Jayhawks fans need a reality check.

I am a Florida grad who, by marriage and current address, has become a huge fan of Kansas University. I’m a fan of all KU sports, but right now the Williams Fund men’s basketball season ticket issue needs to be addressed.

The example I have seen over and over again these past few weeks is this: The Williams Fund is saying it needs $5,000 from season-ticket holders who have let their contributions dwindle or lapse. Williams Fund director Jay Hinrichs indeed does have people lining up to “donate” $10,000 for these same tickets.

Here’s a news flash: Virtually every other major college program does exactly this. It is standard practice for Division I athletic programs.

Take my alma mater for example. The Gator Booster organization takes as little as $2,200 and as much as $12,000 from their members — and that still doesn’t guarantee basketball season tickets. It only provides “the right to purchase” those tickets for an additional per-seat charge. Granted, the $12,000 level includes football tickets, but keep in mind that basketball is the lifeblood of KU athletics right now. I’m confident Coach Mark Mangino, Coach Ritch Price, Coach Ray Bechard and the other Jayhawk coaches on the rise will change our one-sport minds.

At Oregon, a $3,000 gift is required before including basketball tickets in the membership package. Tulsa also requires a $3,000 gift in order to receive basketball tickets. K-State does not provide priority seating to Ahearn Fund members at less than the $1,000 gift level. That’s right, a department totally dependent on football requires a $1,000 gift from boosters in order to get “priority” basketball seating … and they still pay for parking. If you dig deeper, even schools we wouldn’t deem “big time” have similar gift requirements for tickets.

Hinrichs is doing the right thing for KU athletics. If KU doesn’t bite the bullet, hurt some feelings and bring in some cash, Jayhawk hoops will no doubt slip into the basement of Big 12 athletics. Every other big time hoops school requires a major donation for priority seating. Texas may not pack ’em in for home basketball games, but you can bet your mortgage that most of those empty lower-level seats are sold for $10,000 a pop. Money builds weight rooms, expands recruiting budgets and pays coaches to stay. That’s how you establish and maintain a first-rate athletic program — money and decent coaches.

Paying $100, $200 or even $500 a year for season tickets just isn’t feasible anymore. It’s an “outrage” now only because the Williams Fund has waited so long to leap into the 21st century. It is important to keep alumni and longtime season-ticket holders in the Fieldhouse, but not at the deep discount for premium seating these folks have grown accustomed to. Your love for KU has to be based on more than a first row seat at a Wal-Mart price. Let the people who can pay $10,000 and keep us among the elite programs do just that. Don’t cut your trust fund for KU and don’t tell your kids or grandkids to go to K-State or Mizzou. CEOs, athletes, and coaches all move on when they can’t do the job anymore. KU athletics needs money. Let those who can do the job for KU step in. If we aren’t keeping pace with the top programs in the premier conferences, we’re no longer competing for first place. We can’t be just a basketball school any longer. Golf and rowing need your $200, too.

Support KU athletics. Period.

— Craig Menzel is a Lawrence resident. His wife, Megan Menzel, is head coach of KU’s women’s golf team.