Unique "TV" Programs Make Good Benefits

On Friday, September 4, the Auburn University Athletics department will debut its newest attraction: Auburn Football: Every Day… This reality-based television show will air once a week and will be dedicated to following the 2009 Tiger football team through pre-season practices, regular season games, and any postseason bowl invitations they receive. The show will give Auburn fans the “inside” look that so many seek out, but few have access to see.

Donors often cite interaction with student-athletes as the most rewarding part of giving to an athletics department. Every Day… provides the supporters of Auburn football with a personal look into life of the football team from the comfort of their own home or computer. A show such as this could provide Auburn with unique opportunities to recruit new members to their annual fund through commercials and advertisements on the show.

In addition, a show like this (at universities not large enough for a commercial broadcast) could also be provided as a benefit to donors. If the show is broadcasted online, a password-access to the content would provide a unique and desirable benefit to supporters. For non-donors, perhaps a fee could be charged to view the material. Based on the success of similar reality-based shows in sports, the benefits of a program such as this are essentially endless.