The ’Cuse Athletics Fund (’CAF) raised $45 million in support of Syracuse University Athletics during the 2022-23 fiscal year, a 54% increase from last year’s second largest total and now marks the highest fundraising year for athletics in school history. The record-breaking generosity was made possible by 11,396 donors—the largest number of donors to support the program and only the second time ’CAF has eclipsed 10,000 total members.
Artist rendering of John A. Lally Athletics Complex
“I want to offer my sincere gratitude to all ’Cuse Athletics Fund members and donors who continue to step up and impact Syracuse Athletics and Syracuse University through their support,” says Director of Athletics John Wildhack. “Providing competitive resources for our student-athletes, coaches and staff is a top priority, and we simply cannot pursue and accomplish this without you. We are immensely appreciative of your support across all levels and thank you for the impact you have on our student-athletes.”
Contributions to the ’Cuse Athletics Fund encompass all areas supporting Syracuse Athletics, including annual giving to the Athletics Opportunity Fund, support to individual sports teams, priority seating and Legends Society commitments to the John A. Lally Athletics Complex.
“We have been able to surpass significant milestones in supporting our student-athletes due to the collective support from our alumni, friends and fans,” says Michael Paulus, senior associate athletic director and executive director of ’CAF. “Every gift matters, and we want to thank the more than 11,300 members and donors who have supported ’CAF through our many avenues of giving and have a vital impact on Syracuse Athletics.”
Support for ’CAF came at every gift level in 2022-23 to achieve a record number of donors. This year during the University wide day of giving—Boost the ’Cuse—Syracuse University Athletics received gifts from more than 870 donors. The one-day total in giving was 2.5 times more than the amount raised in 2022 for the giving challenge. Annual support from Boost the ’Cuse for head coaches’ funds provides resources for recruiting, training and competing. Due to generous donor support, several teams were able to travel abroad for training trips in 2023, including men’s soccer to England and men’s and women’s rowing to the Henley Royal Regatta. Furthermore, donations from alumni and friends provided individual teams the ability to upgrade training technology, improve team spaces and invest in additional areas of programmatic support.
Most notably from the successful year, philanthropic major gifts from donors propelled the capital campaign to surpass $50 million in commitments and complete Phase 1 of the John A. Lally Athletics Complex. The first step in this capital project was celebrated on Feb. 17, 2023, with a ribbon-cutting to formally open the Complex Entranceway. In May, the capital project reached another monumental milestone as the Syracuse University Board of Trustees approved the commencement of construction on a new Football Operations Center and “One Team” Olympic Sports Center. Anticipated completion of Phase 1 renovations is set for spring 2025.
Support through the Legends Society has provided momentum for the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, the new home of the Orange. The Legends Society, which serves as the leadership philanthropic giving arm of ’CAF and supports the John A. Lally Athletics Complex capital campaign, saw record growth during this fiscal year.
Since July 1, 2022, there have been 85 new Legends Society commitments, of which more than 65 were from first-time major gift donors to Syracuse Athletics. With the addition of these new commitments, the Legends Society has eclipsed 191 donors as of June 30, 2023, including 20 donors who have committed $1 million or more. The support comes from across Orange Nation and includes donors from 20 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada.
Commitments to the Legends Society begin at $25,000 and are fulfilled over a period up to five years ($5,000 per year). The program encompasses six levels of commitments and extends up to $1 million or more. In recognition of their philanthropic leadership, donors of the Legends Society may enjoy unique stewardship experiences and engagement opportunities in alignment with their support.
“Our Legends Society donors have been critical to achieving the Phase 1 milestone and impacting the student-athlete experience for all our programs. We thank you for trusting the vision of the capital campaign and helping bring to fruition the first part of our new home at the John A. Lally Athletics Complex,” says Wildhack.
As construction continues on the Football Operations Center and the “One Team” Olympic Sports Center, fundraising will begin to support the anticipated next phase of the multi-year, multi-phase capital project. Phase 2 will include a Student-Athlete Development Center encompassing academic program support, tutoring space, mental health support and career counseling. The University also plans to construct a new Strength and Conditioning Performance Center and an updated Hall of Champions to recognize alumni successes and celebrate the accomplishments of Orange student-athletes in the classroom and on the field. This area will also serve as a gathering and event space.
The plans to renovate the existing footprint at the Lally Athletics Complex follow the announcement in the fall of 2021 to raise $150 million to impact the student-athlete experience for all 20 sports programs and 600-plus student-athletes. Learn more about stewardship opportunities through the Legends Society and supporting the capital campaign.
About Syracuse UniversitySyracuse University is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.
The ’Cuse Athletics Fund (’CAF) is the driving force of private support for Syracuse University Athletics. The goal of ’CAF is to provide the resources needed for our 600 student-athletes and 20 sports teams to excel in competition and the classroom. ’CAF relies on the support of annual members, alumni and major gift donors to provide these resources. Thanks to the commitment and passion of our supporters, Syracuse Athletics leverages exceptional athletics and academics to transform student-athletes into leaders and champions. Learn more about the ’Cuse Athletics Fund.
The Legends Society is an exclusive group of Syracuse fans, family and alumni who join in this shared vision and are actively supporting the John A. Lally Athletics Complex by making commitments to the capital campaign. Donors to the Legends Society enjoy unique stewardship opportunities in recognition of their support. Learn more about how to support the John A. Lally Athletics Complex and join the Legends Society.
Orange isn’t just our color. It’s our promise to leave the world better than we found it. Forever Orange: The Campaign for Syracuse University is poised to do just that. Fueled by more than 150 years of fearless firsts, together we can enhance academic excellence, transform the student experience and expand unique opportunities for learning and growth. Forever Orange endeavors to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support, inspire 125,000 individual donors to participate in the campaign, and actively engage one in five alumni in the life of the University. Now is the time to show the world what Orange can do. Visit foreverorange.syr.edu to learn more.
