Athletics: Buckeye Club Undergoes Makeover – Ohio State Buckeyes
6/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
New approach, branding lead way to enhanced membership benefits
COLUMBUS, Ohio The Ohio State Department of Athletics announced Thursday the revitalization of its Buckeye Club, the chief donor support organization of the department.
In addition to providing gifts for student-athlete grant-in-aid funds and scholarships, the Buckeye Club now will include donors who participate in the 1888 Society, the Department of Athletics’ endowment program, and those who directly support the capital projects on the athletics campus. Plans for the near future include the expansion of the basketball facilities at the Jerome Schottenstein Center and new complexes for rowing, tennis and softball.
In the forefront of the “new” Buckeye Club will be the enhancements members will have the opportunity to enjoy. Members will have the chance to stay more involved with a developed advisory board and added events throughout the year.
“We want to further promote the passion and camaraderie that makes The Ohio State University so unique,” Alexis Maddox, Buckeye Club Director, said. “We want our members to take ownership of the organization.
“Our plan is to have more events throughout the year, all designed to give the organization more of that club feel. We want our members to bring their friends and show them what the Buckeye Club is all about.”
Additional upgrades to the organization will include members-only travel packages, new membership cards, access to concession lines designated for members-only at Ohio Stadium and a new Buckeye Club logo (see attachment).
Technology also comes into play with the redevelopment of the Buckeye Club Web site, which will house all fund-raising information, provide video pieces from coaches and student-athletes, post upcoming events and serve as a platform to recognize loyal donors. The new site is located at www.OhioStateBuckeyes.com/buckeyeclub.
“This is a great thing for the club as well as our university and our student-athletes,” Gene Smith, Ohio State Vice President and Director of Athletics, said. “Our Buckeye Club really is the backbone of our entire support structure. People give their time, their finances, material resources and their passion. We need to continue to find ways to recognize and thank them.
“I think the new branding will enhance the club, allow it to grow and help it become more recognized for the great behind-the-scenes work that it does.”
Buckeye Club Mission Statement
The Buckeye Club’s mission is to directly support the overall goals of the Ohio State Department of Athletics by generating the funds for athletics grant-in-aid and scholarships for student-athletes in 36 varsity sports. It strives to embrace and engage the most dedicated Buckeye fans within the OSU community to further promote the passion and camaraderie that makes the University so unique.
About Ohio State Athletics
The Ohio State University Department of Athletics sponsors 36 fully funded varsity teams 17 for women, 16 for men and three co-educational. The department is committed to providing its more than 900 student-athletes with the finest in academic and athletics support in order to ensure a quality and life-enhancing experience. The Department of Athletics is completely self-supporting and receives no university monies, tax dollars or student fees. In Fiscal Year 2007-08, the Department of Athletics will transfer back to the University more than $25 million in assessments, including nearly $17 million in grant-in-aid costs.
The Buckeye Club
Room 215 St. John Arena
410 Woody Hayes Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Phone: (614) 292-9908
