The University of Mississippi Athletics
UMAA Foundation Breaks Fundraising Record In 2010
8/2/2010 | UMAAF
July 21, 2010
OXFORD, Miss. - The success of a collegiate athletics department depends largely on the support of private donations, and the 2009-10 season was among the best in Ole Miss Athletics history for good reason.
The UMAA Foundation raised $17.1 million during the 2010 fiscal year (July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010), which is the highest fundraising total in the history of Rebel Athletics.
"The success in our sports programs can be directly attributed to the support of our donors," said Ole Miss Athletics Director Pete Boone. "They give us the ability to provide our coaches and student-athletes with the support needed to compete in the SEC. Danny White and his staff have done a remarkable job in a difficult economic environment."
Under White's leadership as its executive director, the UMAA Foundation surpassed its fundraising total of $16.0 million from fiscal year 2009, which had been the record before this year.
"Our staff is incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to work with such an overwhelming display of generosity throughout the UMAA Foundation membership - many sincere thanks to all of the donors that are responsible for this record-breaking year," White said. "To be sure, this is an exciting time for Ole Miss Athletics, and our expectation is to keep this positive momentum going over the next several years as we continue to find new members and increase revenue. Due to the tremendous successes of our talented student-athletes, the time is now for Rebel Athletics to make a significant leap within the Southeastern Conference and on the national stage. The continued growth of the UMAA Foundation, both in membership and overall revenue, will be vital to that charge."
Ole Miss sent 11 teams to postseason action in 2009-10, including eight to NCAA Tournament berths, while three squads claimed Southeastern Conference Western Division titles. The Rebel football team captured its second consecutive AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic trophy, while 15 Rebels represented their sports with All-America selections and many more earned all-league and all-region status.
This success would not be possible without the private support of Ole Miss alumni and fans. With record-breaking figures in 2010, the stage is set for even higher achievements in the future.
About the UMAA Foundation
One of the most important aspects of the Ole Miss athletics program is the UMAA Foundation, an agency created to provide supplementary income for use by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. The UMAA Foundation was formerly known as the Ole Miss Loyalty Foundation, which was founded on July 1, 1969.
Through this medium, alumni and friends of the Ole Miss Athletics Department can contribute to the department to aid in financing the high costs of educating student-athletes and improving facilities. Membership is open to all interested persons, and all donations are tax deductible.
The mission of the UMAA Foundation is to aid the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at The University of Mississippi. Such assistance takes the form of providing scholarships for student-athletes, funding for necessary facility improvements, supplements to coaches' salaries and by supporting the department in many other ways necessary to have an outstanding athletics program.
For more information, visit the UMAA Foundation page at OleMissSports.com.
