Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/876470
4 CAVALIER CORNER 2017 BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS President William L. Tyson, Richmond, Va. Vice President Alan A. McClure, Atlanta, Ga. Secretary-Treasurer Dirk P. Katstra, Charlottesville, Va. Immediate Past President Scott A. Dockter, Atlanta, Ga. Trustees Mia M. Bass, Alexandria, Va. Charles R. Birdsong, Suffolk, Va. Richard L. Booth Jr., Charlottesville, Va. Franklin S. Edmonds Jr., Charlottesville, Va. James T. Fang, Williamsburg, Va. G. Slaughter Fitz-Hugh III, Richmond, Va. W. Heywood Fralin, Roanoke, Va. Edmund F. Garno III, Haverford, Pa. Michael S. Geismar, Charlottesville, Va. Marvin W. Gilliam Jr., Bristol, Va. Gregory S. Ledford, Washington, D.C. Craig K. Littlepage, Charlottesville, Va. Mark M. Luellen, Charlottesville, Va. Douglas S. Luke Jr., New York, N.Y. T. Douglas McQuade, Roanoke, Va. Juliana Schulte O'Reilly, McLean, Va. Barry L. Parkhill, Keswick, Va. Cynthia Brinker Simmons, Dallas, Texas Anne Carter Smith, Charlotte, N.C. Mission Statement The Virginia Athletics Foundation, through its fundraising efforts, strives to support a preeminent intercollegiate athletics program at the University of Virginia by providing student- athletes the opportunity to achieve academic and athletic excellence. Virginia Athletics Foundation P.O. Box 400833 Charlottesville, VA 22904-4833 (434) 982-5555 | (800) 626-8723 (434) 982-5025 FAX www.VirginiaAthleticsFoundation.com Dear Cavalier Fans, We have entered the fourth quarter of our fundraising year and are working hard to have a strong finish to the year. Our focus for the remaining months will be in the following areas. Annual Fund Throughout the year we have been tracking slightly ahead of last year in the total amount raised month by month. With the increase in tuition over the past several years, our staff has been significantly focused on growing the Annual Fund total as well as the donor base. We will need to build our donor base at all giving levels in order to reach our goals in the future. Unfortunately, the number of donors has not been growing as quickly as needed and, in fact, is tracking below last year. In comparison to our peers in the ACC, we are in the middle of the rankings in this category. Endowment We are currently working on a University initiative that provides matching funds for new endowed scholarships. The Bicentennial Scholars Fund is an across Grounds initiative that matches donors' gifts when new endowed scholarships are created with a dollar-for-dollar match on gifts of $1 million or more and fifty cents on the dollar match for all gifts under $1 million. So far this year, we have had five donors create endowed scholarships qualifying for Bicentennial Scholars Fund matching—two at the $1 million level and three under $1 million. Once these pledges are paid and the matching funds are added, the total value of new endowments will exceed $5.5 million. This type of generosity is critical to relieving some of the pressure on the Annual Fund. Davenport Field Expansion The construction for the Davenport Field expansion is in full swing. It is amazing to see the progress being made. Our staff is working hard with Head Coach Brian O'Connor to finish the fundraising. Gifts of all sizes are critical as we strive to reach our initial fundraising target of $12.66 million. The details for qualifying for Field Level Club seats will be released this fall. The ticket office will begin the seating process for the new seats down the right field line, which will be ready for the 2018 season. Golf Practice Facility at Birdwood Golf Course Fundraising is ongoing to complete the funding for the UVA Golf Facility, with an initial target of $8.7 million (including the operating endowment). This will create a true home for Virginia Men's and Women's Golf. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall and there are still naming opportunities available for donors who are inter- ested in supporting this project. For a full description of all capital projects, please visit our website at VirginiaAth- leticsFoundation.com. Lastly, I had the pleasure of spending time with Malcolm Brogdon during his re- cent visit to Charlottesville when he was recognized for his NBA Rookie of the Year award at the football game versus William and Mary. He is truly a remarkable repre- sentative of the many student-athletes who are the direct beneficiaries of donor sup- port. I watched as fan after fan waited in line to talk with him, take a picture and get an autograph. He interacted with each person as if they were the only person around. He talked fondly of his experience at UVA and humbly about his accomplishments in Milwaukee. I hope all of our donors take great pride in supporting his experience as a Cavalier and how he represents the University in his professional life. Best regards, Dirk P. Katstra Executive Director Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/VirginiaAthleticsFoundation