Creighton University Athletic Development

I CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY

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Athletic development

I “ I went into work every day to practice, around people I love.

I felt like it wasn’t just me experiencing it, it was the whole group... the whole University, the whole city of Omaha,

I kind of felt like it was our moment.”

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Doug McDermott, Creighton University Basketball, 2010-2014

I I Creighton’s home for men’s basketball is CenturyLink Center Omaha. Among the amenities are seven locker rooms, five dressing rooms and a media interview room. The Creighton locker room contains secure, wood-paneled lockers and is located just a short walk off the court.

For the 2013-2014 basketball season, Creighton ranked fifth nationally in home average attendance and first in the BIG EAST Conference.

Dear Creighton Fans: Year after year, the inconceivable is conceived and achieved. That’s one of the great values of Creighton athletics – we discover through sports that we can do much more than we thought. Bluejay student-athletes amaze themselves, their teammates and their supporters.

Our winning traditions continue with Creighton’s BIG EAST membership. While maintaining our unique identity, we advance our goal of competing in a national-caliber conference among universities with similar commitments to faith-based missions, academic quality and student-athletes.

The outcomes include Creighton’s growing visibility, reputation and student body. The BIG EAST also elevates our home city in the national consciousness.

Bluejay student-athletes arrive at Creighton prepared for leadership roles on campus and in Omaha. They find here some of the nation’s finest coaches, faculty and facilities and are inspired to give back because of your investments in them.

Operation Bluejay offers 400,000 free Creighton athletic events tickets to kids through the Future Bluejay program.

Our Community Service Initiative unites area youth with

Bluejays, who volunteer more than 3,000 outreach hours annually. In learning to give, Bluejays improve their own and others’ lives. And you are their excellent role models.

You make the magic happen for the Bluejays, and you are the reason we have come this far. Typical of your generosity, many of you have asked what more you can do to build the next generation of champions. In these pages, you will find information about our major gifts program, including the BIG EAST Fund, Athletic Endowment Fund and various initiatives – all vital components to our success. We look forward to helping you structure a gift that expresses your vision for the Bluejays.

Unless someone passes them the ball, star athletes cannot score. Your loyalty to the Bluejay Athletics Program provides the perfect assist so that we may recruit, retain, develop and graduate outstanding student-athletes and lifelong leaders.

Thank you.

Let’s Go Bluejays,

Bruce Rasmussen Athletic Director

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Ashley Jansen HOMETOWN: OMAHA, NEBRASKA POSITION: DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST MAJOR: NURSING

“I love my time here at Creighton! Being a student-athlete has given me the opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime with coaches, teammates and professors who not only encourage my performance on the court and in the classroom, but also provide positive influences on my day-to-day life.”

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The Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center and D.J. Sokol Arena, a 78,134 square-foot facility, houses a gymnasium seating 2,500, women’s basketball and volleyball coaches’ offices, locker rooms, ticket offices, athletic training and meeting rooms, media workrooms and is the competition site for women’s basketball and volleyball.

BIG EAST Fund The new Creighton Athletics BIG EAST Fund represents our proactive response to the Conference’s extraordinary recognition of our athletic program’s excellence. The Fund will provide resources to offset the increase in competition and costs associated with BIG EAST travel, ensuring Creighton Athletics upholds a winning tradition on conference and national stages.

In addition to the financial commitment associated with Creighton’s membership transition, new NCAA and BIG EAST legislation will require that athletic scholarships include stipends covering the true cost of attending college. Cost of attendance covers what a student actually spends to go to school – transportation, supplies and laundry money, for example. Your support of the BIG EAST Fund will help Creighton Athletics meet this new financial obligation.

Gifts of $25,000 or more allocated to the BIG EAST Fund may qualify for select naming opportunities in the Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center, D.J. Sokol Arena and the Rasmussen Fitness and Sports Center. BIG EAST Fund donations do not influence Jaybackers membership benefits. Under the University’s 501(c)(3) status, all gifts made to the BIG EAST Fund are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.

A new era arrived for Creighton Athletics when the University accepted full membership into the

BIG EAST Conference effective July 1, 2013. This day marked another significant milestone in Creighton history, as joining the BIG EAST again elevated the University.

Creighton Athletic Endowment Fund (AEF) Creighton student-athletes, coaches and staff know it takes more than great skills to become an outstanding competitor. It also takes endurance. The Creighton Athletic Endowment Fund will build endurance into Creighton Athletics, creating a perpetual source of support and generating revenue to sustain athletic scholarships.

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Increasing scholarships is a top priority for Creighton University, particularly in the athletic department. A strong Creighton Athletic Endowment Fund cements a long-term commitment that will provide resources necessary to meet our students’ educational and athletic goals while remaining competitive in the BIG EAST Conference and against regional rivals.

In 2014-2015, Creighton Athletics will award 95 athletic scholarships, considerably under the 141 scholarships the NCAA allows for Creighton Athletics’ 14 varsity programs. The average annual investment to provide the current 95 scholarships exceeds $4.3 million.

The athletic department’s success provides immeasurable promotional opportunities for Creighton,

Creighton’s current entire athletic endowment stands at approximately $5.2 million, an amount much too modest for a program of our size, status and aspirations. As it stands, the endowment generates $200,000, or enough to fully fund no more than four of our current 95 scholarships.

elevating the University to national audiences and providing exposure it otherwise would not attract.

Alumni from eight schools and colleges connect through a common team, and many Bluejay fans first learn about the University’s mission and values by following athletics.

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Additionally, new NCAA legislation requiring member institutions to support student-athletes’ total cost of attendance will redefine athletic scholarships. An institution’s financial aid office follows federal regulations to calculate the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and other expenses to estimate the total costs for a year.

We ask that you join Creighton in standing beside and supporting our student-athletes by building Creighton’s Athletic Endowment. A significant endowment will provide opportunities for student-athletes to achieve academic and athletic success. Your contributions free up Creighton Athletics’ unrestricted dollars – generated through Jaybackers, for example – across all varsity sports. When you establish an athletic department endowed fund, you create a permanent investment in Creighton, while bridging the gap between traditional scholarships and the true cost of attendance.

GRACE YOWELL HOMETOWN: MCPHERSON, KANSAS MAJOR: JOURNALISM

You may choose to establish a new endowment fund or add to an existing endowment and bring Creighton Athletics closer to offering and fully funding 141 scholarships.

Commitments of $25,000 or more to the Creighton Athletic Endowment Fund may be paid over five years.

“I chose Creighton University because of its academic excellence and the opportunity to play golf. The education and opportunities I experience here at Creighton will have lifelong benefits. I am thankful to forever be a Bluejay.”

I “ your

support

enables our program

to compete for the championship. �

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Ed Servais, Head Baseball Coach

I I TD Ameritrade Park Omaha serves as the primary home for the Creighton baseball team. The stadium features a 360-degree continuous walkway on the concourse level, with both permanent and portable concession stands lining the concourse.

The stadium has seating for 24,000 fans, including three decks of general grandstands, bleacher seating lining the outfield and club seating.

BY SUPPORTING any of the available opportunities in the Creighton Athletic Endowment Fund, you build Creighton’s endurance. An endowment plays a vital role in Creighton Athletics’ partnership with its current and future student-athletes for academic achievement and competitive success. Your gift will be a major contribution to the ongoing improvement of Creighton Athletics for years to come.

Unrestricted Athletic Scholarship Endowment An unrestricted gift commitment of $25,000 or more will establish a named scholarship offering financial assistance to a Bluejay student-athlete, selected by Creighton Athletics. This endowment serves the widest range of sports and student-athletes in perpetuity.

Unrestricted scholarship endowments often represent the most generous investments, because they allow Creighton Athletics to allocate funds to the greatest need.

CREIGHTON NAMED AND UNRESTRICTED ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP

Nick Thompson

HOMETOWN: DALLAS, TEXAS

MAJOR: FINANCE/PRE-LAW

$25,000

“Playing tennis on an athletic scholarship has given me the extraordinary opportunity to represent Creighton in competition, as well as pursue an invaluable degree from a tremendous institution. I have had the benefit of being a part of a family in my teammates, coaches and the Creighton community.”

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The Championship Center is an athletic practice, training and academic support facility. The Championship Center houses two practice courts, a locker room, a players’ lounge, an athletic performance center, an athletic training center, an academic resource center and offices for men’s basketball coaches and staff. All student-athletes will use the facility for academic support, athletic training and strength and conditioning services.

Sport-Specific Athletic Scholarship Endowment

Creighton Director of Athletics and Coaching Endowments

A minimum gift commitment of $100,000 will endow a named, sport-specific athletic scholarship. You may designate the endowment for one of Creighton’s 14 varsity sports. By establishing an endowment at this level, you will annually support a Bluejay studentathlete in the sport of your choice.

By establishing an endowment for the Director of Athletics or Head Coaching positions, you will help Creighton pursue, support and retain some of the nation’s best administrators, coaches and recruiters. You also will ease the escalating expense of coaches’ salaries.

HEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH

$10 MILLION

CREIGHTON SPORT-SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIP $100,000 DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

$5 MILLION

HEAD MEN’S SOCCER COACH

$2 MILLION

HEAD WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH

$2 MILLION

HEAD VOLLEYBALL COACH

$2 MILLION

HEAD BASEBALL COACH

$2 MILLION

HEAD WOMEN’S SOCCER COACH

$2 MILLION

HEAD SOFTBALL COACH

$2 MILLION

Creighton Position-Specific Endowments A gift commitment of $500,000 and greater establishes a named scholarship for a specific position (i.e. point guard, center, etc.) on the Bluejay men’s basketball team. A gift commitment of $250,000 allows you to name a scholarship for a specific position in any other varsity sports Creighton offers.

CREIGHTON MEN’S BASKETBALL POSITION-SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIP

$500,000 HEAD MEN’S GOLF COACH

$500,000

HEAD WOMEN’S GOLF COACH

$500,000

HEAD MEN’S TENNIS COACH

$500,000

Creighton Varsity Sport Endowment

HEAD WOMEN’S TENNIS COACH

$500,000

Endowing a Varsity Sport will provide a transformative source of financial assistance. Your gift will support operational expenses for the program of your choice including travel, recruiting and capital projects. As a perpetual account, your investment will help the program compete for championships, establish a foundation of success and provide financial assistance forever.

HEAD MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY COACH

$500,000

HEAD WOMEN’S ROWING COACH

$500,000

CREIGHTON VARSITY SPORT POSITION-SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIP

CREIGHTON MEN’S BASKETBALL

$250,000

$10 MILLION

CREIGHTON MEN’S SOCCER

$5 MILLION

CREIGHTON WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

$5 MILLION

CREIGHTON VOLLEYBALL

$5 MILLION

CREIGHTON BASEBALL

$5 MILLION

CREIGHTON WOMEN’S SOCCER

$5 MILLION

CREIGHTON SOFTBALL

$5 MILLION

CREIGHTON VARSITY SPORT PROGRAM

$2 MILLION

Please contact the Creighton Athletic Development office for endowment information for assistant coach and athletic administration positons.

“Coming to Creighton for Soccer was one of the best decisions I could have made for myself.

I am pushed every day to be the best athlete and student I can be, whether it be in the classroom or on the field, I know my coaches and professors will always continue to inspire me and encourage me as I develop throughout my time here at Creighton.”

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Christian Blandon HOMETOWN: CALI, COLOMBIA POSITION: MIDFIELDER/FORWARD MAJOR: MARKETING

I I The Michael G. Morrison, S.J., Stadium is Creighton’s on-campus soccer facility. The Bluejays play home matches at the finest on-campus soccer venue in the nation.

The Arena Grass all-weather surface is the first of its kind in the United States and makes the playing surface at the stadium one of the finest in the country.

Morrison Stadium’s seating capacity is 6,000 and includes a team souvenir shop, covered chairback seating, luxury suites, enclosed press box, concession stands and a banquet area.

Ways to Make a Gift to the

Creighton Athletic Endowment Fund

Creighton University Development and Creighton Athletics will work with each donor to customize an individual giving plan, including the funding method used to establish the endowment. Donors and Creighton Development will work together to draft the terms of the endowment agreement. Once established, the athletic department annually receives an amount from the endowment and makes every effort to select a student-athlete or other athletic department position that honors the specific criteria set forth in the agreement. The athletic department approves all proposed naming opportunities.

METHODS OF MAKING YOUR GIFT INCLUDE: CHECK/MONEY ORDER Checks and money orders should be made payable to Creighton University.

CREDIT CARDS Creighton University Development accepts all major credit cards including MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express.

SECURITIES Donors may make charitable contributions of securities via electronic transfers and physical stock certificates.

MATCHING GIFTS Many companies will match your contributions to the Creighton Athletic Endowment Fund. Submit your company’s matching gift form with your contribution.

PLANNED GIVING AND BEQUESTS Donors may use deferred gift vehicles to establish named endowed funds. Deferred or planned gifts such as bequests, income producing gifts, beneficiary designations of life insurance and retirement assets also can be used to establish an endowment in the future.

Thank you! Go Bluejays!

I the road to success

is always

under construction.

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Your gift of $25,000 or more establishes an Athletic Endowment, and may be payable over a 5-year period.

Subject to IRS regulations, athletics contributions from which the donor receives ticket benefits are deductible at 80% of the amount contributed. Contributions from which the donor receives recognition only are deductible from income tax to the amount fully allowable by law, which generally is 100%.

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The Rasmussen Center field turf is used by Creighton Athletics, intramural sports, club sports and group fitness. The center features a 4,300 sq.ft. weight/cardio room, a 2-lane suspended running track, a 60 yard x 40 yard turf field house and lockers and locker rooms.

Creighton University Heritage Society MEMBERSHIP If the Creighton family had not expressed their desire to establish and endow the University in their estate plans, there would not be a Creighton University today. Ever since the will of Mary Lucretia Creighton gave life to the dream of her husband Edward, charitable bequests have been a popular way for people to support the University, including Creighton Athletics.

Charitable bequests and other types of deferred gifts often are called “planned gifts.”

To pay tribute to those who share the vision of our founders, the Creighton University Heritage Society has been established. To make a planned gift to benefit Creighton Athletics and become a member of the Heritage Society, simply mail a copy of the portion of your will, trust, life insurance policy or other beneficiary designation form pertaining to your bequest to the Office of Estate and Gift Planning.

Listed are additional methods through which you can support future generations of Creighton studentathletes and join the Heritage Society.

Your membership in the Heritage Society is a special commitment and for this we say “thank you.” It not only helps Creighton student-athletes excel in the classrooms and on the court and field but also serves as an example that can motivate others to follow your lead in supporting Creighton Athletics.

Gift Methods to Impact the Future of Creighton Athletics PROVISION IN A WILL OR REVOCABLE TRUST To make a commitment to support future Bluejay Athletic Programs, ask your attorney to use the sample language on the next page as a guide for your will or revocable living trust. Your pledge will provide a legacy for many. If your will or trust has been prepared, adding a codicil or amendment will update your gift intention.

INCOME-PRODUCING GIFTS Through different arrangements, supporting Creighton Athletics also can provide payments to you to augment your current or retirement income. These gift instruments can be structured to provide fixed or variable payments that have the potential to grow over time. Payments can be for the lives of one or more individuals or for a number of years. Cash, long-term appreciated securities, corporate bonds, mutual funds or real estate all can be put to work for you and for Creighton Athletics. Your contribution can provide you with an income tax deduction for a portion of the assets transferred to Creighton and a flexible way to help the Bluejays.

CHARITABLE LEAD TRUST This type of charitable trust provides income payouts to benefit Creighton Athletics for your life and that of your spouse for a specific number of years. When the trust terminates, its assets are transferred to you or your family, potentially decreasing gift and/or estate taxes. There are myriad ways in which you may specify how the income is to be used.

TESTAMENTARY GIFT OF RETIREMENT ASSETS Naming Creighton University beneficiary is the first step to using your tax-deferred retirement account to support the Bluejays. A written agreement with the University stating that the funds will benefit Creighton Athletics will ensure your contribution is used in the manner you state.

Contact your plan administrator to obtain the change of beneficiary form and the Assistant Athletic Director for Development for further details.

LIFE INSURANCE OR ANNUITY POLICY You can contribute your life insurance or annuity policy by completing a change of ownership form with your insurance company and naming Creighton University as the new owner. This change in ownership can provide you with an immediate charitable income tax deduction, and you also may be able to deduct future insurance premium payments. Just as with tax-deferred retirement accounts, an agreement with the University stating that the funds will benefit Creighton Athletics will ensure your contribution is used in the manner you state.

REAL ESTATE You can contribute your residence, vacation home or farm while retaining the right to occupy or use the property for your lifetime and receive a current charitable income tax deduction. Creighton will receive full control of your property when your lifetime interest ends, or you also may terminate your interest voluntarily.

The proceeds from the sale of your property will benefit Creighton Athletics as you specify.

Proposed Language for a Gift Provision in a Will or Revocable Trust

RECOGNITION AND BENEFITS

To make a gift through your will or living trust, the following language may be used:

Recognition will be provided in the following ways for all who become members of the Heritage Society benefiting Creighton Athletics:

“I give to Creighton University (tax ID #47-0376583), a non-profit corporation located in Omaha, Nebraska…

• Name listed in men’s basketball programs

A

the sum of $________; or,

B

________ percent of my estate; or,

C

all the rest, remainder and residue of my estate, including property over which I shall have power of appointment at my passing, after all debts, taxes, expenses and other bequests have been satisfied...

for the unrestricted use by the Department of Athletics…

A

to supplement the Jaybackers General Fund; or,

B

to establish a fund to be known as the “__________ Fund,” a permanent endowment to benefit Athletics, income from which will be used to __________, as permitted by law; or,

C

for the purpose of _________.”

• Recipient of an attractive glass etched cache box If you already have included a gift to Creighton through a bequest or other planned gift, we hope you will let us know by completing a deferred charitable letter of intent. All information will remain confidential, including your identity, if you desire. If you have not yet included Creighton in your plans and you would like to explore the best options for you and your family, do not hesitate to contact Creighton University Athletic Development Office for more information.

*When establishing or reviewing your estate plan, we recommend that you consult with your professional advisor.

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Marissa Janning HOMETOWN: WATERTOWN, MINNESOTA POSITION: GUARD MAJOR: MARKETING

“I couldn’t be happier with my decision to attend Creighton University. The basketball team is more like a family to me because of how close we all are! The amount of support that surrounds Creighton athletics is amazing, the entire community is involved and it’s an exciting and fun atmosphere!”

402-280-3498 2500 California Plaza Omaha, NE 68178

gocreighton.com

CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS