Just a question... Do we have anything like this? Or is Champs our version? If we are going to stay in the WAC and with programs like this, we'd better get a plan quickly. Can you say "left behind?"
http://www.bulldogfoundation.org/about_bdf/
The Bulldog Foundation recognizes the value of a successful athletic program to Fresno State, its alumni, friends and citizens of the San Joaquin Valley. Its mission is to promote education through student-athlete scholarships and support a comprehensive athletic program consistent with successful Division 1 programs in the nation.
History of the BDF
Highlighted by annual revenue of over $8 million, The Bulldog Foundation can rightfully claim a Number One ranking, among all universities and colleges in America, using volunteers to raise donations. Since 1972, in athletic fund raising for Fresno State, Bulldog Foundation members have contributed over $64 million to scholarships, recruiting and special Athletic Department requests. Bulldog Foundation members have also purchased an additional $43 million in season tickets, and have, since 1980, been the core group in providing another $58 million for Bulldog athletic facility improvements. Since its inception, the Bulldog Foundation has had 110,000 members and has supported nearly 17,000 student-athletes with scholarship assistance. No other collegiate athletic program can claim such marks, as achieved by 260 volunteers, during a five-week, annual spring fund drive.
The Foundation is run by a 70-member Board of Trustees, with eight scheduled meetings a year. Four members of the University staff sit on the Board, plus the University Athletic Department co-signs all Foundation checks, thus guaranteeing Institutional Control as mandated by the NCAA. There are only five paid staff members, and the annual operational costs average under 8% of monies collected. Approximately 98% of all pledges are collected.
The Bulldog Foundation was created in 1933 to help Fresno State and our vital resource of youth become future leaders in family, community, business, government, arts, education and athletics. From 1933 to 1949, the support group was known as the "600 club". In 1950, the decision was made to incorporate as a non-profit fund raising organization and the name chosen was The Bulldog Foundation.
In 1972, the decision was made to hire the first full-time, permanent staff to organize an annual fund drive. Another major change was to offer ticket benefits as part of membership levels. Memberships grew from 843 in 1972 to nearly 5,000 currently. The number of Bulldog men and women scholar-athletes, receiving some portion of scholarship aid, is now over 420. The Bulldog Foundation provides 35% of the University's annual Athletic Department income, covering 100% of scholarship and recruiting requests for all Bulldog teams.
But, it's not just dollars donated that makes The Bulldog Foundation unique and number one. Research shows a high percentage of members also support other University programs besides athletics. All eight academic schools at Fresno State benefit from the fact that students within those schools are there annually, with the help of Bulldog Foundation scholarship monies. Monies donated have also helped initiate nationally recognized student support services in academics, in counseling and treatment and in fifth year and summer school scholarship programs.
Bulldog Foundation members are proud of their accomplishments and want to maintain their national leadership position. The Bulldog Foundation goal is always "to be the best", to be the team behind the teams. Bulldog Foundation members understand the benefits of integrating a high-quality athletic program with a superior academic program, thus allowing scholar-athletes to compete and win, both in the classroom and on the playing field. Bulldog Foundation members intend to continually pursue excellence and not to rest on laurels earned. Bulldog Foundation members, better than anyone else, have backed up these goals of excellence by contributing dollars and effort with awesome Bulldog intensity.
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Fresno State Seat Option History
Donors pay a one-time price for the right to have the seat for ten years. Donors have to purchase a season ticket each year. All seat options are chair backs with arm rests.
Building Football/Soccer Stadium In 1981
5,104 Seat Options Available
100% Were Sold
Revenue Generated - $5,827,000 Major gifts generated over $3 million, but some donors chose to not exercise full number of seat options, for which eligibility was $10,000 per seat. Seats between the 40 yard lines were $1,250. Seats between the 30 and 40 yards lines were $750. Seats between the 20 and 30 yard lines were $500.
Expanding Football/Soccer Stadium In 1991
8,344 Seat Options Available
97% Were Sold
Revenue Generated - $7,755,645 There were three prices offered in each of the three areas in the second option drive: original price to original owners ($1,250, $750, $500), double the original price to first-time seat option donors ($2,500, $1,500, $1,000) and a mid-price for donors who met an involvement formula ($1,750, $1,000, $750).
3rd Ten-Year Period Football/Soccer Stadium Beginning In 2001
8,344 Seat Options Available
99% Sold As Of 5/04
Revenue Generated - $9,364,506 There were three purchase plans offered for 2001-2010: 1. Original owners were offered a 10% discount if paid in full by 1999 (two years early), 2. Original owners could renew at original price and pay over three years, 3. New owners paid 10% higher than the 1991 prices.
Expanding City Owned Basketball Arena In 1984
3,592 Seat Options Available
75% Were Sold
Revenue Generated - $1,167,000 These seat options were all behind baskets, since side-court seats remained in an existing priority point system. The university did not offer a ten-year renewal plan in 1994, when the first seat option period expired, because the plan was to have an on-campus arena, hopefully prior to 2004. Seat option owners were offered a year-by-year option cost to keep the same seat.
Building Baseball Stadium In 1985
3,055 Seat Options Available
95% Were Sold
Revenue Generated - $1,700,000 Three prices in stands ($300, $500, $750). Two prices in box seats ($1,000 & $1,500 ). A student section of 520 seats was assigned after an Associated Students donation of $50,000. The Bulldog Foundation donated $250,000 and was assigned 200 seats for members who didn't own personal seat options, but had membership passes good for baseball.
Renewing Baseball Seat Option In 1995
3,055 Seat Options Available
66% Sold As Of 5/04
Revenue Generated - $1,089,889 Original prices were offered to those renewing for the second ten-year option period, ending 2004. For first time baseball option donors, the cost was $100 more for seats in the stands ($400, $600 & $850) and $200 more for box seats ($1,200 and $1,700). Associated Students and The Bulldog Foundation did not match their original donations given when the stadium was being built in 1985.
Building Softball Stadium In 1996
1,688 Seat Options Available
86% Sold As Of 5/04
Revenue Generated - $1,710,000 One price offered in stands ($600). Two prices offered in box seats ($1,000 & $1,500). 10-year option ends 2005.
Building Save Mart Event Center
1,184 Arena Builders Available at Minimum $15,000
95% Sold As Of 5/04
Revenue Generated - $17,965,000
11,150 Personal Seat Licenses Available From $3,000 to $500
88% Sold As Of 5/04
Revenue Generated - $12,665,000 [Back to Top]
Summary
Since 1981, 10-year options have generated $58 million to:Video: Find out more about the Bulldog Foundation!
- Help build a 30,000 seat football/soccer stadium in 1981.
- Help expand the football/soccer stadium to 40,000 in 1991.
- Help expand the city owned basketball arena from 6,500 to over 10,000 seats in 1984.
- Help build a 3,500 seat baseball stadium in 1985.
- Help build a 1,688 seat softball stadium in 1996.
- Help build a 15,500 seat event center in 2003.
- Help build/improve the weight room, locker rooms, venue lighting and the North Gym.
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Originally Posted by dawgtired
