FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE NATIONAL BISON CLUB

What is the National Bison Club (NBC)?

The National Bison Club is the annual fundraising arm of Lipscomb University Athletics. The financial support of the National Bison Club works to offset the costs of student-athlete scholarships as well as provide a positive impact on our student-athletes in the classroom, in competition and beyond their time at Lipscomb.
 

Why contribute to the National Bison Club?

At Lipscomb, we are committed to doing everything with the mindset of “Highest Level, Higher Calling.” Our Bison student-athletes depend on the contributions of the NBC to compete at the highest level within our conference and on the national stage. Your support to Lipscomb University Athletics, whether to the University Athletics Unrestricted Fund, a Sport-Specific Fund, or Student-Athlete Scholarships makes a direct impact on our student-athletes. 
 

What qualifies me as a member of the National Bison Club?

While we are grateful and accept any amount of support to Bison student-athletes, a gift of at least $50 or more is required to qualify you as a member of the NBC. 
 

How can I join the National Bison Club?

We offer a multitude of ways to join the NBC, for whatever best suits your giving preferences. The quickest way to join is to make a gift online with a credit card or via bank draft. Checks may be mailed to the following address:

Lipscomb University Athletics
One University Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37204-3951

Please contact Mickey Ryan, Director of the National Bison Club, at mickey.ryan@lipscomb.edu or 615-966-5077 with any questions you may have regarding your gift to Lipscomb Athletics.
 

Is my gift/contribution to the National Bison Club tax deductible?

All gifts to the NBC and support of Lipscomb University Athletics are tax deductible. However, as of January 1, 2018, if a donor's gift is related to priority seating or season-tickets it is no longer tax deductible per IRS regulations. Lipscomb Athletics recommends that donors check with their tax advisor for any questions related to the deductibility of their gifts.
 

When is my National Bison Club donation due each year?

The NBC operates on a fiscal year from June 1 through May 31. To be a NBC member and receive NBC benefits, your gift must be received by May 31. Contributions will be accepted year-round. 

**Gifts or Signed Pledge Cards pertaining to Basketball Hospitality access and Season-Long Parking NBC Benefits must be received prior to date of first usage.**
 

When do my National Bison Club donor benefits become available?

NBC donor benefits such as exclusive event invitations, Basketball Hospitality access, etc., will become available at the beginning of our fiscal year on June 1. Parking benefits may be available for the current fiscal year based on availability. Please contact Mickey Ryan, Director of the National Bison Club, at mickey.ryan@lipscomb.edu or 615-966-5077 with any questions you may have regarding your benefits.

 

What are the benefits associated with giving to the National Bison Club?

Click here for a chart of NBC Annual Membership Benefits. A few notable benefits include:

• NBC Annual Membership Package

• Exclusive Lipscomb Athletics Event Invitations

• Basketball Hospitality

• Exclusive Lipscomb Athletics Gear 

• NCAA Ticket Priority
   

What is National Bison Club NCAA Ticket Priority?

Should NCAA Postseason Tickets become available through the Lipscomb Athletics Ticket office, they will be allocated using the NBC Tier System. Though tickets are never guaranteed, ticket allocations will begin with Tier 1 and move down the Tier System until no more tickets are available. 

• Tier 1: Unlocked at the Game-Changer Level ($10,000)

• Tier 2: Unlocked at the Purple Level ($5000)

• Tier 3: Unlocked at the Platinum Level ($2500)

• Tier 4: Unlocked at the Gold Level ($1000)

• Tier 5: Unlocked at the Silver Level ($500)
   

What is National Bison Club Basketball Hospitality?

NBC Basketball Hospitality begins at the Silver Level ($500) for Halftime only access and the Gold Level ($1000) for pregame and halftime access. Pregame Hospitality takes place before every men’s basketball home game and provides donors a catered meal, snacks, light refreshments and a “pregame chalk-talk” from a member of the Men’s Basketball Coaching Staff. Halftime Hospitality provides donors snacks, dessert, and light refreshments. 
 

How many National Bison Club Basketball Hospitality passes am I eligible to receive?

There are two different types of Basketball Hospitality passes: Silver Hospitality Pass (Halftime Only Access) & Gold Hospitality Pass (Pregame & Halftime Access)

•  Silver Hospitality Passes are unlocked at the Silver Level ($500-$999) on the NBC Benefits Chart and do not require the purchase of basketball season-tickets. A Silver Hospitality Pass only permits access to the NBC Hospitality Room during Halftime. Donors who give at the Silver Level will receive Two Silver Hospitality Passes.

• Gold Hospitality Passes are unlocked with the purchase of basketball season-tickets and a minimum level donation of the Gold Level ($1000) on the NBC Benefits Chart. A Gold Hospitality Pass permits access to the NBC Hospitality Room during Pregame & Halftime. The number of Gold Hospitality Passes a donor is eligible to receive correlates with their current annual giving level on the NBC Benefits Chart. Here is a layout of the maximum amount of hospitality passes each giving level unlocks:

• Gold Level ($1000): Two Gold Hospitality Passes

• Platinum Level ($2500): Four Gold Hospitality Passess

• Purple Level ($5000): Eight Gold Hospitality Passes

• Game-Changer Level ($10,000): Unlimited Gold Hospitality Passes
   

What is the National Bison Club’s GOLD Alumni Program?

The GOLD Alumni Program is defined as Graduate Of the Last Decade and is the Young-Alumni Program of the NBC. Becoming a GOLD Alumni member allows you to become recognized as a Purple Level ($1000) NBC Member and unlock exclusive NBC benefits for only a fraction of the required gift amount based on your graduation year. A GOLD Alumni member makes a gift based on the number of years since they graduated multiplied by 10 percent of $1000. To be eligible for GOLD Alumni benefits, you must be a graduate of Lipscomb University within the last 10 years of the current academic year. Click here to view our full GOLD Alumni Calculator. Please contact Mickey Ryan, Director of the National Bison Club at mickey.ryan@lipscomb.edu or (615) 966-5077 with any questions you may have regarding your GOLD Alumni eligibility and benefits.
 

Does a gift to Lipscomb University Athletics on Lipscomb University’s Annual Day of Giving unlock NBC Benefits such as Basketball Hospitality and Season-Long Reserved Parking?

A gift made on Lipscomb University’s Annual Day of Giving that qualifies for the NBC Benefit of Basketball Hospitality access will be unlocked for only the remainder of the current season. NBC Basketball Hospitality begins at the Silver Level ($500) for Halftime only access and does not require the purchase of basketball season-tickets, and the Gold Level ($1000) for pregame and halftime access which does require the purchase of basketball season-tickets.