A message from our campaign co-chairs: Thank you!
July 2004
We’ve cleared the final hurdle, and you made it possible!
The Campaign for Athletics ended June 30, and we are proud to report excellent results that will make a positive impact on Cornell athletics for years to come. Cornell alumni, parents, and friends made Cornell Victorious the most successful athletics fundraising effort in the University’s history. With more than $86 million raised in support of athletics since its start, the Campaign far surpasses similar efforts by Cornell or our Ivy peers. The entire Cornell community very much appreciates your commitment and support.
Every program has benefited from this campaign. We have endowed 22 additional positions, for a total of 30 (Harvard, with six endowed coach positions, is our nearest competitor in the Ivy League), and added more than $50 million to the athletic department’s endowment. In addition, we have restored campus landmarks including Schoellkopf Memorial Hall, made improvements to several others, and built new facilities such as the Friedman Wrestling Center.
Cornell Victorious has generated a renewed interest in athletics at all levels and this has brought focus to several important issues. The Board of Trustees and senior administration remain committed to the pursuit of excellence on the playing field as well as in the classroom. Toward that end, measurable improvements have been made to the admissions process for scholar-athletes, and the Board will continue to monitor progress in this regard. While gifts have been critical to improve facilities, the University has also invested in capital projects, including two new lighted practice fields and two additional fields to replace the Alumni Field playing space that will be the site of the New Life Sciences Facility.
Most important, your generous support of the campaign impacts Cornell students. By providing them an opportunity to compete for championships, to scale mountains, or to compete in triathlons – through participation in one of the nation’s broadest athletics programs – you contribute immeasurably to their academic, as well as their career success.
The Campaign is already having an impact on our success within the Ivy League. F or the second year in a row, the Big Red claimed seven Ivy League titles (men’s ice hockey, wrestling, lacrosse, and outdoor track; and women’s indoor and outdoor track, and softball) and our women’s polo team captured its fifth consecutive national championship crown. Cornell boasts four Academic All-Americans this year and another 13 students received district honors.
Together we have achieved many of our goals, and plans to strengthen Cornell athletics continue. As we look to the future, new opportunities have been identified: renovations to Lynah Rink and Helen Newman Hall, construction of a rowing center, and other efforts will continue to enrich the Cornell experience for thousands of Cornell students.
Opportunities to support Cornell athletics are listed below.
The resounding success of Cornell Victorious positions us to keep bringing championship trophies to Ithaca, attract outstanding coaches and student-athletes, and offer programs that are second to none. Thank you for making so many accomplishments possible.
Go Big Red!
Jan Rock Zubrow ’77 Robert Staley ’57, MBA ’59
Rowing Center
Helen Newman Hall