The University of Mississippi Athletics
Forward Together Increases Momentum
8/30/2012 | UMAAF
Aug. 30, 2012
OXFORD, Miss. - The UMAA Foundation and Ole Miss Athletics are excited to announce that the Forward Together Campaign has reached $75 million in total gifts under a broad-based approach in the last six months. This total puts the Forward Together Campaign half way to the overall goal of $150 million.
Since the last update in February, the Forward Together Campaign has raised $15 million in new pledges and gifts. That new total includes an anonymous donation of $3.7 million, which is the largest gift in the history of the Ole Miss Athletics Department by a single individual or organization.
Additionally, significant commitments include $2.5 million from FedEx, $1 million from the Lloyd Family and $500,000 from Ben and Hillary Craddock. Earlier this month, the M-Club Chapter of the Alumni Association announced a $1 million donation at its annual M-Club Weekend festivities.
A tremendous amount of support from the Ole Miss faithful has poured in since the initiative began a year ago with 2,471 donors generously investing through capital gift agreements, individual donations and outright gifts to the campaign. Gifts have ranged from $10 to the $3.7 million mentioned above.
"We are very excited about the recent progress in the campaign," said Keith Carter, Executive Director of the UMAA Foundation. "Our donors continue to step up and take ownership of Ole Miss Athletics, and for this, we are truly thankful. We look forward to continuing the momentum we have built and reaching all of our collective goals."
Currently, additional contributions are being sought to push the construction of a new arena into the design phase. Fans are encouraged to help continue the momentum towards breaking ground in 2013.
"Our message has been and continues to be that all of Rebel Nation can support Ole Miss Athletics, and the evidence is strong with nearly 2,500 donors contributing anywhere from $10 to the gifts we announce today," said Athletics Director Ross Bjork. "We cannot thank the Ole Miss family enough for what has occurred to date. However, there is still work to be done in order to reach our goals. We have very high expectations here at Ole Miss and we are asking everyone to contribute to this vision."
In addition to the arena, plans are being finalized to make improvements to the Indoor Practice Facility beginning in early 2013. These improvements include a new campus dining facility and sports nutrition center, team meeting room and other changes designed to assist in recruiting and supporting Ole Miss student-athletes at the highest level.
Phase Two of the Forward Together Campaign will include plans to address the north end zone of Vaught Hemingway Stadium and make improvements to the Gillom Center, which houses soccer, softball, volleyball, rifle and the spirit groups.
Fans can make their contribution to the Forward Together Campaign by contacting the UMAA Foundation at 662-915-7159 or by going to the website www.forwardtogetherrebels.com.
