NCCU Athletics Announces New Eagle Club as Official Booster Organization
Durham, NC, July 03, 2009 --(PR.com)-- In anticipation of its NCAA Division I reclassification, the North Carolina Central University athletics department proudly announces the unification of all athletic booster clubs into one focused organization – the Eagle Club.
The newly-formed organization is built on a strong foundation of athletic support, commitment and giving developed by the more than half-dozen university team-based booster clubs. The Eagle Club, named for the university’s mascot and a legacy booster organization, combines the loyalty and tradition developed by the supporters who laid the groundwork for this valuable and comprehensive organization.
NCCU Chancellor Charlie Nelms said, “I am confident that streamlining the booster club will have a positive impact on scholarship dollars, which is ever more important in these economic times.”
The new Eagle Club has set its sights on raising $400,000 to help fund NCCU’s athletic scholarship needs for 2009-10.
“We are thrilled about the Eagle Club and the promise it provides our program,” said Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree, NCCU director of athletics. “The merged booster club combines the efforts of our most dedicated athletic supporters. Our supporters are a tremendous asset, allowing our program to offer scholarships to the most talented student-athletes and provide them and our constituents with excellent athletic experiences.”
As part of Division I reclassification, schools are required to undergo a review process administered by the NCAA, who encouraged the Eagles to provide more structure to their fundraising model. This includes a united booster club, which better utilizes the human and financial resources of the athletics program as a whole.
A 20-member organizing committee with representatives from the university, athletics department and individual booster clubs led the effort to research, promote and plan the Eagle Club throughout the unification process.
“The committee representatives have devoted countless hours to the Eagle Club while keeping the best interests of our student-athletes and the university in mind,” said John Smith, executive director, legacy Eagle Club. “I support the merger of NCCU booster clubs. It presents a united front to potential members and provides focus for our organization.”
More details about the new Eagle Club will be available at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.
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Fact Sheet: NCCU Eagle Club
North Carolina Central University continues to grow as an academic and athletic institution with the promotion and reclassification of the university’s athletic department to NCAA Division I. The official athletic booster organization, the Eagle Club, serves to support the university’s student-athletes through scholarships and fundraising, ensuring the scholarship needs of the athletic department are met.
Eagle Club
° The Eagle Club better utilizes the human and financial resources of the athletic program, enabling increased fundraising and scholarship support offered to student-athletes.
° Named for the university’s mascot, the Eagle.
° Initial Board of Directors consists of 25 appointed members from the university, athletics department, previous booster organizations, alumni and the community to ensure diversity and equal representation for all sports.
° Future Board of Directors will be elected by the membership.
° Prior to uniting, individual sports team-based booster clubs were independent from each other in leadership, fundraising and expenditure.
Eagle Club Goals and Expected Benefits
NCCU Eagle Club Organizing Committee
° 20 members, including the athletic director and representatives from individual team-based booster clubs.
° Meetings began in December 2008.
° Researched the logistics and needs of a unified booster organization to ensure the needs of all student-athletes and sports programs are met.
° Developed Eagle Club organizational by-laws, operational and marketing plans, a membership benefits package and a priority points system for receipt of benefits.
NCAA Division I Reclassification
° November 2005: NCCU Board of Trustees voted to apply for reclassification to NCAA Division I (Championship Subdivision) from NCAA Division II.
° NCAA Division I application and review process determined the athletic department fundraising model needed improvement to meet the needs of the Championship Subdivision level.
° NCAA suggested a comprehensive and unified athletic booster club to better utilize human and financial resources.
NCCU Athletic Overview
° National Affiliation: NCAA Division I, Football Championship Subdivision, reclassification due for completion for 2011-2012 athletic season.
° Conference: Independent, application to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) pending.
° Men's intercollegiate teams: football, basketball, indoor and outdoor track & field, tennis, baseball, golf and cross country.
° Women's intercollegiate teams: basketball, volleyball, indoor and outdoor track & field, tennis, softball, bowling and cross country.
° Athletics Director: Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree.
For more information, please visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com.
The newly-formed organization is built on a strong foundation of athletic support, commitment and giving developed by the more than half-dozen university team-based booster clubs. The Eagle Club, named for the university’s mascot and a legacy booster organization, combines the loyalty and tradition developed by the supporters who laid the groundwork for this valuable and comprehensive organization.
NCCU Chancellor Charlie Nelms said, “I am confident that streamlining the booster club will have a positive impact on scholarship dollars, which is ever more important in these economic times.”
The new Eagle Club has set its sights on raising $400,000 to help fund NCCU’s athletic scholarship needs for 2009-10.
“We are thrilled about the Eagle Club and the promise it provides our program,” said Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree, NCCU director of athletics. “The merged booster club combines the efforts of our most dedicated athletic supporters. Our supporters are a tremendous asset, allowing our program to offer scholarships to the most talented student-athletes and provide them and our constituents with excellent athletic experiences.”
As part of Division I reclassification, schools are required to undergo a review process administered by the NCAA, who encouraged the Eagles to provide more structure to their fundraising model. This includes a united booster club, which better utilizes the human and financial resources of the athletics program as a whole.
A 20-member organizing committee with representatives from the university, athletics department and individual booster clubs led the effort to research, promote and plan the Eagle Club throughout the unification process.
“The committee representatives have devoted countless hours to the Eagle Club while keeping the best interests of our student-athletes and the university in mind,” said John Smith, executive director, legacy Eagle Club. “I support the merger of NCCU booster clubs. It presents a united front to potential members and provides focus for our organization.”
More details about the new Eagle Club will be available at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.
###
Fact Sheet: NCCU Eagle Club
North Carolina Central University continues to grow as an academic and athletic institution with the promotion and reclassification of the university’s athletic department to NCAA Division I. The official athletic booster organization, the Eagle Club, serves to support the university’s student-athletes through scholarships and fundraising, ensuring the scholarship needs of the athletic department are met.
Eagle Club
° The Eagle Club better utilizes the human and financial resources of the athletic program, enabling increased fundraising and scholarship support offered to student-athletes.
° Named for the university’s mascot, the Eagle.
° Initial Board of Directors consists of 25 appointed members from the university, athletics department, previous booster organizations, alumni and the community to ensure diversity and equal representation for all sports.
° Future Board of Directors will be elected by the membership.
° Prior to uniting, individual sports team-based booster clubs were independent from each other in leadership, fundraising and expenditure.
Eagle Club Goals and Expected Benefits
NCCU Eagle Club Organizing Committee
° 20 members, including the athletic director and representatives from individual team-based booster clubs.
° Meetings began in December 2008.
° Researched the logistics and needs of a unified booster organization to ensure the needs of all student-athletes and sports programs are met.
° Developed Eagle Club organizational by-laws, operational and marketing plans, a membership benefits package and a priority points system for receipt of benefits.
NCAA Division I Reclassification
° November 2005: NCCU Board of Trustees voted to apply for reclassification to NCAA Division I (Championship Subdivision) from NCAA Division II.
° NCAA Division I application and review process determined the athletic department fundraising model needed improvement to meet the needs of the Championship Subdivision level.
° NCAA suggested a comprehensive and unified athletic booster club to better utilize human and financial resources.
NCCU Athletic Overview
° National Affiliation: NCAA Division I, Football Championship Subdivision, reclassification due for completion for 2011-2012 athletic season.
° Conference: Independent, application to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) pending.
° Men's intercollegiate teams: football, basketball, indoor and outdoor track & field, tennis, baseball, golf and cross country.
° Women's intercollegiate teams: basketball, volleyball, indoor and outdoor track & field, tennis, softball, bowling and cross country.
° Athletics Director: Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree.
For more information, please visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com.
Contact
North Carolina Central University Department of Athletics
Kyle Serba
919-530-7054
www.NCCUEaglePride.com
Kyle Serba
919-530-7054
www.NCCUEaglePride.com
Contact
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