Another 50-50 winner

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mchammer
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Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:51 pm

Another 50-50 winner

Post by mchammer » Mon Oct 20, 2014 10:10 am

A Bobcat fan from Helena won, and a correction increases the amount to $10,642. The count is done fast and a few missing zeros made a big difference this morning, adding about $1500 to the total, and $750 to the prize. I'm proud of our track and field athletes who do an amazing job. We total the number of tickets each sells and compare against the cash they turn in, assuring fidelity. This last game the ticket count was only 17 above cash taken in, due to some tickets damaged that weren't sold. The tickets are thoroughly mixed before drawing the winner. The number gives us an indication where and when the winner was sold. The winners have been bought at various times and places so it is a random process. Ticket color is irrelevant since the winner is drawn with eyes closed, and there are no repeat numbers. Our last winner bought five tickets.
We can't do arm lengths, etc... and still hope to hold the sellers accountable. If we allowed that a seller could easily pocket cash, and we can't sponsor a situation like that. I know we still miss some people out there but we had 26 sellers in 13 pairs roaming around tailgates, and the stands. And we always have the table under the scoreboard. All sales must stop by second half for us to get the count complete on time.
When you buy you are donating half your purchase to our athletic department, split evenly between Track and the Bobcat Club. We have sold approximately 100,000 tickets so far in five home games. Over the last four years the prize went unclaimed only once which increased the donation to athletics for that game.
Selling is difficult when it gets cold, because our sellers can't work very well with gloves on, and fans are affected similarly. The record prize is $14,326 and the record for a selling team of three is $3,578 for one game. Thanks to all who have contributed to 50-50.

Mike Carignan



Mtcatfan
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Re: Another 50-50 winner

Post by Mtcatfan » Mon Oct 20, 2014 9:58 pm

Thanks Mike. Where do I go to pick up my money when I win?



mchammer
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Re: Another 50-50 winner

Post by mchammer » Mon Oct 20, 2014 10:36 pm

Go to the Guest Services booth behind the stadium ticket office to claim prize. A check is mailed to the winner.



77matcat
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Re: Another 50-50 winner

Post by 77matcat » Tue Oct 21, 2014 12:59 pm

Agree the track team does a great job!!!!!!

Thanks


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mchammer
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Re: Another 50-50 winner

Post by mchammer » Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:48 am

Appreciated. Automation is probably in the future of the 50-50 here, but it will still depend on the sellers and good will of the fans. As changes are considered I remind myself and anyone interested that these are football games, and that we ought to avoid a casino atmosphere.



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wbtfg
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Posts: 13621
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 12:52 pm

Re: Another 50-50 winner

Post by wbtfg » Wed Oct 22, 2014 10:02 am

mchammer wrote:Appreciated. Automation is probably in the future of the 50-50 here, but it will still depend on the sellers and good will of the fans. As changes are considered I remind myself and anyone interested that these are football games, and that we ought to avoid a casino atmosphere.
How would automation work?



ilovethecats
Golden Bobcat
Posts: 6509
Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:12 pm

Re: Another 50-50 winner

Post by ilovethecats » Wed Oct 22, 2014 10:24 am

mchammer wrote:A Bobcat fan from Helena won, and a correction increases the amount to $10,642. The count is done fast and a few missing zeros made a big difference this morning, adding about $1500 to the total, and $750 to the prize. I'm proud of our track and field athletes who do an amazing job. We total the number of tickets each sells and compare against the cash they turn in, assuring fidelity. This last game the ticket count was only 17 above cash taken in, due to some tickets damaged that weren't sold. The tickets are thoroughly mixed before drawing the winner. The number gives us an indication where and when the winner was sold. The winners have been bought at various times and places so it is a random process. Ticket color is irrelevant since the winner is drawn with eyes closed, and there are no repeat numbers. Our last winner bought five tickets.
We can't do arm lengths, etc... and still hope to hold the sellers accountable. If we allowed that a seller could easily pocket cash, and we can't sponsor a situation like that. I know we still miss some people out there but we had 26 sellers in 13 pairs roaming around tailgates, and the stands. And we always have the table under the scoreboard. All sales must stop by second half for us to get the count complete on time.
When you buy you are donating half your purchase to our athletic department, split evenly between Track and the Bobcat Club. We have sold approximately 100,000 tickets so far in five home games. Over the last four years the prize went unclaimed only once which increased the donation to athletics for that game.
Selling is difficult when it gets cold, because our sellers can't work very well with gloves on, and fans are affected similarly. The record prize is $14,326 and the record for a selling team of three is $3,578 for one game. Thanks to all who have contributed to 50-50.
does that mean next year we can just do blue and yellow?! :D
Mike Carignan



mchammer
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Posts: 662
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:51 pm

Re: Another 50-50 winner

Post by mchammer » Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:16 am

Yes color is irrelevant, except that we noticed people began buying more in an effort to have each color. We figured they were just trying to spread their tickets out in the hopper and this was one way to do that, or just have fun trying to collect all. Whatever, sales went up. Automation has arrived already at many venues. Sellers print out numbers to hand to buyers. The numbers are automatically transferred to a data base and shuffled for a random electronic drawing. Random electronic drawing is not legal in all states. It would save us having to rip up to 30,000 ticket strips into singles by third quarter, which is a challenge. I rip up to 5,000 a game by myself. With automation, a running total of ticket sales could be displayed on the scoreboard. This brings a casino effect to mind. And what would happen if there was a glitch? Also, the service takes a percentage, after you pay for it's use. Call me old fashioned but I like the control we have, to which I can only add that we are really conscientious about the process and outcome.



Mtgrizzly
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Re: Another 50-50 winner

Post by Mtgrizzly » Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:49 pm

My sister in law and brother in law who have season tickets are the ones who won it.

To say she was more than excited is an understatement.



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