No year has been like 2010-11 was for the Kent State Golden Flashes in regard to athletic fundraising.
The department set a new university high in the category, recording $4.7 million in total through the calendar year.
“Our passionate constituency understands the private support needed to fund a top tier athletic program,” said associate athletic director and executive director of athletic advancement Matthew R. Geis. “Whether our needs are academic, operational or capital they continue to step up as leaders to help facilitate an outstanding student-athlete experience.”
The number represents a 22-percent increase over the previous fiscal year. The biggest growth came in the athletic-annual fund, which saw a 43-percent jump to $714,836. New pledges were up 21 percent to just over $3 million, while capital and endowment gifts brought in $903,135 — a 13-percent bump.
Numerous projects crucial to Kent State maintaining its place among the top programs both regionally and nationally are looming in the future, including the Dix Stadium locker room facility to benefit the Golden Flashes’ field hockey, women’s soccer, softball and track teams and a potential remodel of the M.A.C. Center.
“Funding challenges are ever present and the importance of cultivating new donors and growing our current support is at the forefront of what we do,” says Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen. “Due to the generous support of our donors, we’re able to continue providing championship experiences for our student-athletes.”
