Long Beach State Announces Legacy Initative for Athletics
Spurred by Dr. Mike and Arline Walter's Gift, LBSU Receiving $2.35 Million
December 13, 2004
The Long Beach State Department of Athletics has recently received commitments totaling $2.35 million, including the four largest gifts in the program's history, which will be used to launch a five-year "Legacy Initiative for Athletics." The Legacy Initiative will seek to generate an additional $1 million new dollars for the program in the areas of capital improvement and sports operating budgets. Additionally, the initiative will encourage donors to "leave their legacy" by endowing scholarships to LBSU Athletics through estate gifts.
The gifts were spurred on by the $2.1 million gift to the university by Dr. Mike and Arline Walter. One million dollars is ear-marked for the university's "Edge of Excellence" campaign for academic enhancement, while $1.1 million will go to Athletics. In recognition of their generous gift, the university will recommend to the California State University Board of Trustees that The Pyramid be named in their honor in perpetuity. The other gifts received came from Glen and Debbie Bickerstaff; Mick and Louise Ukleja; Mark and Janice Dickson, Dick and Joan Vind and Rocky and Julie Suares and Perry Moore.
"It is particularly gratifying because it indicates that some of the most knowledgeable and influential people in the area believe in the vision of our athletic program," said Executive Director of Athletics Bill Shumard in announcing the launching of the Legacy Initiative. "Our society seems to value instant gratification and perhaps unrealistic goals, while we have always been committed to doing things the right way with patience. The commitment of the four largest gifts in our history certainly indicates there is a great level of confidence in what our program stands for. Additionally, each of the six families who made donations are also generous contributors to academic programs on campus."
Shumard's first priority in the Legacy Initiative is to make much needed improvements, enhancements and refurbishments to Athletics facilities. Plans are already underway to greatly expand both the Center for Student-Athlete Academic Services and the 49er Athletics Strength and Conditioning Complex. Approximate square footage will more than double the current space for each of these facilities, which provide academic and physical support to LBSU's 300 student-athletes in the 18-varsity sports.
Five sports venues on the 49ers' campus, accommodating teams in men's and women's water polo; men's and women's track and field; women's softball; women's tennis and women's soccer, will benefit by the addition of new seating and scoreboards under the Legacy Initiative. In addition, The Walter Pyramid, which recently celebrated is 10th anniversary, will receive new scoreboards; new scorer's tables and platinum row seating; a refurbishing of the Ukleja Family Hall of Fame; and the addition of a proposed "Legacy Walk" on the concourse level of the building that will feature LBSU's impressive athletic tradition.
And finally, the initiative will provide funding to assist in the completion of the new administration and coaches' offices located immediately south of The Walter Pyramid, which will be completed in July of 2005.
Shumard also plans to use the Legacy Initiative to call attention to recent cutbacks in Athletics funding due to state budget shortfalls and increased tuition and fees for student-athletes. And the opportunity to endow scholarships in estate planning will ease the burden of funding scholarships in future generations.
"Our coaches have done a tremendous job of keeping their programs competitive during the state's financial crunch," said Shumard, who has led the department for 10 years and is a 1972 graduate of the institution. "Even though we still remain the highest-funded program in the Big West Conference, our teams and support areas have lost more than $100,000 of support these past few years. The Legacy Initiative will call attention to our need by helping us to increase individual and corporate giving, as well as ensuring success to future 49er student-athletes. This is truly an opportunity to leave our own legacy to a great program."
Under Shumard's leadership, the 49er athletic program has increasingly developed its competitive niche as an NCAA Division 1-AAA institution in a highly competitive marketplace. Last year, seven of the program's 18 teams were nationally ranked and six 49er student-athletes received first-team All-America honors. The 49ers finished second in the Big West Conference for the third consecutive year in the Commissioner's Cup standings for overall athletic excellence among the 10 members. Additionally, LBSU ranked 92nd among 330 NCAA Division I institutions in the Director's Cup competition. Notably, the annual operating budgets for the top 100 institutions averaged approximately $20 million last year, while LBSU's operating budget was in the $9 million range.
"We are blessed with a beautiful campus in a great location in the middle of a recruiting hotbed," said Shumard, "and thanks to President Robert Maxson, the academic image of the institution continues to grow. These factors help make up for our limited resources, which are obviously used very efficiently."
Over the past 10 years, the Department of Athletics has averaged approximately $1.5 million in external revenue streams that include ticket sales, corporate sponsorships, fundraising and donations, and special events.
Academics have also been a strong priority under Shumard's decade-long tenure. Graduation rates for student-athletes have risen from 17% to a record 53%. This year's 53% was 11% higher than the graduation rate of the overall student body, and higher than UCLA's student-athlete rate.
"Our first goal is in step with that of the university's," said Shumard. "We are here, first and foremost, to educate and graduate students who happen to be athletes. I couldn't be prouder of Gayle Fenton (Director of CSAS) and her staff, along with our 12 head coaches. They are truly teachers, mentors and tremendous colleagues. They are the reason for our success." |
