Dear Friend of William & Mary Athletics,
As we quickly approach the end of the calendar year, it's a good opportunity to review our fiscal year to underscore how important it is for the Tribe to achieve financial sustainability.
Last year, our community came together in an unprecedented way to support W&M Athletics, with $7.2 million in expendable gifts in FY21. The amount of total expendable funds raised was the highest since 2010 and the 7,262 donor total was the second-highest in a decade. It is a great achievement worthy of celebration and each of our 500 student-athletes and every coach and staff member joins me in thanking all of you!
This year, we are asking our community to support us in another example of extraordinary generosity. Marc Elim, chair of the W&M Athletic Foundation (WMAF) board, who beyond his official title is one of the greatest and most enthusiastic Tribe supporters, worked with me to determine the best approach to this year's fundraising goals for each sport. WMAF's ongoing input and support will continue to be invaluable as we undertake this critical endeavor. In fact, as chair, Marc did me the honor of co-signing this message.
We also leaned on the important work that Jeremy Martin did as Interim Director of Athletics. As you recall, in his report to President Katherine A. Rowe last November, he charted individual team fundraising goals for FY21 and FY22 and emphasized the importance of Athletics being self-supporting.
The most important points about our FY22 goals:
· Each team will need to raise $7,500 per student-athlete, plus 5% based on a roster size defined by a three-year rolling average.
· Funds raised above each team's goal can be rolled forward into FY23 or, in consultation with the AD, used by a coach toward a one-time purchase in FY22.
· The All In campaign is a critical component of the fiscal health of Athletics. Ongoing results for the three-year campaign are at https://tribeathletics.com/feature/allin
· Our sport fundraising goals reflect the minimum dollars ($5.2 million) needed to support our programs as outlined in the FY22 Athletics budget.
· The goals for each sport for FY22 and the final goals for FY21 are below our signatures.
As we discussed with the coaches in a meeting yesterday, the minimum dollars are a baseline that allow us to continue operations, to stay viable as a Division I athletics program. The question to ask ourselves is whether that is sufficient?
Last year was a lean year in Athletics. Some of it due to the pandemic and its effects on fundraising, but we were also forced to trim dollars from travel and equipment budgets, plus enact other belt-tightening measures.
We've seen the effects on our programs and we aspire to support them in a more robust way. We want excellence from top to bottom in every program, and that standard of measure extends far beyond wins and losses. We owe our student-athletes the best possible academic and athletic experience. In order for our student-athletes to reach their full potential, we must do what we can to ensure that excellence, not existence, is our standard.
Jeremy Martin, in one of his last messages as Interim Athletics Director, said "I hope William & Mary will never mistake existence for excellence in the experience we provide our student-athletes."
I couldn't agree more and he so espouses the values and pride of the Tribe community.
Last year, our friends and supporters rallied to show their support for their school and their teams by donating in extraordinary numbers and we are asking you to demonstrate a similar commitment this year. Thanks to you we have established a stronger foundation for the future and everyone who loves William & Mary deeply appreciates all you have done.
Go Tribe!
Brian D. Mann Marc K. Elim
Director of Athletics Chair, W&M Athletic Foundation Board
