Ole Miss donors seem to consistently be in the giving spirit. It was announced on Friday that the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation made $45.6 million in cash donations from donors over the last fiscal year, which ended on June 30, 2016.
The previous high, of $35.2 million, was set a year ago. Over the past four years in total, the Athletics Foundation has brought in $134.2 million. The foundation has a healthy amount of members, currently sitting at 17,773.
According to Adam Kuffner of givetoathletics.com, Ole Miss Athletics Director Ross Bjork said, “On behalf of Ole Miss Athletics, including our coaches and our talented student-athletes, I would like to thank Rebel Nation for their generous contributions over the past year that set a new standard in fundraising. The Ole Miss Family continues to grow, and the support allows us to continue giving Rebels the highest quality student-athlete experience.”
In November, Dr. Gerald Hollingsworth made a $25 million commitment to Ole Miss athletics, giving $10 million this year and the other $15 million in the future. The $10 million for this year is being used to support the north end zone expansion of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, where the playing field already has Hollingsworth’s name.
With all the money coming in, Senior Associate A.D. for Development/Athletics Foundation Executive Director Keith Carter was named the 2016 National Association of Athletic Development Directors Fundraiser of the Year.
The Forward Together campaign has also topped $167.5 million in commitments and the goal has now been raised to hit $200 million as of June 2017.
As part of the $200 million Forward Together campaign, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium is receiving major upgrades for the 2016 season,” Kuffner wrote. “The north end zone bowl has been enclosed to bring the stadium’s capacity to just over 64,000, a new club in the south end zone has been constructed on field level and the playing field has been transformed to a natural grass surface.
“New videoboards, a new audio/video system and new lighting are being installed as well. A plaza and letterwinner walk, with a featured bell tower, outside of the north end of the stadium, are planned for finish in late fall. The football practice fields are also undergoing renovations, including a new artificial turf field, among other additions nearing completion.”
The entire announcement can be read here.
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