April 4, 2018
In advance of the 2018 Spring Game, fans and friends of Spartan Athletics gathered on a rainy day for the department's annual Town Hall. Athletics Director Marie Tuite led a powerful slate of speakers that included University President Dr. Mary A. Papazian, Vice-President for Administration and Finance Charlie Fass, Vice-President for University Advancement Paul Lanning and head football coach Brent Brennan.
Tuite set the tone by outlining several strategic initiatives that will develop new and expand existing revenue streams benefiting over 450 student-athletes and the 20 Division I intercollegiate athletic programs they represent.
In previous years, the Town Hall had been limited to Spartan Foundation donors who met a minimum giving threshold, but with so many new initiatives being introduced, this year's update was open to all supporters of the Gold, White and Blue thirsting for an update on their beloved Spartans.
"I believe it was a very informative presentation for alumni and others who are vested in helping us move our program forward," said Tuite. "This year's program was particularly enlightening with the President and other members of the President's Cabinet sharing their perspective on initiatives and plans to enhance our Athletics Department."
Emphasizing "what's different this time," the Town Hall addressed:
| • The impact of having unprecedented alignment between intercollegiate athletics, the President and President's Cabinet. |
| • The "All In" campaign for Spartan Athletics in support of the Spartan Athletic Center located on the east side of Spartan Stadium approaching $19M in previously contributed gifts, new gifts/pledges and external revenue streams representing over 47% of the $40M project goal. |
| • The physical transformation of South Campus with four new facilities finished or to be completed by next month (Spartan Golf Practice Facility, Soccer Competition Field, Outdoor Tennis Facility and Softball Field). Along with future projects (Spartan Recreation and Aquatics Center, stadium tennis court, beach volleyball courts, baseball facility and outdoor track), the Spartans' training and competition facilities are becoming the envy of rival institutions. |
| • Introduction of a new organizational structure for the Athletics Advancement team and partnership with University Advancement. |
| • Introduction of Shield 365, a priority points-based annual membership program. |
Feedback from those in attendance was exceptional.
"The information presented during the Town Hall demonstrated that Spartan Athletics is primed to improve its situation and become a more successful athletics department and university," said Dave Donahue, current president of The Spartan Foundation Board, the volunteer group dedicated to assisting with raising annual unrestricted funds for SJSU's student-athletes.
The day concluded with a spirited spring football game, but the plan for elevating the Spartans' athletics program is still in the first quarter.
For more information on how you can help the growing group of supporters committed to elevating Spartan Athletics, please contact Josh Thiel, Deputy AD for Advancement (joshua.thiel@sjsu.edu or (408) 924-1697.