New 'Cuse Athletics Fund Publicly Launches Legends Society

As fundraising efforts continue to be a critical aspect of Syracuse Athletics' reaching new heights, the fundraising team will do so with a new name, the 'Cuse Athletics Fund, and a new philanthropic giving program, the Legends Society.

"It is important that our athletics advancement name and mission be clear and recognizable," said Director of Athletics John Wildhack. "Our efforts to generate resources to support our student-athletes have never been more important, and we believe now is the time to rebrand our approach to fundraising and create an overarching name for supporting Syracuse Athletics."

Founded in 1974, athletics fundraising was first known as the Orange Pack before rebranding itself as the Orange Club in 2006. The new 'Cuse Athletics Fund will align closely with Syracuse University Advancement and External Affairs and continue to serve as the fundraising organization for Syracuse Athletics. The organization is charged annually with generating private resources to support a comprehensive student-athlete experience at Syracuse University. All gifts made to support Syracuse Athletics through the 'Cuse Athletics Fund also support the Forever Orange Campaign, which seeks to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support, inspire 125,000 individual donors to participate in the campaign, and actively engage one in five alumni in the life of the University.

"We depend on our Orange family to help provide the necessary resources to win in the ACC and provide an outstanding student-athlete experience," Wildhack said. "In the changing landscape of college athletics, we need to invest in the ways we recruit, retain, and develop student-athletes, and the 'Cuse Athletics Fund is one of the best vehicles to make this happen."

Annual memberships to the 'Cuse Athletics Fund will remain the same and continue to be associated with priority seating contributions for football and men's basketball season tickets.

The 'Cuse Athletics Fund will feature a newly launched Legends Society, a program which will serve as the exclusive philanthropic giving arm for supporting Syracuse Athletics. Commitments to the Legends Society are above and beyond priority seating contributions and are separate from 'Cuse Athletics Fund annual membership levels. These philanthropic commitments are used to enhance experiences in all 20 sports and benefit more than 600 student-athletes.

"We want to expand the ways in which Syracuse alumni, fans, and families invest in the student-athlete experience," said Senior Associate Athletic Director and Executive Director of Athletics Advancement Michael Paulus. "The Legends Society provides a framework to philanthropically support our programs and, ultimately, enhance the everyday lives and development of our student-athletes,"

Commitments to the Legends Society begin at $25,000 and are fulfilled over a period up to five-years (ex: $5,000 per year). The program encompasses six levels of commitments and extends up to $1 million or more. In recognition of their philanthropic leadership, members of the Legends Society may enjoy unique stewardship experiences and engagement opportunities in alignment with their support. Pledges are used to help recruit, retain, and develop student-athletes by funding capital projects for new or improved facilities, as well as increased operational support through the 'Cuse Athletics Opportunity Fund.

To date, an initial group of 78 donors have joined the Legends Society and generated over $5 million in philanthropic commitments for Syracuse Athletics.

To learn more about the Legends Society and opportunities to impact the Syracuse student-athlete experience, please click here.

Click here for an FAQ to learn more on the new 'Cuse Athletics Fund.

For more information on the 'Cuse Athletics Fund visit give.cuse.com or email the 'Cuse Athletics Fund at CAF@syr.edu.

About Forever Orange: The Campaign for Syracuse University
Orange isn't just our color. It's our promise to leave the world better than we found it. Forever Orange: The Campaign for Syracuse University is poised to do just that. Fueled by 150 years of fearless firsts, together we can enhance academic excellence, transform the student experience and expand unique opportunities for learning and growth. Forever Orange endeavors to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support, inspire 125,000 individual donors to participate in the campaign, and actively engage one in five alumni in the life of the University. Now is the time to show the world what Orange can do. Visit foreverorange.syr.edu to learn more.

Syracuse University Athletics

New 'Cuse Athletics Fund Publicly Launches Legends Society

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