Arizona State Establishes Permanent Endowment to Support Swimming Programs

TEMPE, Ariz.—Sun Devil Athletics, working in conjunction with the Sun Devil Swim Association (SDSA), is pleased to announce the creation of a permanent endowment for support of the men’s and women’s swimming programs.  The endowment will fulfill scholarship opportunities for Sun Devil student-athletes and serve to reinforce the commitment of the University to the success of swimming programs.

“It is important that Sun Devil Athletics strengthen our commitment not only to the swimming program but strengthen the infrastructure of our academic commitment to our student-athletes,” said Ray Anderson, Vice President for University Athletics. “Nothing is more important than providing and ensuring academic opportunities for our athletes.”

The endowments were created to provide a stable and ongoing funding source for the men’s and women’s swimming programs.  Gifts toward the endowments will be held in perpetuity and invested, where they will have an opportunity to grow through management by the ASU Foundation.  Gains on the investment of gifts will, in turn, be used to fund scholarships for the swimming programs.

“Since 2008, we have had an excellent relationship Sun Devil Athletics and Arizona State University”, said Rob Richardson, founding Board Member of SDSA.  “We appreciate all the financial support and encouragement from former alumni, existing swimmers and their families, and other donors.  We are very proud and excited to take this next step to begin to endow both men’s and women’s scholarships for the swim team.”

The creation of the endowment provides a long-term fundraising option for the swimming program.  Sun Devil Athletics believes switching the focus from funding operational costs to an endowment will not only maximize the use of current gifts, but also create a formal foundation for the financial success of the program rather than having to replenish operational funds on a year-to-year basis.

“Our swimming program is really strong and the creation of the endowments will only help our program grow,” said head coach Dorsey Tierney Walker. “This tremendously strengthens our recruiting efforts and helps future athletes know the University is committed to them being Sun Devils for life. The endowment is an excellent opportunity for our former student athletes and supporters to help us carry on the great tradition and pride of our program.”

The Sun Devil Swim Association (SDSA) was created in June 2008 by swimming alumni to fund the reinstatement of the men’s swimming program at Arizona State.  A 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, the group has raised nearly $1M towards the operational expenses of the men’s swim team.

SDSA has already received a $50,000 matching donation to start the endowment, and has several fundraising events planned for 2014, including: the annual SDSA Golf Tournament at the ASU Karsten Golf Course on April 25th, the 100×100 swimming contest, and a dinner gala on Nov. 7 prior to the Sun Devil football game against Notre Dame in Sun Devil Stadium.

For more information, please contact Tom Collins, Senior Director of Major Gifts for the Sun Devil Club by email at [email protected] or by phone at 480-727-7706.

The above is a press release submitted, unedited, by Arizona State University.