<p>Have seen a few parents mention that they've contributed/donated to their son/daughter's teams. Are these underfunded teams in all Divisions? Were you aware of that you would have to bring your checkbook to the clubhouse, boathouse, etc. before your S/D enrolled? Just curious about what may be expected at the college level. Thanks!</p>
<p>Every program fundraises.</p>
<p>Bumped into a casual friend a couple of weeks ago. He said he had recently attended a fundraiser for his daughter’s team. In addition to the coast of attending said fundraiser, he was expected to write a check that night too, which surprised him. I was surprised that this Ivy program expected cash from the parents. Some recent posts here on CC have mentioned contributing/donations too. I guess I’m naive about college sports, but how much fundraising goes on? How many checks are written per season? I know some (many? most?) college programs are underfunded, but how much do parents contribute?</p>
<p>It’s completely voluntary, of course. “Friends of Princeton Tennis” or Yale track may raise funds to pay for the team to compete in Europe, for example.</p>
<p>My kids were/are in non helmet sport. I know the sport costs the schools money every year.</p>
<p>Older son went to an Ivy. We were expected to pay flights and hotel for winter training and the per diem for food was not nearly enough. (Hotel alone was $900) He ended up leaving the team so I don’t know what else was expected in terms of fund raising.</p>
<p>Younger son is at an NAIA school. So far, the team booster club has asked for $100, from what I hear for Sr gifts and banquet. They have been on several travel trips-2 students to a hotel room vs. 4 at the Ivy. Meal per diem is generous. Son has been fully outfitted with warm ups, bags, and enough t-shirts that he does not have to do much laundry. My son has had a generous budget while hosting recruits. </p>
<p>I think each school/sport is different. Athletic depts support sports differently so yet another thing to consider while looking at schools. I assumed, wrongly, DI paid for their athletes to train/compete. We were not full pay as many here are and that extra $2k at Christmas time was hard.</p>
<p>We have not been asked to contribute to the team–yet there has been nothing “free”. No free gear at all…We paid for fall uniform and some shirts the team designed/ordered. We will see how winter training, spring break (all training no break) and spring rolls out…what we will be asked to do.</p>
<p>Got an email from a parent about the team parents contributing towards food for away games…and we will make out contribution. I was surprised to hear that parents contributed to the food etc. </p>
<p>As far as travel–the one away game our student went to --the athletes were 2 to a room. They were given a per diem/cash for buying their lunch and dinner.</p>
<p>I just read that ONE THIRD of the University of Texas athletics program budget of $127 million was raised through donations!</p>
<p>The football program brought in about $95 million. NO tax dollars are used for the sports programs. In fact, the football program gave the University over $6 million. Another $6 million dollars went towards University expenses (parking, offices, etc.). </p>
<p>So when people complain about Mack Brown’s salary ($5 million), they need to realize that during his tenure revenues have increased by a factor of FOUR! He’s earning his money.</p>
<p>Interesting to hear your experiences with fundraising. So wrapped up with the OV’s, applications, essays, etc. that hadn’t given much thought to team costs next year and beyond. Several friends have spoken about paying for winter training trips, so that doesn’t surprise, but will be curious to see what’s expected. Thanks for sharing!</p>
<p>I have a senior Ivy athlete and haven’t paid a dime for anything, including international team travel, and trip to NCAA Nationals. We haven’t been asked. I know parents bring treats for the team at times, but that’s voluntary. Interesting subject.</p>
<p>Wow, this topic is a huge shock to me! I’ve heard of parents contributing for club sport participation and for Div. 3 (eg. uniforms), but never anything for Div. 1. D is at a big Div. 1 and we have never been asked for a cent. And, she has gotten a lot of free stuff. Could we please have some school names and sports mentioned so recruits can beware?</p>
<p>Both my kids teams fundraise, one is a D1 program and they run a big golf tournament/auction to bring in added funds. On tournaments often times a parent will pay for the team and coaches meal at dinner to help out. Just an option that we all choose to do to help out. Daughter plays NAIA and they do an “adopt” a player. Cost has been minor. No expenses for either for travel, uniform, food housing etc…</p>
<p>My daughter’s DI team did a fundraiser this fall of booster type items, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, etc. Each girl was expected to sell a certain amount, which was really not difficult to reach, I think we bought double that amount. My daughter has received an impressive array of gear, but has also purchased a few things, like shoes and backpack. I am told that t-shirts, pinnies and other items are ordered for different events, which we will also purchase. We do have a parents group that does tailgates for their events. So far, the parents who are local to the event have taken care of all that, as we will do when the team is down south for an event. My daughter has traveled once, all expenses covered. Nothing has been said about expenses for training trip, so I am assuming that is covered also.</p>
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<p>Whaaaat? That’s crazy. I’ve never heard of a D1 program expecting parents to pay any costs. Now if you choose to attend a fundraiser it seems reasonable to assume you may be asked for a contribution at some point in the evening.</p>
<p>D3 non revenue sport here.</p>
<p>Last year, as freshman, we got a generic request for donations from the athletic dept. and donated a small amount to the team. This year, got a letter from the coach asking for donations for a couple of specific expenses, both of which would add to, but is not necessary for the functioning of the team, and we gave a larger amount. Voluntary.</p>
<p>DS gets all his equipment (except couple of small items) provided and all travel expenses covered. As we were spending close to 10K/year prior to his matriculation, we feel like we’re still getting a deal and will likely donate more.</p>
<p>D1 female – travel is usually three to a room. They typically don’t get in room internet negotiated into the rate. I’d like to see them have that so they can keep up to date with the schoolwork.</p>
<p>The parents are asked to contribute to Friends of and a couple of other fundraisers (one based on scoring). There is currently a Fundraiser for international travel in the next season. Yep, we also have spirit wear sales.</p>
<p>Our tailgates are a big deal and we have a significant percentage of parents who travel to games. This is a very involved and supportive group.</p>
<p>I have also spoken to parents who tailgate and attend events close to home. I expected that of course. I also expected there to be some miscellaneous expenses that may not be entirely covered by tuition/fees. I guess I was somewhat surprised by the thought of other types of fundraising and donations. Not the t-shirt/hoodie kind of fundraising, more the bringing your checkbook kind. Again, thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>At the Ivies, is it mostly the teams of prep school sports that are doing this, like fencing, rowing, squash? Surely not for basketball, football, track?</p>
<p>Most, if not all, sports fundraise at the Ivies. Fundraising is needed in part because fundraising is an institutional tradition (one can never have enough money!) And in part because the Ivies by rule have fewer paid coaches in major sports (e.g., baseball) than the NCAA allows and then turn around and recruit volunteer coaches to fill the void… The donated money allegedly goes to pay the hard costs (e.g., travel) of the volunteer coaches. (I say “allegedly” because I have never seen an accounting for the donated money.). When we won the league championship last year, the parents were asked to kick in to buy the rings (after all the 2.7 BILLION increase in the 16+ BILLION endowment couldn’t be used to cover the 18k ring expense). While I find the fundraising attempts annoying and “cheeky”, there is no real pressure or quota to contribute beyond the request and your guilt.</p>
<p>Nice to be prepared with the notion of fundraising/donations. Thanks for your candor.</p>
<p>I will add that the level of parent involvement has been much higher than anticipated. When I look around at our team, parents, and league championship, I can’t help but think that our coach gave good thought to the character of the families. It’s a great group but we didn’t foresee this level of involvement!</p>
<p>Our calendar year’s donations (checks plus an auction) will be $1200+ but that’s nothing compared to our travel costs!</p>