FORT MYERS, Fla. – In an effort to offset the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FGCU Department of Athletics utilized several creative fundraising initiatives in 2020-21 to negate the projected losses thanks to the tremendous support of the Eagles' donors, friends, and fans.

Overall, the department generated $589,500 during the academic year anchored by three major fundraising initiatives. Additionally, FGCU raised nearly $693,000 from Eagles Club membership which annually supports all 15 intercollegiate programs through funding scholarships, recruiting budgets, and special projects.

"Amidst the most difficult year that any of us have ever faced, I am extremely proud of the collective efforts of our advancement staff and coaches, in conjunction with our tremendous Eagles Club Board of Advisors, in generating these critical external resources," said Director of Athletics Ken Kavanagh. "Most especially, we are so appreciative of our wonderful donors who continue to support our still young program in a manner unlike any other program that I know of."

With the Night at the Nest Gala, the premier annual event for FGCU Athletics, unable to be held due to COVID restrictions, the department was able to re-imagine, modify its strategy, and move to the virtual space to ultimately raise money that went directly to supporting student-athletes. Named the Sustaining Flight Auction and Fundraiser, FGCU was able to generate $442,000 over the course of a week. The proceeds of the virtual gala were directed to scholarships, cost of attendance, medical testing and care, and the ability to implement COVID-19 safety protocols for events and shared spaces.

The Night at the Nest Gala has been one of the main fundraising vehicles for the Eagles. In 2019, the December event raised a record $675,000 in net revenue. Since its inception in 2010, the annual auction has become one of Southwest Florida's premier events and has raised just shy of $4.5 million collectively.

"I want to commend and thank everyone who has played a role in these fundraising successes," said Associate AD for Advancement Graham Diemer. "This includes our amazing donors, valued Board of Advisors, volunteers, coaches, student-athletes, and staff members who worked tirelessly throughout a very challenging year to produce these externally-generated resources, which are so critical to our continued successes in competition and, more importantly, the classroom. We simply cannot say 'thank you' to these terrific groups enough times."

The FGCU Eagles Golf Classic was also forced to split into events that were held on multiple days and at different golf courses. FGCU Athletics produced a two-day event at the Old Corkscrew Golf Club, as well as the Bonita Bay Club both in October of 2020 and May of 2021 (the event is normally held in the spring and at one venue). Combined all the golf events were able to generate a record $116,100 in net revenue.
 
"None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the combined team effort of the Eagles Club Board of Advisors, the FGCU Administrative staff, and the many generous benefactors who continue to support FGCU Athletics during these very difficult times," said Dr. Bob Ryan, Jr., Assistant to the AD for Special Events. "It has been a great team effort and I would like to say thanks to all members of the Eagles Team. Additionally, everyone who helped sponsor the golf events, those who participated, the staff at both Bonita Bay and Old Corkscrew were all tremendous in making these a success."
 
Finally, the annual Final Four Getaway was modified as well to be an all-inclusive package for the Ryder Cup. That produced another $31,400 to help assist our student-athletes.
 
"In a year when creativity and flexibility were essential, the board quickly pivoted to the Ryder Cup as a fundraising platform," said Walter Crawford and Taylor Ives, Eagles Club Advisory Board members and Co-Chairs of the Ryder Cup Getaway. "The collective efforts of the Eagles Club Advisory Board and athletics department staff helped to generate additional resources for the student-athletes - none of which would have been possible without the tremendous generosity of Southwest Florida's FGCU Eagles supporters." 
 
That generosity from FGCU supporters was felt throughout the year, but the significant financial contributions many were able to make, despite many being touched by the economic impact themselves, truly bolstered the department in what was perhaps its greatest time of need.
 
Heading into the 2021-22 academic year, the Department of Athletics will look to resume many of these events back to their normal atmosphere. The Night at the Nest Gala XI has been booked for Dec. 3, 2021 back at Alico Arena. Information on dates and other formal fundraising events will be shared later this summer.

For complete coverage of FGCU athletics, follow the Eagles on Twitter (@FGCUEagles), Instagram (@FGCUAthletics) and Facebook (@FGCUAthletics) and online at www.FGCUAthletics.com. You can also sign-up to have news on FGCU athletics and all 15 sport programs delivered directly to your inbox by visiting www.fgcuathletics.com/email.

E.A.G.L.E. CAMPAIGN
IT TAKES A TEAM to achieve our newest goal - a $10 million campaign to address student-athlete needs in continued academic success, life skills, mental health, nutrition, and strength and conditioning as well as departmental needs in facility expansion and improvement as well as mentoring and leadership training for coaches and staff. The name embodies our mission and the purpose of the E.A.G.L.E. Campaign - Eagle Athletics Generating Lifetime Excellence. Join Our Team and pledge your gift today to help the Eagles of tomorrow!
 
#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events in November and April to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.
 
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 85 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 13+ seasons at the Division I level. Additionally, in just nine seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 42 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Eight FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport - including women's basketball (No. 21, 2020-21), beach volleyball (No. 20, 2021) and both men's soccer (2018, 2019) and women's soccer (2018) as three of the most recent. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. In 2018-19, the Eagles had an ASUN and state of Florida best seven teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.50 GPA in the classroom in the fall 2020 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for 23 consecutive semesters. The 2019 Fall, 2020 Spring, and 2020 Fall semesters each saw another milestone reached as all 15 programs achieved a 3.0-or-higher team GPA. The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours in 2017 - being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.