Matt Andrew, Vice President of University Advancement
The St. Cloud State University Foundation is monitoring and assessing the impact of the University’s decision to reorganize its athletics portfolio and end its football, and men and women’s golf programs.
Over the last several years, total philanthropic support for Huskies Athletics has averaged about $275,000 per year. Support for football has averaged about $30,000 per year with a third of that coming from one donor. Men’s and women’s golf typically would receive gifts of less than $2,000 per year.
The Foundation expects that some donors whose passion was football or golf may end their support for Huskies Athletics. We do also, however, know that the addition of men’s soccer will bring support by new donors who have a passion for soccer, which is a growing national and international sport.
Despite the decision, I believe most donors understand the difficult decision that had to be made to address our Title IX and budgetary challenges and continue to support Huskies Athletics. Specifically, the Foundation continues to receive significant support for the new Halenbeck Strength and Conditioning Center, a total renovation of a space that hasn’t seen a major update since the 1980’s. A recent $100,000 matching gift challenge has spurred additional donor gifts that affirm that Huskies Athletics is poised for future success in its newly configured sports program portfolio.
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While the reorganization of our intercollegiate programs provides savings that puts athletics on a better path towards sustainability it by no means lessens the need for philanthropic support.
Increased support for athletics scholarships and programs, as well as targeted gifts for capital projects will continue to be an integral part of the long term solution to keep Huskies athletics competitive and financially sound.
