Athletic Endowment Fund

Creighton student-athletes, coaches and staff know it takes more than great skills to become an outstanding competitor. It also takes endurance. The Creighton Athletic Endowment Fund will build endurance into Creighton Athletics, creating a perpetual source of support and generating revenue to sustain athletic scholarships.

Increasing scholarships is a top priority for Creighton University, particularly in the athletic department. A strong Creighton Athletic Endowment Fund cements a long-term commitment that will provide resources necessary to meet our students' educational and athletic goals while remaining competitive in the BIG EAST Conference against our regional rivals.

The athletic department's success provides immeasurable promotional opportunities for Creighton, elevating the University to national audiences and providing exposure it otherwise would not attract. Alumni from eight schools and colleges connect through a common team, and many Bluejay fans first learn about the University's mission and values by following athletics.

In 2014-2015, Creighton Athletics will award 95 athletic scholarships, considerably under the 141 scholarships the NCAA allows for Creighton Athletics' 14 varsity programs. The average annual investment to provide the current 95 scholarships exceeds $4.3 million.

Creighton's current entire athletic endowment stands at approximately $5.2 million, an amount much too modest for a program of our size, status and aspirations. As it stands, the endowment generates $200,000, or enough to fully fund no more than four of our current 95 scholarships.

Additionally, new NCAA legislation requiring member institutions to support student-athletes' total cost of attendance will redefine athletic scholarships. An institution's financial aid office follows federal regulations to calculate the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and other expenses to estimate the total costs for a year.

We ask that you join Creighton in standing beside and supporting our student-athletes by building Creighton's Athletic Endowment. A significant endowment will provide opportunities for student-athletes to achieve academic and athletic success. Your contributions free up Creighton Athletics' unrestricted dollars - generated through Jaybackers, for example - across all varsity sports. When you establish an athletic department endowed fund, you create a permanent investment in Creighton, while bridging the gap between traditional scholarships and the true cost of attendance.

You may choose to establish a new endowment fund or add to an existing endowment and bring Creighton Athletics closer to offering and fully funding 141 scholarships. Commitments of $50,000 or more to the Creighton Athletic Endowment Fund may be paid over five years.

Please contact the Athletic Development Office for Endowment positions and programs: (402) 280-GIVE or AthleticDevelopment@creighton.edu

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