Suh set to give back millions before he is even drafted

In what may be the best development story of the year, Ndamukong Suh, a projected Top 5 NFL Draft pick, announced this past weekend that he will donating $2.6 million to both Nebraska Athletics and the College of Engineering. $2 million will be earmarked for renovations to the football training complex, while $600,000 will got to the College of Engineering.

In discussions about the gift, Suh wants the donation to go towards the strength and conditioning of future Nebraska student-athletes. As a player, Suh was able to become one of the more dominant football players in recent memory playing defensive tackle. He wants to give the same opportunities to future Huskers. The $2.6 million is the largest gift ever from a former student-athlete to theUniversity of Nebraska.

While a large portion of the gift will go to athletics, $600,000 will be used to endow a scholarship for the College of Engineering, with preference being given to students coming from Suh’s home high school in Portland. An excellent student, Suh was able to maintain a 3.0 while competing at the highest level in college football.

This story is an excellent example of what can happen with a former student-athlete who has had a tremendous experience on campus. While most student-athletes wait a few years before giving back, Suh has taken it a step further and raised the bar by giving before he even plays a down in the NFL. This remarkable story speaks volumes about both the University of Nebraska and Ndamukong Suh.

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Taylor Wood

University of Alabama updates donors on progress of stadium renovation

The University of Alabama is using a new and interesting approach to keep their donors in the loop on their football stadium renovations. Bryant-Denny Stadium is undergoing a South Endzone expansion project set to be completed before the upcoming football season. In addition to launching an informative website, the University is also producing update videos via YouTube.

In these update videos, they have an athletics department personality talk about the expansion and update donors on the progress of the construction. This interactive approach is in many ways better than a picture gallery or a webcam because it puts the viewer in the stadium with a personal tour.

Videos are a great way to engage your donor clients and keep those who donated to the project in the loop on the construction of the facility. This keeps all fans of Alabama Athletics in the loop on this high profile, high interest project, generating buzz amongst the fan base.

Special thanks to Brian Gainor for sending along information about this project.

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Arkansas State Red Wolf Club partners with local businesses

Arkansas State’s Red Wolf Club is building on the success of a football promotion to bring local businesses to the newly renovated Tomlinson Stadium and Kell Field. ASU worked with the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce during football season on the annual “Paint the Town Red” promotion that rewarded Jonesboro area businesses on showing their Red Wolf pride. The Red Wolf Club is bringing ten category winners to ten different games to show its appreciation for the organization’s participation in “Paint the Town Red.”

Baseball at a lot of schools can be an afterthought, but Arkansas State has invested quite a bit of money in its program in recent years with its $250,000 stadium upgrade. The Red Wolf Club is showing off these renovations to local area businesses that have already shown an interest in ASU Athletics. Bringing the business to the games along with 50 employees or clients allows the Red Wolf Club development staff to get in front of Jonesboro area citizens within its upgraded stadium.

While not every school has the facility options that Arkansas State does, these events brings in supporters from local area businesses engaged in the football program to a baseball game. Tying it in with a successful football program that has community buy-in increases its chances of success.

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Sean Phifer

Baylor wraps up Victory with Integrity Campaign, raises $95 million

Baylor University recently wrapped up a five year campaign dedicated to raising funds for the athletics department, raising $95 million. Over 6,000 loyal donors contributed to Victory with Integrity and the funds renovated or built seven facilities on the Waco campus, including the Highers Athletics Complex and Simpson Athletic and Academic Center.

The $95 million contained $62 million that went to facilities, $25.5 million that went to the annual fund, and $7.5 going to the athletics endowment. This type of concentrated campaign that benefited three major parts of the athletics department allowed Baylor to achieve new heights in their athletics program. Those who contributed have seen the tangible results of the campaign, with an increase in National and Big 12 championships.

These types of campaigns happen through the nation at many universities, but that does not demean the significance they can have on an athletics program. Five years ago, Baylor was a in a predicament with their athletics program. Since the success of this campaign, they have enhanced their program and made a concentrated effort to improve. With the help of their dedicated alumni, fans, and donors, they were able to accomplish their goal.

Taylor Wood

Oregon adds “stunning” academic center to campus

Photo by Brian Libby, Portland Architecture

Oregon has set yet another standard for athletic facilities with the opening of the John E. Jaqua Academic Center for Student Athletes. The center, which opened January 4, is a three-story building that has been described by visitors as the Taj Mahal of Oregon’s campus. The main gift for the building came from Oregon’s super-donor, Phil Knight, as just another state-of-the-art building to bear his influence.

The building is named for the late John E. Jaqua, an alum and founding board member of Nike. The building’s design was inspired by a library on Yale’s campus and features a three-story atrium, an auditorium donated by former Duck Joey Harrington, and a café open to all Oregon students. The building has top-of-the-line furniture and art, providing a breathtaking environment for Oregon student-athletes to engage in their studies.

While few schools can compare with Oregon’s development scenario, there are a few things of value to take from the opening of the Jaqua Center. The building brings together the ideals of architecture and student development by providing the campus with a new landmark while also providing the best environment to let the Ducks succeed in the classroom. Oregon Athletics Director Mike Belotti has a clear vision for updating Oregon’s facilities, as the student athlete service offices that were added into the center were formerly some of the worst on campus. Finally, Knight and Oregon made a stand for the student side of the student-athlete with this donation, providing what have been successful student-athletes an even greater chance to succeed in the classroom.

More photos of the Jaqua Center can be found here.

A video tour of the facility can be found here.

Special thanks to Mike Rose, a Sports Administration graduate student at Ohio University and a proud Oregon grad, for referring me to this story.

Sean Phifer

Purdue nearing completion of Mackey Arena Renovation

Purdue University is nearing completion of their Mackey Arena Renovation project. The arena is currently undergoing an expansion that will add a a student-athlete development center, where both training and academic offices will be held. The new arena was announced in May of 2007. Since then, Purdue has done a wonderful job updating the project through a comprehensive web page.

This page includes live web cam shots of the building, several photo gallaries from different phases of the construction, as well as important gift announcements. By having all this information in one place, donors can see the support the arena project has garnered, as well as learn how to make donations on their own.

With the advent of new technologies, a comprehensive website to follow the construction of the building is a great way to keep the public updated on the progress of the build, as well as a tool to raise additional funds. Illinois launched a similar website during their renovation of Memorial Stadium.

By Taylor Wood

Washington Uses Special Campaign to Build Softball Stadium Lights

This past year, the Washington Huskys Women’s Softball Team captured the NCAA crown in a thrilling victory over Florida in the national championship. This December, the school announced the installation of lights at the softball field, giving the team a chance to play under the lights, as well as offering the school the ability to host NCAA Championship events.

The installation of lights at softball fields in one facility upgrade many schools are seeking. Washington is now reaping the benefits of their title run while also enhancing their current and future student-athlete’s experience on campus.

The school launched a special fundraising campaign entitled, “Let Their Be Lights,” which enabled the donors to contribute to the cause, which raised the $475,000 needed for the installation. This specialized campaign targeted specifically at an olympic sport shows the ability to raise money for all sports in a department and enhance the experience of a special group of student-athletes.

by Taylor Wood

Facility Tours at Northwestern, Northern Illinois, and Colorado State

One of the perks of being a graduate student is the opportunity to travel frequently and tour facilities at a number of universities. I was able to make three such visits in November to Northwestern University, Northern Illinois University, and Colorado State University.

Lakeside Field

I toured Northwestern on Friday, November 13 with five of my fellow classmates led by Northwestern’s Associate Athletics Director of Academic Services and Compliance. The tour included visiting Ryan Field (renovated in 1997), Howard J. Trienens Indoor Practice Facility (opened in 1996), Welsh-Ryan Arena (renovated in 1983), and Lakeside Field (opened in 2007). The Trienens facility features a shortened practice field due to the space restraints of Northwestern’s Evanston, Illinois campus, but provides enough space to allow the Wildcats to escape the nasty winds off Lake Michigan. Lakeside Field features two playing spaces (one for field hockey and a shared field for soccer and lacrosse) and its close proximity to the lake provides an unmatched home field advantage for Northwestern Athletics.

Strength and Conditioning Center at the Yordon Center

I shared my trip to DeKalb, Illinois on Saturday, November 14 with four classmates as we toured the state of the art Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Center with Senior Associate Athletics Director Tim McMurray. The facility was initially budgeted as a $7.5 million addition but enough donations were collected to double that expense. This allowed McMurray and the NIU staff to ensure every aspect of the project was top of the line. This includes a 12,500 square foot Strength and Conditioning Center featuring a 40-yard track. While the facility was opened in August 2007, the Yordon Center looks like it was opened yesterday with new features added frequently.

Indoor Practice Facility

I visited Colorado State University’s brand new Academic and Training Center and Indoor Practice Facility on Wednesday, November 25. CSU’s Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Operations Gary Ozzello led me on my tour of the two facilities that opened in August. The Academic and Training Center features a weight room to handle each of the Rams’ teams and study area for up to half of its 400 student athletes. The Indoor Practice Facility is a truly multipurpose center with a 70-yard football field, practice courts used by Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Volleyball, a 60-yard indoor track, indoor throwing area for Track and Field, and batting cages for Softball. CSU was able to remove a potential safety hazard in its football field by installing 12 robotic cameras that can be operated from across campus instead of the dangerous camera towers used at its outdoor field.

Boise State gets creative, starts program to buy stock

Making waves across the sports industry, Boise State’s announcement that they will begin selling “Bronco Stock” has unveiled a new way to raise money for the athletics department. Those who purchase the stock will become members of Boise State Broncos, Inc., receive stock certificates and voting privileges.

200,000 shares of stock will be issued at a $100 price tag, making the new venture capable of raising $20 million dollars to raise money for a new facility for student-athletes. The stock is also transferable to family members or other interested parties. However, the money used to purchase stock will not allow shareholders benefits, such as priority parking or priority seating.

This new system is certainly an innovative approach to raising money for a new building. Instead of focusing on a variety of large gifts, the department is selling many small gifts that will be used to build a new facility. This allows those in the Boise community who may not have the ability to give a the larger levels to be a part of the new building. If a sense of urgency and feeling of involvement can be created with this program, shareholders will feel valued and a part of the Boise State success.

Kentucky receives donation to build new student housing

The University of Kentucky has recently announced that they will be building a new building to house their basketball team. The team has spent the past 31 years living in Joe B. Hall Wildcat Lodge, located across the street from Memorial Coliseum and the new Craft Center.

The Difference Makers, a committed group of UK supporters, donated the money for the new Lodge. Joe Craft, who supplied the $6 million to name the new basketball facility, heads the group and spurred the initiative. The new housing is to be named the Wildcat Coal Lodge to honor the unique tie Kentucky has to the coal industry and its importance in the state’s economy.

There are a couple of unique points in this story. For one, Joe Craft, along with his group of supporters, is once again supplying the school with a large donation to support the basketball program. The repeat donation is a testament to the stewardship practices at the University where the donor still felt connected to the school; even after his naming gift for the new practice facility was made. Additionally, the department was able to leverage their good relationship with Craft to find a group of committed donors willing to further support the program.