Two Teams, One Goal

The economic woes that have injured so many athletic departments across the nation have been especially crippling in the state of California.  According to the New York Times, California education has been hit with an $8.1 billion cut in funding this year, and next year is expected to be worse.  At California State University, Fullerton, the funding cuts have caused their athletics department to consider cutting sports, including women’s gymnastics.  After being told they would need to raise at least $280,000 to keep the program afloat, the program team had their hands full.

The team was able to reach their goals thanks in part to creativity and dedication by their head coach, Jill Hicks.  In an interesting demonstration of thinking outside the box and utilizing personal relationships, Fullerton teamed up with UCLA for a benefit gymnastics exhibition with proceeds benefiting only CSUF.  This remarkable display of goodwill by UCLA did not stop with their appearance.  Bruins head coach Valorie Kondos Field also arranged for 5-time gold medalist Nastia Liukin to participate in the exhibition which attracted fans from all over southern California.

Combined with a pre-event banquet with Liukin at $400 per plate, the day’s events raised almost $30,000 for the gymnastic program which was on the brink just months ago.  This event demonstrates how coaches can use their relationships with larger programs to team up for a truly philanthropic event and save a program.  Time will tell if gymnastics will continue at Cal State Fullerton in the years to come, but efforts and creativity like this demonstrate how departments must think outside the box during difficult fundraising environments.

For a video recap of the event, click here.

Rob Norris