ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – It was a record-setting year in fund-raising for UCF Athletics. The Knights have received more than $10 million in cash gift revenues from fund-raising in the 2016-17 fiscal year and strive to reach $10.5 million by the end of June.
"Our goal is to become a Top 25 intercollegiate athletics program and fund-raising is a critical part of that," UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics Danny White said. "Our development team has done a remarkable job, while our fans and supporters have stepped up in a big-time way and supported the Golden Knights Club and our Rise & Conquer Initiative. Thank you to all the amazing people who have bought in and are helping us achieve our vision."
In addition to the $10 million in cash and pledge payments received, the Knights have also secured more than $17 million in pledged gift commitments for 2016-2017 another milestone for the athletics department, including significant multi-year pledges of:
- $5 million from Kenneth G. Dixon for Kenneth G. Dixon Athletics Village,
- $1.5 million from John Euliano for expansion of the baseball stadium, John Euliano Park,
- $1 million from Robert Garvy to build the Garvy Center for Student-Athlete Nutrition and
- More than $2 million in commitments to build the new football operations expansion/athletics headquarters building.
Additional funds have also been generated through GKC priority seating programs and sport-specific initiatives.
In an effort to attract and retain championship-caliber coaches and student-athletes, the Knights remain focused on a $25 million facilities development campaign to build and enhance athletics facilities. Forty percent of the $25M goal has already been committed toward this campaign.