SFA VARSITY CLUB 2014-15 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
Hello from SFA Athletics! Thanks for your interest in supporting Stephen F. Austin State University Athletics. Your annual support provides critical resources to all our student-athletes across SFA s 17 teams. Regardless of gift designation or amount, the support from all of our donors is critical to the success and achievement of our student-athletes, coaches and staff. We are extremely proud of the success we have had in the Southland Conference, in the classroom and in the community. This success has been achieved thanks in large part to the continued generosity of donors, season ticket holders, alumni and friends who support SFA Athletics. Managing our resources is one of our biggest challenges as it relates to competing on the NCAA Division I level. Faced with increasing costs, our department must strive for more outside financial support in order to remain competitive. At the same time, we must make sure that we support the mission of the university and have a positive impact on the economy of the community. SFA student-athletes have been able to achieve academic and athletic success because of your generous support. By impacting the lives of those who proudly wear the purple and white, you can take pride in knowing your investment will help continue the success and traditions of SFA. Axe Em! Robert Hill Director of SFA Athletics 2
STUDENTS ATTEND COLLEGE TO LEARN AND GET A DEGREE. College would not be possible for thousands of students without the aid of scholarships. In particular, athletic scholarships help Stephen F. Austin State University s student-athletes achieve their dreams of a quality college education. Both inside and outside the classroom, SFA studentathletes excel. They are strong, disciplined achievers who know how to stay focused and lead. 3
YOU RE A MEMBER OF SFA S TEAM. As tuition and program costs continue to increase, support from donors like you becomes even more critical to fund successful SFA athletic programs. When you factor in additional direct expenses such as travel, academic support and sports medicine needs for approximately 360 SFA student-athletes across 17 varsity sports, we must make every dollar count. LEND YOUR SUPPORT. As the principal fundraising arm of SFA men s and women s athletics, the SFA Varsity Club enhances the operating budget for the university s athletic programs. Donations made by loyal and generous donors are invested in athletic scholarships and also support general operations, which benefit the student-athletes in the following areas: Academic counseling Tutoring and mentoring Study hall and computer centers Sports medicine staff and facilities Strength and conditioning Nutrition programs and facilities Life skills and special development programs Career development activities Supporting SFA s athletic department and its student-athletes with a donation to the SFA Varsity Club is the best way to directly impact the future of SFA Athletics. Our student-athletes do their part: hours spent studying and practicing, competing, striving for championships, and acting as ambassadors for SFA. Please help them build on their academic and athletic success by making a contribution today! 4
LUMBERJACKS MAKE GREAT STUDENT-ATHLETES 5
A n athletic scholarship from Stephen F. Austin State University made college possible for sprinter BRARYSHEYIA BRASHA SIMPSON. With 10 siblings, her scholarship opened the door to help her succeed. Brasha said she hopes her younger brothers and sisters will follow in her footsteps and realize that college is within their reach. The SFA record holder, majoring in psychology with a double minor in child and family development and pre-med, is set to graduate in May 2016. She then plans to attend medical school. Brasha calls Marlin, Texas, a small town about 150 miles west of Nacogdoches, home. After being recruited by several universities, Brasha decided to attend SFA because Nacogdoches reminded her of home. I love the atmosphere and how friendly everyone is, Brasha said. I feel like my coaches and professors genuinely care about me and want to help me achieve. I have a wonderful support system at SFA. In high school, Brasha was a two-time state champion, three-time state qualifier, and a state runner up. So far at SFA, she has been selected All Conference six times and been named Athlete of the Week. She also holds three sprinting records. Brasha says she faces her academic challenges with the same competitive drive she uses to push forward on the track. I don t believe in taking the easy way, she said. Right now, I am enrolled in a very difficult statistics BORN TO RUN course. I m prepared for it though, and I know the effort I put in will determine my grade. She says she s looking forward to the future and all the wonderful opportunities to come. Without the scholarship I received from SFA, attending college and working toward my dream of becoming a physician would not have been possible. I am so appreciative of the people who are helping me along the way. 6
The Touchdown Club VIP reserved seating on the club level inside the Homer Bryce Stadium press box, complimentary buffet, beverages, access to a cash bar and home game-day programs are a few of the Touchdown Club's perks. Additionally, for each seat purchased, club members receive a complimentary ticket to the Battle of the Piney Woods game held at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Members also enjoy elite game-day parking and invitations to select athletic events. This is a non-tax deductible level. The SFA Varsity Club Depending on your level of giving, you may receive complimentary season tickets to Lumberjack football, baseball and/or basketball. As a member of the SFA Varsity Club, you ll also have the opportunity to purchase additional tickets at discounted rates. The enclosed form reflects discounted rates. Football season ticket holders view games from the comfort of reserved chairback seats on the home team side between the 40-yard lines. Baseball fans have reserved chairback seats behind home plate, and basketball fans have their names noted all season on the backs of their reserved seats. Additionally, with a minimum level of giving (refer to chart), basketball fans receive admission to the Murray Shaw Championship Room located in the William R. Johnson Coliseum before select home games and during halftime. Here, you ll enjoy a complimentary hor d oeuvres buffet and drinks. All SFA Varsity Club members receive preferred parking, program recognition and invitations to special athletic events. Note: The deadline for football season ticket renewal is Aug. 1, and the deadline for football program recognition for the SFA Varsity Club is July 15. 7
SFA VARSITY CLUB - BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP Student Associate Jr. Varsity Varsity Purple & White Victory MVP All- American Conference Champion National Champion Hall of Fame Minimum Annual Gift Required: $50 $100 $250 $500 $1,000 $2,000 $3,000 $5,000 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 Tax Deduction «««««««««««Membership Card «««««««««««Automobile Decal «««««««««««Football Program Recognition «««««««««««Invitation to Weekly Luncheons «««««««««««Invitation to Special Receptions «««««««««««Away Game Ticket Information «««««««««««Postseason Ticket Priority «««««««««««Benefits Gameday Media Guides ««««««««««Special Basketball Parking «««««««««Special Football Parking «««««««««Chairback Football Seating ««««««««Access to Murray Shaw Room «««««««Elite Football Parking ««««««Annual Champions Dinner «««««Exclusive Events with Head Coaches ««««Personalized Wall Plaque «««Two Tickets to Hall of Fame Dinner ««Travel with Team to D1 Game (two guests) «Season Ticket Entitlement 0 0 0 2 2 4 4 6 8 10 12 8 Please note: Season ticket holders may select from football, basketball and/or baseball or combination. Battle of the Piney Woods does not apply.
"SUNSHINE" W hen he s not on the basketball court (and he s on the basketball court a lot), SFA Lumberjack basketball forward JACOB "SUNSHINE" PARKER can be found enjoying a day of fishing or hunting. The 6-foot-6-inch junior from Bixby, Okla., plans to graduate from SFA in May 2015 with a double major in geology and kinesiology. He says his ideal job would be utilizing his geology degree in the oil business. Heavily recruited by five other colleges and universities, Jacob settled on SFA because he liked the close-knit community. He says he also was attracted to the area because it was far enough from home that he couldn t return to Oklahoma every weekend, but close enough that making the trip wasn t impossible either. Being away from home has been challenging, Jacob said. However, it s allowed me to grow as a person and become more responsible. Also, since coming to Nac, I have met many great people in the community, which made the transition much easier. Jacob said the scholarship he is receiving from SFA is providing a major boost in allowing him to concentrate on his studies, as well as be successful on the court. Named the 2013-14 Southland Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year, Jacob was instrumental in helping the Lumberjacks achieve their first-ever victory in the NCAA Tournament. Since the age of 5, Jacob has been involved in athletics, playing as many sports as possible basketball, baseball, soccer and football. He said he especially enjoys basketball, a sport his father got him involved in. Both Jacob and his younger sister, Stevi, who attends Tulsa University on a basketball scholarship, thrive on the fast-paced atmosphere that surrounds basketball. In the classroom, Jacob says SFA is preparing him for a career with a real-world perspective. He has been selected to the First Team Academic All-Southland Conference. The professors push you every day to be your best. They don t just hand out grades; you have to earn them. Jacob says once he graduates and leaves SFA, he ll always feel a connection. SFA provides just the right mix of academics, community and fun, he said. I m having the time of my life. 9
CHAMPIONS MADE HERE! 10
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F or Stephen F. Austin State University s assistant football coach JEREMY MOSES, his goal is the same as it was when he came to SFA as quarterback in 2007: to win football championships. Jeremy helped pilot the SFA Lumberjacks to back-toback conference championships in 2009 and 2010. He went on to rack up some impressive credentials, including his nomination for the prestigious Walter Payton Award in 2009 and winning it in 2010. The Walter Payton Award is annually presented to the most outstanding offensive player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football and is chosen by a nationwide panel of media and college sports information directors. Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys also is a former winner. Jeremy is the first player in Southland Conference history to receive the award. Moreover, Jeremy closed out his collegiate career as one of the NCAA s all-time greatest quarterbacks, setting a NCAA FCS career record for completions (1,184) and finishing among the FCS all-time top 10 in total offense (13,201), passing yards (13,401) and touchdown passes (121). Those numbers also place Jeremy among the NCAA s top 25, regardless of division, in all four categories. Without the athletic scholarship he received from SFA, all of Jeremy s incredible accomplishments might not have been possible. Recruited by five other universities, Jeremy decided to sign with SFA without ever stepping foot on the campus. I was more focused on academics than athletics, Jeremy said. I had done some research, and I knew that SFA s class sizes were small only about 20 students in a class. That made it much easier to access professors. I was pleased with the large number of resources available like the computer labs, huge library, study groups, and tutoring and mentoring opportunities. Jeremy said SFA provided him with a quality education. He graduated in May 2011 with a bachelor s degree in business management. I am extremely appreciative for the opportunity to continue to be part of the Lumberjacks football team, he said. I ve been so blessed to be in a position to be part of ONCE A LUMBERJACK a winning team as an SFA athlete and now to work toward continuing that tradition for future athletes to build on as an assistant coach. Recommending SFA to prospective students comes easily for Jeremy. His younger brother plans to attend the university next year. SFA professors teach you how to become a professional, and it s a great place to network for your future, Jeremy said. There are thousands of SFA alumni in the workforce who will help you get a job once you graduate. Lumberjacks help Lumberjacks. 12
WAYS TO GIVE There are many ways to give to the SFA Varsity Club. You also may designate which sport you would like your donation to benefit. Enclosed Self Mailer Simply fill out and return the enclosed self-mailer along with your check or credit card information. Online Log on to sfajacks.com, click on the Donate To SFA icon at the top center of the page and select "Athletics." You may donate by using your Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover card. By phone (936) 468-4540. Cash and/or Check Send a personal or certified check made payable to SFA Athletics to: SFA Intercollegiate Athletics SFA Varsity Club P.O. Box 13010, SFA Station Nacogdoches, TX 75962-3010 Gift-in-Kind We welcome the gifts of tangible property such as products, services, equipment or merchandise in place of a cash donation to the SFA Varsity Club. These gifts-in-kind provide budgetary assistance for the athletic department while often providing tax relief and other benefits to donors. Please call (936) 468-4540 to discuss a gift-in-kind donation. Give and Receive SFA offers numerous planned-giving options to make it possible for you to support the university while also enjoying tax benefits. Planned-giving options include securities, real estate, personal property, life insurance, wills and retirement assets. Contact SFA at (936) 468-4540 for additional information. Matching Gifts Many employers sponsor matching gift programs that will match charitable contributions made by their employees. Matching gifts can double or even triple your gift. Find out if your employer sponsors matching gifts. SFA can provide assistance with completing the necessary forms from your employer. Tax Information Disclaimer: The following information is not intended to constitute legal advice or other tax counsel and may not be relied on as such. Please consult a personal tax adviser concerning the deductibility of any contribution to the SFA Varsity Club. Under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, the amount of a contribution that is deductible for federal income tax purposes is limited to the excess of the amount contributed over the value of any goods or services provided to the donor by the university. The athletic department will notify you as to the value of any such items. Under current IRC provisions, no more than 80 percent of an amount paid to or for the benefit of an institution of higher education may be treated as a charitable contribution if, as a result of the payment, the donor receives the right to purchase tickets for seating at an athletic event in an athletic stadium at the institution. You should consult your tax adviser to determine whether these provisions apply to you. If you choose to waive all applicable benefits, you must sign a written waiver at the time you make your donation. 13
CHAMPIONSHIPS BEGIN WITH SCHOLARSHIPS. Your donations help SFA s student-athletes achieve amazing things. Champions in the Classroom A remarkable 92 SFA student-athletes were named to the 2013 Southland Conference Commissioner s Fall Academic Honor Roll. SFA tied for the second-most selections among Southland Conference institutions. Of the 92 student-athletes named to the honor roll, 15 boasted a 4.0 grade-point average during the fall 2013 semester. The list includes SFA student-athletes who participated in men s and women s cross country, football, soccer and volleyball. 14
RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS Overall SLC Commissioner s Cup 2010 and 2012 SLC Men s All-Sports Trophy 2011, 2012 and 2013 Baseball Hunter Dozier drafted eighth overall in the 2013 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals the highest drafted player at SFA in any sport Men s Basketball 2014 NCAA Tournament berth (only second time in program history) Advanced to round three of 2014 NCAA Tournament SLC Tournament Champions 2014 SLC regular season champions 2013 and 2014 2013 National Invitational Tournament berth Women s Basketball Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament Runner-Up 2014 SLC regular season champions 2014 Bowling Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow Award winner Melanie Crawford 2014 Cross Country Conference Champions 2012 Individual SLC Championship Lauren Smith 2012 Football SLC Conference Champions 2009 and 2010 SLC Coach of the Year 2009 and 2010 Walter Payton Award Winner - Jeremy Moses 2010 Men s Golf Crown Classic Champions 2012 Hal Sutton Invitational Champions 2011 Branson Creek Invitational Champions 2010 Soccer Regular season SLC Title 2011, 2012 and 2013 Tournament Champions 2012 Tennis Regular season SLC Champions 2012 SLC Conference Tournament Champions 2012 Track and Field Women s Indoor SLC Title 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Women s Outdoor SLC Title 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Men s Indoor SLC Title 2013 Men s Outdoor SLC Title 2013 Coach Accolades Cody Clark SLC Cross Country Coach of the Year 2012 Wally Crittenden SLC Soccer Coach of the Year 2013 Gay McNutt SLC Softball Coach of the Year 2010 Phil Olson SLC Track and Field Coach of the Year 2013 Women's Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Women's Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Men's Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year 2011 and 2013 Men's Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year 2013 Brad Underwood SLC Basketball Coach of the Year 2014 Joe B. Hall Award 2014 15
IMPORTANT DATES Program Recognition Deadline - July 15 Season Ticket Deadlines: Football - Aug. 1 Basketball - Oct. 15 Baseball - Feb. 1 TICKET INFORMATION Tickets to all SFA athletics events are available for purchase through the SFA ticket office located in the Baker Pattillo Student Center. Tickets also are available online at sfajacks.com. Ticket information and pricing is listed on the website. If you have questions concerning tickets to any Lumberjack or Ladyjack athletic event, please contact the ticket office by phone at (936) 468-5225 (JACK), toll free at (800) 775-3358 or by email at tickets@ sfasu.edu. OUR MISSION Welcome to SFA Lumberjack Football, Head Coach Clint Conque! The SFA Varsity Club provides the resources needed to enrich the lives of our student-athletes as they strive to achieve excellence in the classroom and in the highest level of competition by serving and connecting the SFA community with unparalleled experiences and tradition. We are committed to operating with integrity and in the best interest of the university, the Southland Conference and the NCAA. 16
F or the DUNNIGAN SISTERS, Stephen F. Austin State University s focus on academics is what most attracted them to the university. Megan, a biology pre-med major, and her younger sister, Brooke, a food, nutrition and dietetics major, both from Austin, agree that the athletic scholarships they received have helped them attain their goals on the soccer field and in the classroom. Megan was named to the First Team Academic All- Southland Conference and also selected as Player of the Week. Additionally, she was named to the All-Region SOCCER SISTERHOOD Second Team. She also maintains an impressive 3.80 grade-point average. Brooke was named to the Southland Conference Commissioner s Honor Roll and the James I. Perkins College of Education s dean s list. She s been named a game MVP and Honorable Mention in the Southland Conference. Despite rigorous soccer practices and game schedules, both women say their coaches highlight that in the title of student-athlete, student comes first! The sisters were each recruited by three universities but decided to attend SFA because after visiting with the coaches and team members, they felt camaraderie and knew the coaches high standards would help them reach their team and personal goals. Although it s wonderful to be recognized individually for your achievements, it s the team awards I especially enjoy, said Megan. Clinching three consecutive Southland Conference Championship titles, setting a new shutout record of 14 and maintaining an undefeated season on the road were huge for our team. We also had the highest National Soccer Coaches Association of America region ranking in program history. Brooke says the accomplishments have been even more rewarding because she and her sister have been able to share them. We are both defenders and are number 2 and 3 on the Ladyjack soccer team, Brooke said. On the field, we are in the backline together. Off the field, we are blessed to be able to support each other, as well. Both women say their SFA scholarships are a tremendous reason they have been successful in their studies. The scholarship I received from SFA allows me to focus on my school work without having to constantly worry about financial obligations, Megan said. The sisters already are planning for life after graduation from SFA, and continue to set high goals. I d love to continue my involvement with athletics by working as a dietitian for a university athletic program, Brooke said. Megan plans to become a pediatrician. She s already studying for the Medical College Admission Test and preparing to apply to medical schools. 17
PECAN PECAN RAGUET PINE BEALL NELSON DAVIS CALIFORNIA LLOYD COLLEGE NORTH ALUMNI RAGUET VISTA GRIFFITH CAROLYN CARDINAL UNIVERSITY FEAZELL BAKER CLARK RAGUET BLOUNT HAYTER WETTERMARK HAYTER GARNER UNIVERSITY WOODFOREST PINE CREST CREST VIEW CHESTNUT WILSON STARR NORTH STARR FREDONIA HORSESHOE MOUND ➋ ➊ ➋ ➋ ➊ ➐ TRACK AND FIELD AREA ➌ SPORTS VENUES ➊ Homer Bryce Stadium ➋ Press Box / Club Level and Suites ➌ William R. Johnson Coliseum ➍ Robert H. Shelton Gym ➎ Gerald and Candace Schlief Tennis Complex ➏ Soccer Field 13 ➌ ➐ Fletcher Garner Track LANANA CREEK PARKING ➍ ➍ ➎ ➎ ➏ INTRAMURAL FIELD STARR RUBY MIZE AZALEA GARDEN Hunts Woods Recreation Trails ➊ Elite Football Parking ➋ Special Football Parking ➌ Special Basketball Parking ➍ Tennis Parking ➎ Soccer Parking ➎ STARR 18 0 250 500 1,000 1,500 Feet September 29, 2011
R ecruited by 15-plus other universities, JOSHAWA WEST chose to attend Stephen F. Austin State University and play football because it was close to home, but not too close. The Angleton, Texas, native plays running back and is working toward a degree in history. He plans to graduate in 2017 and then teach high school and coach football. He says he wants to use his life experiences to help AGAINST ALL ODDS others achieve their dreams. The scholarship he received from SFA is making that possible. The youngest of five children, Joshawa grew up in a mostly one-parent household. His father worked a variety of jobs, including yard work and roofing. Money was tight, and so instead of paying a babysitter to keep Joshawa while his father worked, his dad would carry him along. My dad would tell me I needed to focus on college. He wanted me to see how hard he had to work so I would appreciate a better alternative. Joshawa didn t start playing football until the sixth grade. While most of his friends were already playing on the more advanced A team, Joshawa lacked the skills his friends had developed and played on the C team. Some of my friends would make fun of me, but it only made me want to work harder to get better. I started lifting weights and working jobs with my dad to get stronger. By the time I reached eighth grade, I had moved up to B team. During my ninth-grade year, I caught up. Hard times continued for the West family, and during his freshman year in high school, Joshawa had to work spring and summer to save enough money to help with expenses so he could play football during the fall. Working a summer job as a ranch hand on the outskirts of Angleton, Joshawa became close friends with the ranch owner and began to also work weekends to earn extra money. Later, with his father s permission, Joshawa moved in with the ranch owner and his wife so the couple could help him with his schoolwork and relieve some of the financial stress on the West family. During his senior year in high school, Joshawa was the starting running back and led his team to a 10-3 season. He completed 1,500 rushing yards, 400 receiving yards and 600 kick return yards, had 32 touchdowns, and was named an All-State running back. As number 23 on the SFA Lumberjack s football team, Joshawa has continued to excel. He says he loves SFA and his classes. SFA started out as a teacher s college, Joshawa said. So, I think when I start looking for a teaching position after graduation, that will really stand out on my résumé. 19
SFA Varsity Club 936.468.4540 varsityclub@sfasu.edu sfajacks.com