The Ole Miss men’s basketball team takes the Pavilion court. Photo by Robert Jordan/Ole Miss Communications
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss Athletics Foundation collected $45.6 million in cash contributions, a new record, from donors in the fiscal year that ended June 30. The annual contributions break the previous high of $35.2 million in cash donations set the previous fiscal year.
Cash giving in the previous two years was $27.4 million in 2014 and $26.0 million in 2013, bringing the total cash contributed in the last four years to $134.2 million.
The Ole Miss Athletics Foundation is composed of members who donate to support Ole Miss athletics programs. Along with the increase in cash donations, the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation has grown as well, now including 17,773 members and counting.
“On behalf of Ole Miss athletics, including our coaches and our talented student-athletes, I would like to thank Rebel Nation for their generous contributions over the past year that set a new standard in fundraising,” Athletics Director Ross Bjork said. “The Ole Miss family continues to grow, and the support allows us to continue giving Rebels the highest quality student-athlete experience.”
The record-breaking year would not have been possible without several outstanding gifts. The foundation recognizes C Spire, FedEx Corp., Dr. Gerald Hollingsworth, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Jordan, the Ole Miss M-Club Alumni Chapter, the Trehern Charitable Foundation, an anonymous member and many others who have made significant contributions.
In November, Hollingsworth made a $25 million commitment to Ole Miss athletics composed of $10 million in current year cash and the remaining $15 million deferred, including an $11 million funded trust as part of an estate plan. This commitment is the single largest gift ever received by the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation.
The initial $10 million of Hollingsworth’s donation is being used to support the north end zone expansion of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, where the playing field already bears his name.
Encompassing Ole Miss Athletics Foundation membership and priority seating donations, annual giving represented $22.2 million (48.7 percent) of the $45.6 million in cash gifts, an increase of $6.6 million from last year.
The Vaught Society received a major increase in cash donations for Ole Miss athletics, up $10.2 million from last year for a total of $18.2 million this fiscal year. The Vaught Society started with 29 original charter members in 2010 and has 388 members who make pledges of $25,000 or greater over the course of five years.
Along with cash donations raised by the Vaught Society, $4 million was donated through Forward Together capital gift agreements.
“Once again, we are amazed by the remarkable generosity of the Ole Miss family,” noted Keith Carter, senior associate athletics director for development and athletics foundation executive director. “We continue to ask our dedicated and passionate supporters each year to provide essential resources in our pursuit of excellence. This year, just like the ones before, they have answered the call.
“On behalf of the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation, we thank you for helping Ole Miss athletics compete and win championships at the highest level.”
Leading the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation to another record-breaking year, Carter was named the 2016 National Association of Athletic Development Directors Fundraiser of the Year.
In addition, the Forward Together campaign has topped $167.5 million in commitments with $30 million in new gifts pledged in the fiscal year. The foundation reached the original campaign goal of $150 million during 2016 and raised the goal to $200 million.
With $32.5 million remaining, the new mark is anticipated to be met by June 2017.
As part of the $200 million Forward Together campaign, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium is receiving major upgrades for the 2016 season. The north end zone bowl has been enclosed to bring the stadium’s capacity to just over 64,000, a new club in the south end zone has been constructed on field level and the playing field has been transformed to a natural grass surface.
New video boards, a new audiovideo system and new lighting are being installed as well. A plaza and letterwinner walk, with a featured bell tower, outside of the north end of the stadium, are planned for finish in late fall.
The football practice fields are also undergoing renovations, including a new artificial turf field, among other additions nearing completion.
The track and field complex resurface and renovations will also be completed soon. The Gillom Sports Center began major construction in early summer to include new weight and training rooms, team meeting rooms, playing courts, locker rooms, offices and other team space for softball, soccer, volleyball and rifle teams, with expected completion in spring 2017.
Oxford-University Stadium will begin undergoing renovations this year with the new Trehern Performance Center for the baseball team and a new club area behind home plate. Athletics will also begin work this fall on an indoor tennis facility that will hold six indoor tennis courts.
Ole Miss athletics officials expressed gratitude to the many donors, ticketholders and fans who enable the university’s projects for student-athletes to be successful.
For more information on the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation and the Forward Together campaign, visit http://www.givetoathletics.com or call the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation at 662-915-7159.