000 or 2k for contributors and rights.
THey still think its 1990's. unbelievable.
VT is Not wake forest.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
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2hhoop3
10mo
Show your work and support what you say for a change. Moreover, stop pretending and show the board what you think you know Merc.
(In response to this post by 1947Sunbowl)
10mo
11,000 donors and 150,000 living alumni, so less than 10%.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
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2hhoop3
10mo
data has been shared in hokie publications and on these boards by people in a position to know. Your data is consistent with my memory of some of those donors. All of donors, living alumni, per capita donation amounts, etc. are some of the measurable metrics. I was responding to the OP's typical generalization and following condescension coupled with thinly supported statements he, as usual, tries to pass off as specific knowledge. Perhaps an actual knowledgeable poster like @VTScoop can set us all straight, me included. My perception is VT is no where close to where it needs to be but, not as bad as some like to make out and with reasonable growth potential given the right operation and approach. Thanks for the reply.
(In response to this post by HoakieBS)
10mo
Not necessarily alumni, but contributed 500,000,000 $
(In response to this post by HoakieBS)
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VTScoop
10mo
link for the release of Clemson's giving year.....
(In response to this post by HoakieBS)
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VTScoop
10mo
See the link!
Link:
VT FY 25 Totals
(In response to this post by VTScoop)
10mo
contributions.
(In response to this post by VTScoop)
10mo
I had to pay $2500/seat (and I have 4) for a 10 year seat license at Army this year. That is before the season ticket costs.
You would assume VT would be this way ...
** Edited by AirborneHokie96 at 9/29/2025, 2:32:37 PM
(In response to this post by 1947Sunbowl)
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No Clue
10mo
This is in addition to the season ticket cost. Club level fees are pretty hefty but perks come with them. Last year I had club seats and also 2 seats on the 40 yard line. Can't remember the fee but it was a few hundred dollars.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
levels to incentivize higher donations for better tickets?
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
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2hhoop3
10mo
and incentivize higher donations either a better product must be present on the field or a plan/connection that provides hope must be present. All that is pending at present but, the actions of the BOV and Saturday night result are providing a glimmer.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
Not too bad of an increase IMO.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
If not, why not?
** Edited by AirborneHokie96 at 9/29/2025, 12:37:26 PM
(In response to this post by GCHokieof91)
10mo
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
(In response to this post by Turk Malloy)
10mo
Otherwise it's a huge disadvantage to not charge...
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
to their levels? What do they pay their head coach? What do they pay their coaches and athletic department staff?
If we are going to compare ourselves to JMU, why not also adjust the spending on salaries to their levels as well instead of just the tax on students?
(In response to this post by VT757to276)
10mo
I wouldn't be surprised if athletic fees as a % of total student costs has actually decreased over the last few decades.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
10mo
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
anymore. For someone who shares that he is no longer supporting the program, he sure has strong opinions
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
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saret
10mo
gave up football tickets, and a resultant decrease in required donations. Does that make my opinion less valid? Since this discussion is on a free TSL board, does that make your or my opinions less/more valid? What say you, @AirborneHokie96 ?
(In response to this post by RichCat)
10mo
if you donate or not, that is your prerogative. But to harp on the issue of kids paying an extra hundred and fitty extra bucks to support football isn't really productive
(In response to this post by saret)
10mo
this season and then $100 for the next 3 years as well?
Right?
(In response to this post by RichCat)
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saret
10mo
talent fee/ticket, ala UTenn. It wasn't done this year, because of the historically bad football performance over the last few years. But, I do believe something like that is coming, in one guise or another.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
Everyone pulling their fair share of the weight.
(In response to this post by saret)
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saret
10mo
The currently enrolled students (and their parents) really were not given a choice. It isn't like there was an opt out for them. I often wonder what the attitude(s) toward this would be taken by the international students, who may or may not have any interest in football or other VT sports.
** Edited by saret at 9/30/2025, 10:00:31 AM
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
of things even though not all students may utilize them. There are things international students may take advantage of at a higher rate than those that go to football games. Or for another example, everybody is paying for the gym...they don't all go to the gym. There are pianos that not all students play. Etc. Colleges are giant places full of a variety of wonders, none of which are actually free nor used at a uniform rate by the students whose $$ allows them to exist.
** Edited by I love VT! at 9/29/2025, 9:09:23 PM
(In response to this post by saret)
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saret
10mo
have legitimate arguments for and against. I really have not necessarily understood the acrimony on this issue, but then again, my kids have already graduated. It just seems to me, that all sides want to avoid paying any more, but don't mind blaming the other for not wanting to pay anymore.
That's the way public education works.
(In response to this post by I love VT!)
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saret
10mo
poster is counter productive too.
(In response to this post by RichCat)
10mo
People off these boards so just keep trolling
** Edited by RichCat at 9/29/2025, 4:16:26 PM
(In response to this post by saret)
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saret
10mo
trolling. I simply responded to your post to @AirborneHokie96 . If he had done a similar thing as you, I would have "trolled" him too.
(In response to this post by RichCat)
10mo
So still support Hokie wrestling for now but outside of the Hokie Club and not through the VTAD anymore
** Edited by AirborneHokie96 at 9/29/2025, 3:45:13 PM
(In response to this post by RichCat)
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saret
10mo
transactional. You must donate this amount in order to get the season tickets you want. Since you have a child at the Academy, you've decided to donate those discretionary funds there, instead of VT. Except for those people of extraordinary means, that's a decision almost all of us would make every day and twice on Sunday. imho, that does not make your opinion more or less valid. imo, that makes you somewhat more dispassionate in your observations, since you once did donate rather heavily. And, you're still supporting VT athletics via SERTC.
Thanks for continuing to post.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
about my continued donations, they emailed me when I replied back to their CRM message that I was not continuing my Hokie Club donations anymore due to a general distaste for the way college football has turned into a professional minor league.
They didn't have to reach out but they did.
(In response to this post by saret)
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saret
10mo
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
coaches and pseudo professional athletes masquerading as students. Definition of academia is dead.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
Definitely subsidizing the coaches salaries and a sub-group of major sports athletes. I think the vast majority of the athletes, though, particularly in Olympic sports, do not get much NIL money and are in school for the education.
(In response to this post by HokieBrazil)
10mo
(In response to this post by HokieBrazil)
10mo
any means - but perhaps the inflation is kicking in more these days - as with everything else.
(In response to this post by HokieBrazil)
10mo
I bet money that if Blacksburg or the RVA charged residents the same increases in order to fund a minor league baseball team, those residents would be furious.
(In response to this post by Stringbean)
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VTCS2001
10mo
Athletics has, like or it not, been integral to American universities for a very long time. This culture goes back to the Ivies
In order to maintain this culture, students who have no interest in athletics, subsidize those who do. Including the athletes of sports which don't make money, like track and field, etc. Which might even include charging the athletes themselves. Of course a good chunk are on scholarship anyway.
No one is forced to attend VT, if you don't like the culture, you are free to attend another university
Its my understanding the European university culture has very little athletics outside of club teams, I don't think these are subsidized - i.e. they charge fees or get donations. Certainly nothing like what exists in the US - if you're good at soccer in Europe you go into one of the club affillates U17, U21, U23, etc. The advantage of the US system is you can do both academics and athletics. Yes most don't take advantage of this, but some do.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
So, yes, your numbers are correct.
** Edited by stat_hokie at 9/29/2025, 11:49:45 AM
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
I found it on the internet but could not verify them with VT.EDU info....
(In response to this post by stat_hokie)
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vtlee
10mo
** Edited by vtlee at 9/29/2025, 11:54:48 AM
Link:
JMU athletic fees
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
and do not have the luxury of a big money conference TV contract.
Why doesn't VT cut expenses in order to pay the players more? Why are the students (46% leave VT with student debt) being tasked with paying their classmates 5 and 6 figures as well as coaches and athletic department staff 6 and 7 figure salaries?
(In response to this post by vtlee)
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vtlee
10mo
At JMU they've dropped money into facilities instead. Check out the new Atlantic Union Bank Center or the FB stadium expansion plans.
I guess in way VT has cut some expense to pay players more. The Cassell renovations were put on hold partially due to new revenue sharing responsibilities.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
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vtlee
10mo
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
Texas A&M had some similar cuts to get the overall athletic department expenses inline with revenue and NIL.
Schools like IPFW, Cleveland State don't have football
(In response to this post by vtlee)
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vtlee
10mo
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
Cal Maritime (merged into Cal Poly), IPFW (Cut Spring sports..baseball, softball), Cleveland State, UTEP, ULM, Texas A&M, Northern Kentucky (they have put a freeze on athletic scholarships), GCU
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
10mo
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
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saret
10mo
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
10mo
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
(In response to this post by Happy Dog)
T
TheFacts
10mo
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
And I would have thought their fees were much lower ...
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
(In response to this post by Turk Malloy)
10mo
We need $ from every source we can...
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
(In response to this post by Turk Malloy)
10mo
season tickets to recent grads this summer for $250.00.
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
They are buying a product with their own free will and have a choice.
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
10mo
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
If you are not a fan and cannot attend games (because you are working to pay tuition and fees), then no....not much of a benefit.
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
10mo
Maybe it will happen - likely will. I think the increase in student fees is just something you have to publicly state and get approval from BOV. That is why its front and center in discussion
** Edited by Turk Malloy at 9/29/2025, 12:55:05 PM
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
on students.
I remember some of the bad feedback over the years when VTAD tried to reallocate seating based on increased giving levels ....
(In response to this post by Turk Malloy)
10mo
I'm going to a community college if I am forced to attend college today.
(In response to this post by Happy Dog)
10mo
Especially in light of the ever-escalating fees many 4-year colleges now charge their students.
(In response to this post by likehokies)
E
EDGEMAN
10mo
(In response to this post by AirborneHokie96)
10mo
** Edited by AirborneHokie96 at 9/29/2025, 12:19:39 PM
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)