July 17, 2006
ORLANDO - In keeping with UCF's year of great accomplishments in athletics, strides were also made off the field as the Golden Knights Club, the scholarship fundraising arm of UCF athletics, recently completed a record fiscal year for annual giving. The figure of $2.1 million represents a 47 percent increase from just a year ago and a 300 percent increase since the year 2000.
"UCF fans should take great pride in the tremendous growth in the scholarship donations to the Golden Knights Club in 2006," GKC executive director Todd Reeser said. "The rapid growth curve continues the trend of GKC expansion, and is a clear indication that our donor base is committed to investing in UCF student-athletes, as well as the exciting future ahead for all Golden Knight teams."
In addition to amount of contributions received, the donor base grew as well. A record number of contributors, up 35 percent from the previous year, gave gifts to the Golden Knights Club in the fiscal year ending June 30.
"The donors to the Golden Knights Club are to be commended for their generous support of UCF," Director of Athletics Keith R. Tribble said. "Central to our mission is the goal of educating and graduating our student-athletes and these scholarship contributions are vital in helping us provide a quality college experience for more than 500 student-athletes."
The total costs for scholarships for UCF's student-athletes will be more than $4.5 million in the current fiscal year and represents one of the largest items in the operating budget for the UCF Athletics Association.
"Our growth has been fueled by exciting new donor support among season ticket holders, as well as consistent increases from renewal donors," Reeser added. "Our intent is to continue that trend of growth with the ultimate goal of covering costs for all athletics scholarships at UCF."
When combined with capital gifts, donations for projects such as construction of the on-campus football stadium, overall giving to UCF athletics in the 2005-06 fiscal year was nearly $3.2 million.