University Park, Pa.-- Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics has launched its newest service initiative, the Intercollegiate Athletics Customer Relations Center.
The CRC signals the first full-time Athletics staff dedicated exclusively to the servicing of ticketing customers and Nittany Lion Club members. The CRC hopes to strengthen the relationship between Penn State Athletics and the loyal fan base that supports the department year after year through donations and ticket purchases.
"The launch of the Customer Relations Center signifies our ongoing effort and commitment to best serve those who serve us," said Greg Myford, associate athletic director of Business Relations and Communications. "We've put a strong staff in place that understands our need to respond to and assist our Nittany Lion Club members and larger customer base, and we're coming to work each day with that as the mission."
The CRC will implement the structures and programs necessary to build a system of quality support for the athletics customer not only during business hours throughout the week, but for each home football Saturday as well.
The creation of the customer relations team began with these fundamental beliefs:
-- Today's Penn State supporters and fans of athletics demand a more full and more responsive relationship from their favored programs, and Penn State believes that its fan is a valued extension of the athletic programs, administration and staff.
-- To improve responsiveness to the customers' changing needs, this staff will focus on improving avenues of communication using all available tools such as the newest sophisticated Web-based search options, the Internet, e-mail and, of course, telephone communications. The CRC will assume the majority of phone calls and e-mail inquiries formerly directed to the Nittany Lion Club and Athletic Ticketing Services. On a daily basis, hundreds of phone calls and emails are received by this group inquiring about everything from kick-off times to questions about tax-deductible gifts to the Nittany Lion Club.
Customers can reach the Penn State Athletics Customer Relations Center during regular business hours by calling 800-NITTANY (800-648-8269) or (814) 863-1000 Gameday service will be available at the same number as well, beginning at 8 a.m and extending to one hour following the end of each home game.