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Gorilla Nation
pittstateathleticfund.com
Table of Contents Letter from the Athletics Director ......................................................... 3 Staff Directory ..................................................................................... 4-5 Where We’re Headed ............................................................................ 6 Cost of Supporting a Gorilla .................................................................. 8-9 Annual Fund .......................................................................................... 11 Legacy Fund .......................................................................................... 12 Gorilla Gala .......................................................................................... 13 Sport-Specific Giving ............................................................................ 14 Community Partners & Sponsorships .................................................... 15 Facility Information .............................................................................. 17-19 Scholarship Support ............................................................................. 21 Equivalency Breakdown ......................................................................... 22 Academic Services & Support / SAAC .................................................... 23 Gorillas in the Community ..................................................................... 24 Thank You ............................................................................................. 27
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From the Athletics Director Dear Gorilla Nation,
We hope you find the information in the following pages informative and encouraging. Gorilla athletics will continue to flourish, but only with the help of our ardent supporters that make us Gorilla Nation. Several schools use that term, but here it is meaningful and substantive. Whether you make a small annual gift or a large “game-changer,” you are appreciated and important. Our goal is for every sport to experience NCAA post-season every year. At PSU, that goal is possible. Our goal is also for every student-athlete to graduate and grow as a person... again, that is possible. But, those goals will only be attained with your continued support. As operational costs increase and costs of scholarships continue to rise, growing our private giving levels is not only crucial, but necessary. PSU students are paying more than $1.75 million annually in student athletic fees, and we must continue to work to manage the growth of the fee by increasing private giving. Your help in this endeavor is needed and greatly appreciated. Thank you! OAGAAG!
Sincerely,
Jim Johnson Athletics Director Pittsburg State University
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Staff Directory Administration
Jim Johnson Athletics Director Russ Jewett Senior Associate Athletic Director / Head Cross Country, Track & Field Coach Natalie Cullen Senior Associate Athletic Director / Senior Woman Administrator Phil Carr Associate Athletic Director / Head Athletic Trainer Dan Wilkes Associate Athletic Director / Communications Tom Myers Associate Athletic Director / Facilities Marissa Poppe Assistant Athletic Director / Strategic Partnerships & Community Outreach Brad Wells Assistant Athletic Director / Operations Kendall Gammon Director of Major Gifts
Support Staff
Lacie Anderson Heidi Johnson Mark Darker Jill Minneman Kevin Kalm Carla Wehmeyer Mary Wolfe Scott Broyles Larry Polston Kelly Miller Chris Kelly Jenny Hellwig
Baseball
Matt Murray Aaron Meade
Football
Office and Special Events Manager & Human Resources Director of Media Relations & Promotions Director of Financial Operations Director of Ticket Operations Assistant Athletic Trainer Athletics Photographer Ticket Office Administrative Specialist Robert W. Plaster Center / Weede Building Manager Bicknell Sports Complex Grounds Manager Compliance and Academic Assistant Licensing & Trademarks Licensing & Trademarks
Head Coach Assistant Coach
Tim Beck Head Coach Dave Wiemers Assistant Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator Steve Rampy Assistant Coach / Offensive Coordinator
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Lance Cullen Assistant Coach Ryan Hellwig Assistant Coach Derrick Sherman Assistant Coach John Pierce Assistant Coach Carl Roth Assistant Coach Steve Wells Assistant Coach Larry Garman Assistant Coach
Men’s Basketball
Kevin Muff Ryan Stock Preston Ingram
Softball
Elizabeth Economon Molly Garst
Head Coach Assistant Coach Assistant Coach
Head Coach Assistant Coach
Cross Country / Track & Field
Russ Jewett Head Cross Country, Track & Field Coach Brian Mantooth Assistant Coach Kyle Rutledge Assistant Coach Matt Brown Assistant Coach
Volleyball
Jenny Mueller Skye Wade
Women’s Basketball Lane Lord Amanda Davied
Head Coach Assistant Coach
Head Coach Assistant Coach
Strength & Conditioning Matt Nelson
Director of Strength Training & Nutrition
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Where We’re Headed Pittsburg State University Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to the growth and success of its studentathletes. With the help of our generous donors and supportive fans, we have been able to compete and perform at a high level in the classroom, in the community, and athletically. In an effort to plan for the future of athletics at Pittsburg State University, a strategic plan was created to reinforce the vision and the future of Pittsburg State Athletics. The strategic plan highlights four priority areas: 1. Student-Athlete Experience 2. Culture of Integrity and Stewardship 3. Athletic Excellence 4. Advancement and Engagement The entire athletics strategic plan can be found online at pittstateathleticfund.com
Our Mission:
The athletics program provides a balanced and enriching intercollegiate athletics experience which augments academic learning and overall personal development by fostering an environment that promotes positive character, service to the community, sportsmanship, and engagement.
Ways to Give:
The Pitt State Athletic Fund encompasses all components of private giving which supports not only scholarships, but many other needs and costs that continue to rise annually and are essential for athletic and academic success. • Annual Fund • Gorilla Gala • Community Partners and Sponsorships • Sport-specific Giving • Sport-specific Donations • Gift-In-Kind
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Cost of Supporting a Gorilla Over the years, generous donors like you have helped support Pitt State Athletics through the Gorilla Gala, the annual fund, and other fundraising activities. Each year these gifts support student-athletes and coaches in many ways: • Scholarships • Recruit, retain, and reward the best coaches • Critical operational needs • Supplement travel • Purchase sports medicine equipment and resources • Upgrade facilities and equipment
Examples of what “IT” costs annually: Volleyball: 20 volleyballs x $40 = $800 20 court shoes x $95 = $1,900
Basketball: $10,000 per year to refinish Whetzel Court Baseball/Softball: 10 bats x $350 = $3,500 Approximately $42,000 per year for upkeep on Gene Bicknell Sports Complex Track: Uniform sets- $70 x 120 athletes = $8,400 One Collegiate Javelin = $700 Scholarships: In-State Tuition & Fees $6,230 Out-of-State Tuition & Fees $16,336 Room & Board $7,936 The equivalent of: one full in-state scholarship = $14,966 one full out-of-state scholarship = $25,072
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Cost of Outfitting a Football Player
Shoulder Pads: $250 Helmet: $250
Football: $100 Uniform: $230
Socks & Shoes: $120
Other Gear: Shirts/Shorts: $25 Sweatshirt/Sweatpants: $50 Game Bag: $50 Travel Suit: $110
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Annual Fund The Annual Fund component of the Pitt State Athletic Fund generates financial support for all Pittsburg State University studentathletes with a responsibility to facilitate, promote, and enhance academic and athletic experiences. The Annual Fund includes three components: season ticket donations, Gorilla Ambassadors, and the Pitt Legacy Fund. The Annual Fund is the primary source of private financial support for athletic programs at Pittsburg State each year. Each contribution helps provide necessary resources to recruit and retain quality student-athletes in order to maintain the high level of excellence expected in all 12 sports. Annual Fund gifts are used for student scholarships, student employment, and annual operating expenses.
Season Ticket Donations
Season ticket holders have the choice of Club Seating or Gorilla Seating on both the east and west sides of the stadium. Season ticket holders are especially important to Gorilla athletics because they are also contributors to the Annual Fund; the primary source of private financial support for athletic programs at Pittsburg State. A minimum donation to the Annual Fund is required of all season ticket holders in the sport of football only, in addition to the cost of the tickets. Club Seating requires a minimum donation of $500 and Gorilla Seating requires a minimum donation of $250. Season ticket holders who contribute $650 will receive a Gold Parking Pass which provides access to reserved parking near the stadium on both the east and west sides. All contributions are 80% tax deductible.
Gorillas Ambassadors
Gorilla Ambassadors was started several years ago by a group of boosters who desired to have an organization associated with Pitt State athletics. The goal of the Gorilla Ambassadors is to support Pitt State athletics both financially and in other ways. The Ambassadors program continues to grow and help enhance the annual success of fundraising for athletics, event attendance, and support of various other activities. Funds raised through the Ambassadors are spent at the sole discretion of the athletics director with input from the Ambassador membership. Membership in the Ambassador program is available at $250 annually and is 100% tax-deductible.
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[ ] Legacy Fund Levels: Post-Grad Level* Gorilla Level* Crimson Level Gold Level
$50 $100-$149 $150-$199 $200 and up
*Post-Grad Level - 50% discount on Gorilla Level for member in the first year following conclusion of participation *Gorilla Level - only those former studentathletes under the age of 30. (Based on age August 1 of membership year. The membership year runs August 1 - July 31.)
Legacy Fund Pitt Legacy Fund
The Pitt Legacy Fund is designed to establish a connection with former Gorilla student-athletes. It gives former student-athletes, regardless of age, an option to “give back” to PSU and help current Gorilla student-athletes continue working to build a highlysuccessful and highly visible broad-based Division II athletics program. The Pitt Legacy Fund provides an affordable option for former letter winners to make an initial annual gift that allows them the opportunity to gradually increase giving back to PSU over time. When a former student-athlete makes a gift, the gift is tax-deductible. Fifty percent of the gift will be placed in the athletics general scholarship fund that helps build the annual scholarship budget for all sports. The other 50% will be placed in the PSU Foundation account for the sport in which the donor participated. These funds supplement each sport’s annual operating budget for expenses such as equipment, travel, and recruiting. Recent Gorilla student-athletes can participate at any level, but levels are specially designated for those in their first year after participation and for those under the age of 30.
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Member benefits include:
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• Pitt State gift with initial membership • Invitation to Pitt State fall and spring family picnics (held in conjunction with Saturday athletic event) • Recognition in PSU publications as a Pitt Legacy Fund member • $25 voucher to be used at Gorilla Gala silent auction
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Gorilla Gala Gorilla Gala
The Gorilla Gala serves as the primary annual fundraising event for Pittsburg State University Athletics. The event is designed to supplement monies raised through the Annual Fund and other fundraising activities. The event is held annually each June.
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Giving: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” -Winston Churchill
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Sport-Specific Giving
Sport-Specific Giving
Sport-specific giving includes various promotions done throughout the year. These events include hit-a-thons, golf tournaments (such as the annual Gorilla Golf Invitational), drawings, calendar sales, etc.
Sport-Specific Donations
Gifts may be made directly to any sport program, the athletic training program, athletics marketing and communications, or the athletics general fund. Designated gifts to any of these programs are placed in the Foundation account that exists specifically for that program. Funds in these accounts are used at the discretion of the head coach (or account manager) with the approval of the Director of Athletics. These funds supplement the program’s annual operation for expenses such as equipment, recruiting, facility upgrades, summer financial aid for student-athletes, etc. Annual Gifts to these accounts contribute to the overall giving to the Pitt State Athletic Fund. Sport-specific donations are a component of that fund in the same manner as the Annual Fund (i.e. ticket access program, Gorilla Ambassadors, & Legacy Fund), corporate partners and sponsorships, Gorilla Gala, etc.
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Tradition: “Traditions are the guideposts driven deep in our subconscious minds. The most powerful ones are those we can’t even describe, aren’t even aware of.”
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Community Partners & Sponsorship Opportunities Our advertisers and community partners are a large part of the effort to make our programs at Pittsburg State great. Pittsburg State University athletics offer several sponsorship opportunities in a variety of options and prices. Sponsorship opportunities are available at each of the main sports venues for Pittsburg State athletics including Carnie Smith Stadium, Robert W. Plaster Center, John Lance Arena and the Gene Bicknell Sports Complex.
Carnie Smith Stadium
Recently ranked by Bleacher Report as one of the “Top 50 Stadiums to See Before You Die,” Carnie Smith Stadium is among the best venues for small college football in the nation. Sponsorship Opportunities: • Jungletron Advertising • Gorilla Gameday Program • In-Game Promotion Sponsor • Tailgater of the Game Sponsor • Educator of the Game Sponsor • Coach Tim Beck Radio Show Sponsor
John Lance Arena
Home to Gorilla basketball and volleyball, this historic arena recently underwent a $2 million renovation, and is now one of the premiere venues in the MIAA. Sponsorship Opportunities: • Scorer’s Table Signage • Gameday Program Sponsor • In-Game Promotion Sponsor • Scorecard Sponsor
pittstategorillas.com
Gene Bicknell Sports Complex
Home to Gorilla baseball and softball, this complex offers two of the best playing fields in the MIAA. Sponsorship Opportunities: • Field Signage • Scoreboard Signage • In-Game Promotion Sponsor • Scorecard Sponsor
Pittstategorillas.com is the main site for recent information about what is happening with Pitt State athletics. The site displays recent stories, videos, team schedules and much more. Sponsorship Opportunities: • Drop-down Menu Sponsor • “News Powered By” Sponsor • Top Page Sponsor • Weather Sponsor • Countdown Clock Sponsor • Many other opportunities
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Facility Information
Renovation of John Lance Arena / Whetzel Court
The renovation of the Garfield Weede Building began in the spring of 2012 with the removal of the hardwood floor, which served the facility since 1996. The indoor track that surrounded the court, as well as the original seating was also removed and replaced with 31,000 square feet of new maple hardwood. The new hardwood floor includes three basketball playing courts, two main basketball goals as well as an additional twelve goals for practices and camps, and as many as seven volleyball courts. New seating was installed, which includes chair backs in the lower level to compliment the mezzanine seating. In the fall of 2013, construction was completed on the Whetzel Mezzanine which includes basketball and volleyball head coaches offices and conference and media rooms. The offices overlook the court and feature a welcome area that displays the past honors of Pitt State Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Volleyball teams. The conference and media rooms provide additional areas for athletic department staff and coaches to conduct meetings, watch film, and hold post-game interviews with athletes. The addition of these offices and rooms help enhance the overall athletic experience for coaches, staff, and student-athletes.
Champions Club
The Champions Club overlooks Whetzel Court at John Lance Arena, it is 1,250 square feet in size and can accommodate up to 100 people. The Champions Club is available to rent during each basketball season. Our goal is to provide a fun and unique way to enjoy Pitt State Basketball. It is a great opportunity to show employee or customer appreciation, celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other event. The space is also available for luncheons, meetings, and workshops.
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Robert W. Plaster Center
Phase II of the Weede renovation is the addition of the Robert W. Plaster Center. Construction on the center began February 2014 and completed in April of 2015. The facility will enhance the everyday experience of current Gorilla student-athletes while providing a foundation for football, track, and other sports to use in recruiting future student-athletes. The Robert W. Plaster Center includes a 300-meter indoor track and a 100-yard turf field. It will also feature spacious football and track locker rooms, as well as a state-of-the-art weight training and nutrition facility to be used by all Gorilla student-athletes. The additional equipment and resources included in the new center will allow Pittsburg State University the opportunity to host a variety of local, regional, and national events. The center will be an attractive option for indoor track and field championships, indoor youth sporting events, gymnastics and cheer competitions, and events such as trade shows, conferences, and banquets.
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Renovation of Weede Dressing Rooms, Media Room & Athletic Sports Medicine Facility
The last phase of the Weede renovation will include renovation of the sports medicine areas currently in the Weede, the reconstruction of student-athlete dressing rooms for basketball and volleyball, and locker areas for officials and visiting teams. Finally, there will be a dramatic transformation of the current weight room into a state-of-the-art theater-style media facility for PSU athletic teams, campus, and public groups. Completion of the Weede renovation is not the end of construction. The focus will shift to seating, press box, and locker room needs for baseball and softball as well as renovation of the Carnie Smith Stadium press box. The campus master plan also includes the concept of a track and field stadium east of the Gene Bicknell Sports Complex.
Ongoing Facility Support
Construction is just part of the process to have the best facility “plant” in Division II athletics. Ongoing upkeep, renovation, and equipment are also necessary. Gifts may be made and restricted for any facility for annual needs like: • Equipment and furniture • Lockers • TV’s and other A/V needs • Field maintenance and floor refinishing • Press box renovations • Sports medicine and nutrition center supplies
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Scholarship Support Endowment for Excellence
From 1987 to 2012, the Endowment for Excellence in Athletics was a special program initiative to increase support for athletic scholarships. Local businessman and ardent Pitt State Athletics supporter Wayne Allai initiated the program, which has guaranteed crucial financial support for Gorilla athletic teams for the past quarter century. Wayne, a 1994 inductee into the PSU Athletics Hall of Fame for Meritorious Achievement, passed away on March 5, 2003. Wayne’s wife, Jan, and long-time Endowment supporter A.J. Menghini carried on the oversight of the Endowment for Excellence in Athletics program following his passing. Thanks to Wayne Allai’s vision, Pittsburg State University student-athletes will continue to benefit from the generosity of the Endowment for Excellence in Athletics donors who generously donated over 25 years. The program was sunset in 2012, but more than 75 scholarship endowments established during the 25 years continue to provide scholarship support.
Annual Scholarship Support
Pittsburg State University strives to fund scholarships for all sports at the maximum levels permitted by NCAA and MIAA rules. A large percentage of scholarships are funded through the “athletics fee” paid each semester by all PSU students. However, endowment scholarships can be established through the PSU Foundation and annual gifts can be made and restricted to scholarships. These type gifts are especially helpful as it relates to summer scholarship aid. To discuss scholarship donations, please contact Jim Johnson or Kendall Gammon.
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Equivalency Breakdown Athletic Grant-‐in-‐Aid Breakdown *These are student-‐athletes who are active participants but receiving no athletic aid. Therefore, they pay 100% of their educational costs and/or receive other types of non-‐athletic aid.
Number of Athletic Grant-‐in-‐Aid Awarded Per Sport Based on Percentage Amount of Full Scholarship (2014-‐2015)
Baseball Football Men's Basketball Men's Golf Men's Track/CC Softball Women's Basketball Women's Track/CC Women's Volleyball Total
0* 6 41 4 4 37 2 1 10 0 105
.01-‐.25 24 43 2 2 40 9 3 24 4 151
.26-‐.50 8 47 3 1 7 6 3 12 9 96
.51-‐.75 0 12 5 0 0 1 4 0 3 25
.76-‐.99 0 1 3 0 0 0 7 0 2 13
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total .01-‐1 32 103 13 3 47 16 17 36 18 285
Total 0-‐1 38 144 17 7 84 18 18 46 18 390
Number of Athletic Grant-‐in-‐Aid Awarded Per Sport Based on Percentage Amount of Full Scholarship (2013-‐2014)
Baseball Football Men's Basketball Men's Golf Men's Track/CC Softball Women's Basketball Women's Track/CC Women's Volleyball Total
0* 11 33 2 9 23 3 2 13 4 100
.01-‐.25 27 44 0 1 40 14 1 24 4 155
.26-‐.50 7 52 5 1 7 4 6 12 7 101
.51-‐.75 0 8 3 0 0 1 0 0 4 16
.76-‐.99 0 2 5 0 0 0 8 0 1 16
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total .01-‐1 34 106 13 2 47 19 15 36 16 288
Total 0-‐1 45 139 15 11 70 22 17 49 20 388
Number of Athletic Grant-‐in-‐Aid Awarded Per Sport Based on Percentage Amount of Full Scholarship (2012-‐2013)
Baseball Football Men's Basketball Men's Golf Men's Track/CC Softball Women's Basketball Women's Track/CC Women's Volleyball Total
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0* 9 40 1 5 18 2 1 8 4 88
.01-‐.25 26 37 0 4 41 14 1 24 3 150
.26-‐.50 5 41 7 1 9 5 8 15 8 99
.51-‐.75 0 15 2 0 0 1 0 0 3 21
.76-‐.99 0 4 5 0 0 0 7 0 2 18
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total .01-‐1 31 97 14 5 50 20 16 39 16 288
Total 0-‐1 40 137 15 10 68 22 17 47 20 376
Academic Services & Support / Student-Athlete Advisory Committee In 2010, Pittsburg State University converted a classroom in the Weede Building to an academic support center for student-athletes. The Student-Athlete Academic Center is open to student-athletes during the day and evenings. The Academic Center is equipped with several resources including ten computers, internet access, printing and study areas for student-athletes to prepare papers, study, and do research.
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Future Plans:
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• Academic services programming- including academic advising and support from faculty advisors, academic progress monitoring, and tutorial support • Career development • Upgraded equipment
Naming Rights:
An opportunity exists to have naming rights for the Student-Athlete Academic Center in return for providing funding to make new services and equipment possible. The terms of such an agreement are extremely flexible and could also include “cross-training” in the community to serve as professional development for studentathletes and staff members.
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
The Pitt State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight to their experience at Pittsburg State University. The Pitt State SAAC offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes’ everyday lives. The Pitt State SAAC offers student-athletes the opportunity to shape the landscape of intercollegiate athletics. The main functions of the SAAC include: • Promote communication between university administration and student-athletes • Provide feedback and insight into athletics issues • Generate a student-athlete voice within the athletics department • Build a sense of community within the athletics program involving all athletics teams • Solicit student-athlete responses to proposed conference and NCAA legislation • Organize community service efforts • Create a vehicle for student-athlete representation on campus-wide committees (ex. SGA) • Promote a positive student-athlete image on campus
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Gorillas in the Community MIAA SAAC Cup
The MIAA SAAC Cup is awarded annually to the school that generates the most points in five areas: community service, Make-A-Wish fundraising, attendance at MIAA SAAC events, participation in the NCAA Governance process and on campus SAAC meetings.
Mathletes
The Pittsburg State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) works to find ways for Pitt State student-athletes to be more involved in their community, more specifically in the local elementary schools. After looking at ideas from other schools and with input from education majors among the group, Mathletes was born in 2013. Knowing that math is a subject that some students struggle with throughout their academic careers, and is also a part of every sport, Pitt State studentathletes decided that math was the area they would focus their attention. Anything from adding yardage in a football game, figuring batting averages in baseball, or even multiplying points in basketball are all subjects covered in the Mathletes program. Student-athletes who volunteer for the program work with third grade students in each of the four Pittsburg elementary schools once a month during the schools 30-minute physical education period.
Gorillas Got Talent
Gorillas Got Talent is an annual event hosted by the Pittsburg State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Each athletic team performs a talent of their choice and attempts to raise the most money throughout the event in order to win and claim the title and bragging rights. Gorillas Got Talent is held to raise monies for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the main fundraising effort of Division II SAAC. Division II SAAC has raised more than $3 million toward granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Pitt State SAAC continues to make an impact on the money raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation along with other Division II schools.
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Thank You for your Continued Support We hope that this publication has increased your awareness of Pitt State Athletics and our plan for continued and future success. To achieve our goals, we need your support. Your continued donations to help support student-athletes, coaches, and the entire athletic program are appreciated.
Stay Connected
For more information, please visit us on the web: pittstateathleticfund.com or through social media facebook.com/PittsburgStateAthletics twitter.com/PittStGorillas twitter.com/GorillaGameDay You can also contact a member of the Pitt State Athletic Fund Advisory Board with questions: Lacie Anderson Wayne Gilmore Brian Pinamonti Joe Beitzinger Jim Johnson Diana Polston Steve Beykirch Brian Jones Marissa Poppe Mike Carpenter Chris Kelly Bob Stefanoni John Clark Mike Lewark Brian Sutton Joan Cleland Todd McKnight Brad Wells Mark Darker Jill Minneman Dan Wilkes Joe Dellasega Lisa Paterni Corey Williams Dennis Gatewood Questions?
Questions about Pittsburg State Athletics or for more information on how to participate in the Pitt State Athletic Fund, please contact Pittsburg State Athletics at 620-235-4389.
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