NATCHITOCHES – In 2007-08, the Northwestern State Athletic Association and Demon Victory Fund members, under the direction of Director of Athletics Greg Burke and Executive Director Dr. William Broussard, helped NSU Athletics set several records for attainment, including Select 100 membership and total DVF funds raised, a record for most endowed scholarships established in a year, gifts-in-kind, corporate sponsorships, and licensing royalties.

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So much for resting on their laurels.

In 2008-09, the Athletic Association membership broke almost all of the previous year’s records and established a new benchmark for fundraising by the Board of Directors. According to Broussard, the membership established records in the several areas, including: total funding secured, up over 10 percent from 2007-08; Demon Victory Fund total funding, up over 10 percent from 2007-08; total cash contributions to the NSU Athletic Association; total Athletic Association membership; total Select 100 (donors over $1,000) membership; total gifts in kind, up over 12 percent from 2007-08; total licensing royalties; and Board of Directors fundraising.

Burke said the significant increases in all areas are the result of increased donor education regarding contribution options, increased public relations efforts, and a concerted effort among faithful contributors to maintain the NSU Athletic Department’s continued excellence in athletics, academics, and community service.

“Athletic Association members gave through personal donations and through their businesses at levels that are unprecedented in the history of NSU Athletics. That they have done so in a time where the global economy has undergone such turmoil and the university’s budget has been reduced so substantially is absolutely crucial to the continued growth of the department. With this funding, we are able to provide a first-class NCAA Division I experience to Demon and Lady Demon student-athletes, to the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of NSU, and to the City of Natchitoches,” said Burke.

Broussard was particularly grateful to members of the Athletic Association Board of Directors, who were challenged at the beginning of the year to help raise over $100,000 in support for the Association. In total, the Board of Directors, comprised of 21 volunteers, led by President Donald Horton (Coushatta), who assist with fundraising efforts and recruit new members, attained $186,300 in cash contributions, pledges to the endowed scholarship fund, and corporate sponsorships.

Broussard and director of marketing and promotions Ryan Holloway collaborated to develop an approach to annual fundraising that highlighted key areas of development, starting the DVF annual fund drive in May, VIP Football ticket sales in the summer, October DVF membership drive to coincide with Courtside Basketball sales, and corporate sponsorship renewal and recruitment in the late spring.

“The effect of the rebranding campaign/logo redesign and new website were tremendous in informing current and potential supporters about events that interested them and also in showing appreciation to them for their contributions,” said Holloway.

“On behalf of the NSU Athletic Association and its Board of Directors, I’d like to thank every Athletic Association member for their support of NSU Athletics. I constantly opine about how generous the people of the City of Natchitoches and NSU’s alumni are, and these new records are hard evidence of that testament,” said Broussard.

For more information about making a contribution to the NSU Athletic Association or Demon Victory Fund, please contact Broussard at 318 357-4295 or at broussardw@nsula.edu

Matt Bonnette
NSU Media Relations
http://www.nsudemons.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=204761107&ampB_OEM_ID=20000