2008 Scholarship Fund Drive Off To Flying Start
The 2008 Spartan Foundation Scholarship Fund Drive is off and running.
The 2008 Spartan Foundation Scholarship Drive is off and running to a great start with over $327,000 collected in pledges in just the first few weeks! The Annual Scholarship Fund Drive is the single most important source for student-athlete scholarship funding.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>
Wednesday night, in the Gold Room of the <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>SimpkinsStadiumCenter complex, Spartan Foundation President Sharon Wills welcomed a loyal group of Fund Drive workers for the second meeting of the current campaign. Along with the assembled group of Spartan loyalists were gymnastics coach Wayne Wright and two outstanding student-athletes from his team: Jessica Khoshnood and Renae Moneymaker two recipients of scholarship assistance from the Spartan Foundation. Coach Wright, Jessica and Renae are building their own Culture of Champions with a fantastic 2008 season that sees them primed for an NCAA Regional appearance.
Spartan Foundation Executive Director, Ken McDonald, announced the recently upgraded Spartan Foundation segment of www.sjsuspartans.com. Under the menu tab “Giving”, Spartan Foundation donors will be able to choose from an array of updated information as well as to soon have the ability to click an online giving link and for the first time make online donations directly to Spartan Athletics.
McDonald next presented a summary of the Fund Drive results to date. While still a long way from the $3 million goal, McDonald pointed out that this great start of over $327,000 coupled with the 14-weeks still left in the Fund Drive, bodes well for reaching the end goal. McDonald, and Director of Athletics Tom Bowen, singled out volunteers Ron Duval, Pete Silva and Mike Ryan for their superb start in netting pledges. Mr. Duval and Mr. Silva combined for a total of 87 pledges while Mr. Ryan was recognized for his efforts that have resulted in over $20,000 in pledges. The “Star of the Night”, however, went to Mr. Silva who, in under a month, has collected over $55,000 in pledges!
Way to go Pete!
In appreciation of their contributions, each of these gentlemen received an entry ticket (Mr. Silva received two) into the Grand Prize Drawing (to be held at the conclusion of the Drive in July) for a trip for two with the Spartan Football team to Nebraska! Note to all Drive Workers: the slate has been wiped clean for the month. These guys have set the bar so you know the kind of numbers that will get you a ticket to the Big Draw!
Noting the enthusiastic turnout for the Drive Dinner Meeting, Bowen thanked the Drive Workers in attendance and rewarded each with sideline passes to the Spartan Football Homecoming game against UtahState! Addressing the group and sending a message to those Drive Workers unable to attend Bowen added: “Show up and you will be rewarded!”
Smiling all the way to the sidelines will be:
Steve Gossett
Mike and Karen Ryan
Lefty Conover
Rick McCliman
Stan and Marilyn Gadway
Marty Selznick
Tom Colla
Jim Basso
Ron Duval
Luke Levers and Pat Smith
Lex and Joyce Corrales
Ron Mason
Dave Donahue
Kathy Boch
Donna Rooney
Gayle Kludt
Susie Wilson
Pete Silva
The next Fund Drive Dinner Meeting will be held April 23rd again in the Gold Room at the SimpkinsStadiumCenter. As an added incentive for Drive Workers to attend, the meeting will convene an hour earlier at 5:00 p.m. and feature “ballpark fare”. Each attendee will receive a ticket to that night’s Spartan baseball game at Municipal Stadium against Hawai’i-Hilo! We’ll conclude our business just before 6:00 p.m. and then root the Spartans on to another victory!
Remember: the Annual Scholarship Fund Drive is THE single most important source for student-athlete scholarship funding. When a Drive Worker calls, say “Yes!” and join the team behind the team!