Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami University Athletics Announces Revitalized Red & White Club
2/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | General
Feb. 23, 2009
OXFORD, Ohio--Details about the new and improved Red & White Club--the official membership organization that supports Miami University Athletics' annual scholarship needs--were announced today (February 23) by Director of Athletics Brad Bates.
The moves, endorsed by the Athletic Development Office and the Red & White Club (RWC) Board of Directors, are being made to increase annual giving efforts to athletics to help offset increasing scholarship expenses - which have exceeded $5 million each of the last two years and continue to rise.
"We are excited to unveil our enhanced annual giving program," Bates said. "In analyzing our department, we believe the Red & White Club can help provide us with greater resources for scholarship assistance and have a significant impact on our student-athletes. In addition, our updated benefits and our new Loyalty Points program will provide us with a platform that puts us on the stage with our conference counterparts but also with national competitors who have had similar programs for years. We firmly believe a concerted, successful annual fundraising effort will help us enhance our `Culture of Champions' strategic plan by providing greatly needed resources to develop our students into global leaders of tomorrow."
All RWC gifts will continue to support annual scholarship costs via the Red & White Club Scholarship Fund. While not a change from the last three years, the Athletic Development Office wants to increase awareness about what RWC gifts fund. Donors can still earmark RWC donations for a specific sport's scholarship and have it count toward their membership. They may also give to a specific sport's operating fund, named scholarships and/or capital improvement projects. However, these gifts are considered restricted in nature and will not count toward active RWC membership.
In addition to the focus on annual scholarship needs, the RWC will move from an anniversary-based system to a fiscal year calendar (July 1-June 30). This will help provide a specific annual calendar and timeframe for support for all members each year. It will also allow the Athletic Department to provide benefits based on a more specific window of time. While donors will receive quarterly giving statements, they may still contribute at any point in time during each fiscal year to remain or become an active RWC member.
"While we have experienced fundraising success in our current For Love and Honor fundraising campaign, we believe modifications are necessary for the future growth of annual giving in athletics," said Bates. "Over the years, our annual givers have been incredibly loyal to intercollegiate athletics. Our goals in revitalizing the Red & White Club include extending our donor base and putting in place a system that our fans, regardless of location, can invest in on an annual basis that will stand the test of time. Every gift can make a difference and we need to encourage more individuals to join the efforts of the Red & White Club."
One of the Club's most unique features is the creation of a Loyalty Points program that ensures that Miami fans and supporters will be properly acknowledged for their longstanding support of RedHawk athletics. Loyalty Points will be awarded a variety of ways, including, for gifts to Miami Athletics, for purchasing season tickets to Miami Athletics, and, for consecutive years of membership in the Red & White Club. Loyalty points will provide a mechanism to help the Club fairly administer the distribution of benefits for its members. Only active RWC members (i.e. members who have donated during the fiscal year) will be able to utilize their Loyalty Points.
Active membership to the RWC varies from level to level, but begins at only $100 per year - with the exception of young alumni who can join for as little as $50 annually. All gifts go directly into the Red & White Scholarship Fund, which annually provides scholarship assistance to varsity sports programs at Miami, support deserving young student-athletes with educational and developmental opportunities.
All changes will take effect July 1, 2009, with implementation of the Loyalty Points program scheduled for the fall of 2010.
The Athletic Development Office is intent in creating greater customer service for donors and will host several informational meetings with the public in Oxford, Cincinnati and Dayton in the coming months. Dates and locations will be distributed via mail and e-mail in the coming weeks. In addition, the Athletic Development Office will host a live online chat on www.MURedHawks.com to answer the public's questions in the coming weeks.
Gifts to the Red & White Club are also gifts made toward the Miami University Campaign For Love and Honor. This $500 million comprehensive campaign is scheduled to conclude in 2010. Foremost among the campaign objectives is building the endowment to further support students and faculty/staff. Miami Athletics is responsible for raising $50 million that will provide vital support for student-athlete scholarships, capital improvement projects, and, essential resources to push all of its varsity sports programs forward.
For additional information about the Red & White Club, For Love and Honor or questions, please contact the Athletic Development Office (513) 529-8097 or RWClub@muohio.edu or visit www.MURedHawks.com.
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