MEMBERSHIP 2020-2021
TO B ENEFIT D ENV ER ATH LETIC S & REC RE AT I ON
The Pioneers Athletic Fund serves to connect and inspire alumni, parents, student-athletes, faculty, staff and fans to be Pioneers for Life. Our members are passionately dedicated to transforming the lives of our student-athletes by providing the resources they need to relentlessly strive for excellence both in competition and in the classroom.
WE NEED EVERY PIONEER By achieving the extraordinary in athletics, Pioneer student-athletes inspire us. As they represent the University of Denver in the classroom and in the community, Pioneer student-athletes unite us. As they develop to become team captains and change-makers, Pioneer student-athletes lead us. Pioneer student-athletes continue to demonstrate that athletic and academic excellence can coexist in extraordinary ways. This year, we need every fan, friend, parent and alumnus to help us continue to preserve the championship legacies embedded on our campus. COVID-19 has changed the current landscape of college athletics and our athletic teams are not immune to its impact. Denver Athletics faces unprecedented losses in revenues and added expenses as we keep our student-athletes safe and provide a first-class experience at DU. While we will continue to find ways to solve the incredible financial challenges we face, we cannot do it alone. Please consider a donation to help us tackle our funding gaps head-on. Your gift to a specific sport, the 5280 Together COVID Relief Fund, or both, will demonstrate that our Pioneer pride, grit and perseverance will continue the success story of Denver Athletics. We need you now more than ever! Thank you for your generosity. Go Pioneers!
-Karlton Creech, Vice Chancellor for Athletics & Recreation
A CHALLENGE YOU CAN HELP SOLVE In the face of unprecedented financial challenges, Denver Athletics & Recreation made the difficult decision over the summer of implementing layoffs, furloughs, budget cuts and pay reductions—all of which impact the resources we provide to our studentathletes. Your gift this year will go toward team operating costs negatively impacted by COVID-19 and help to ensure that our student-athletes receive the level of support they deserve as they work to get back to competition.
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TO VIEW AREAS OF GIVING 4
WHAT PIONEER STUDENT-ATHLETES NEED
✓ NUTRITION: Healthy snacks and fresh food are essential to be optimally fueled and replenish important nutrients expended
during training. Additionally, your gift will make sure student-athletes have access to fresh food delivery if and when they are in quarantine or isolation because of COVID-19 contact tracing.
✓ ACADEMIC SUPPORT: An outstanding academic experience is one of the most important aspects of being a Pioneer studentathlete, but we need your support to continue funding for academic guidance and resources.
✓ TEAM TRAVEL: We plan on our teams traveling for competition this year. Team travel is an area especially hard hit by budget cuts, which means our teams will need your gift in order to travel and compete.
✓ INCREASED HYGIENE NEEDS & COVID TESTING: Locker rooms, the training room and the weight room areas need increased
cleaning, installation of plastic barriers and improvements in ventilation to keep student-athletes healthy. Also, our studentathletes are tested for COVID frequently during the week, which requires additional funding.
✓ MENTAL WELLNESS: Access to mental health resources, preventative care and sports psychology, as our student-athletes face challenges dealing with social distancing, quarantine or isolation.
✓ EQUIPMENT: Our teams’ needs range from game uniforms, shoes, balls, sticks, skis and helmets to PPE. ✓ LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: This year marks the launch of the Pioneer Student-Athlete Leadership Academy, which is a
positive leadership program designed specifically for our student-athletes based on content from the The Wall Street Journal’s best-selling author Jon Gordon. Though this year’s programming will be virtual, it is more important than ever to prepare Pioneer student-athletes to be the next generation of leaders.
✓ SUPPORT FOR 5TH YEAR STUDENT-ATHLETES: Student-athletes impacted by shortened seasons were granted a 5th year of eligibility by the NCAA, and many Pioneer student-athletes chose to stay for a final year of competition. Your donation will go toward increased team costs as we support them in their athletic and academic endeavors.
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YOUR MEMBERSHIP Providing member benefits is our way of saying thank you for your investment in our Pioneer student-athletes. Your membership focuses on two types of support: SEASON TICKETS – Non tax-deductible season tickets for any of our ticketed sports. 4D DONATION – Tax-deductible donations not tied to season tickets that support DU’s mission to create a 4D student experience built upon 1) academic development, 2) character development, 3) professional training, and 4) comprehensive wellness. Philanthropic gifts to a specific sport program, 5280 Together COVID Relief Fund, or both, count as a 4D Donation. Both types of support activate your Pioneers Athletic Fund Member Benefits, which are listed on the next page. As a thank you to our members who choose to make a 4D Donation, we are excited to offer new and exclusive benefits and experiences. As we continue to work through social distancing policies we will offer virtual experiences for most of 2020-2021.
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PIONEERS ATHLETIC FUND MEMBER BENEFITS Annual Membership Packet
Online Shop Pioneers Discounts
Priority for Post-Season Events
4D DONATION BENEFITS Crimson $150-$499
Gold $500-$999
MVP $1,000-$2,999
All-Conference $3,000-$4,999
All-American $5,000-$9,999
Champions Society $10,000+
Giving Certificate Increased Priority for Post-Season Events Donor Appreciation Events Donor Acknowledgement in Ritchie Center Crimson Lounge Access for Hockey*^ Gold Club Access for Men’s Lacrosse*^ Hospitality to Select Games Pioneer Speaker Series Invitation Gold Club Access for Hockey*^^ Pioneer Vision Annual Subscription Exclusive DU Athletics Facilities Tour VIP Athletics Events with Head Coaches Family Photo Day Opportunity VIP Game Day Experience for Select Game** Invitation to NHL Summer Training Camp** VIP Golf Experience with DU Athletics Away Travel Opportunity with Sport of Choice*** Champions Lapel Pin *Must be season ticket holder ^$500 donation per person **Access for 4 per membership ^^$1,000 donation per person ***Away game determined by DU Athletics; additional costs apply.
Benefits as of January 31, 2020, subject to change. Any charitable 4D Donation is equal to the gift amount, minus the value of benefits. Please consult your tax advisor.
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IMPORTANCE OF ALUMNI Our former student-athletes have the chance to leave a lasting mark on Denver Athletics. With more than 4,300 DU alumni who played a varsity sport, we ask each of you to make a gift this year. The COVID-19 pandemic will change our institution and it will change our student-athletes. Your gift can make the change a positive one by providing inspiration to our teams as they navigate challenges posed by the pandemic.
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The University of Denver taught me grit, persistence, courage, teamwork, empathy, curiosity, resiliency and, most importantly, the willingness to innovate and try something new. Without these things, the gymnastics team would’ve never made the top four in 2019. I wouldn’t have gotten a job right out of college. And lastly, I wouldn’t have some of the best teammates who ended up being some of my very best friends. -Maddie Karr, ‘19
DU gave me the opportunity to not only have a successful career, but it also allowed me to make life long relationships with people that will always have a major role in my life. My experience wasn’t just about winning a national championship in 2015, being a 4-time First Team All-American or even breaking records. It was about coming to a place where I was accepted, challenged and, most importantly, happy. I’m fortunate to be able to call myself a Pioneer. -Trevor Baptiste, ‘18
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Is my gift tax-deductible? Yes, a gift to the annual fund, capital project, scholarship and endowment is tax-deductible, minus benefits received. In accordance with the 2018 tax reform legislation, season ticket purchases are no longer tax-deductible. Please consult your tax professional on all tax matters.
Are payment plans available?
Yes, there are a variety of payment plans options available online. Please consider maximizing your impact by making a monthly gift.
When will I receive my benefits?
Benefits are fulfilled for gifts made July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021. Due to social distancing requirements, we intend to create a virtual platform to deliver our experiential benefits.
Am I still able to make a gift to my favorite sport?
Yes. For those who donate toward specific sport programs, we thank you and encourage you to continue to do so. This year, please consider a separate donation to the 5280 Together COVID Relief Fund as we face this unprecedented crisis.
Can my gift be matched by my employer?
Yes. Matching gifts are a great way to maximize your donation. Please consult your employer’s benefits office or visit matchinggifts.com/du to see if your employer has a matching gift program.
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OUR TEAM
Brandon Macneill
Emily Boone
Ryan Lowe
Kaley Rickert
Deputy Athletic Director & Chief Revenue Officer brandon.macneill@du.edu 303-871-2785
Associate Athletic Director for Development emily.boone@du.edu 303-871-4648
Associate Athletic Director for Major Gifts ryan.lowe@du.edu 303-871-3720
Development Assistant kaley.rickert@du.edu 303-871-2388
HOW TO GIVE Online
Visit go.du.edu/givetoathletics
Make your check out to University of Denver with the designation in the memo and send to: Athletics Development Office | University of Denver 2201 East Asbury Ave. | Denver, CO 80208
Phone Call 303-871-2388
Ritchie Center for Sports & Wellness 2201 East Asbury Ave. Denver, CO 80210 supportpioneers@du.edu