sfa varsity club
SFA VARSITY CLUB 2017-18 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE
sfajacks.com / 1
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hanks for your support of 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 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
TABLE OF CONTENTS 04
Our Mission
04
Important Dates
06
Students Attend College to Learn and Get a Degree
07
Championships Begin with Scholarships
08
You’re a Member of SFA’s Team
09
Lend Your Support
10
SFA Athletics: The Pinnacle of the Southland Conference — Three Years Running
11
Football: We Are One
12
Back the Home Team: Brick by Brick
14
The Touchdown Club
14
The SFA Varsity Club
15
SFA Varsity Club Membership Benefits
16
Recent Accomplishments
17
Ladyjack Soccer
18
Ticket Information
18
Ways to Give
19
Sports Venues and Parking Map
sfajacks.com / 3
OUR MISSION The SFA Varsity Club provides the resources needed to enrich the lives of our student-athletes. Club assistance helps them 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.
IMPORTANT DATES
AUG
Program Recognition Deadline
AUG
FOOTBALL Season Ticket Renewal Deadline
01
01
4 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
OCT
07
OC T
01
Battle of the Piney Woods NRG Stadium Houston, Texas
BASKETBALL Season Ticket Renewal Deadline
OCT
21
HOMECOMING WEEKEND SFA Football vs. Houston Baptist University
FEB
01
BASEBALL Season Ticket Renewal Deadline sfajacks.com / 5
STUDENTS ATTEND COLLEGE TO LEARN AND GE T A DEGREE. College would not be possible for thousands of students without the aid of scholarships. In particular, athletic scholarships help SFA’s student-athletes achieve their dreams of a quality college education. Both inside and outside the classroom, SFA student-athletes excel. They are strong, disciplined achievers who know how to stay focused and lead. ➔ Football’s Marlon Walls earned his share of academic honors during the 2016-17 academic year, being named a first-team Academic AllAmerican by the College Sports Information Directors of America, the first in Lumberjack football program history. An engineering physics major with a 4.0 GPA, Walls also was named the Southland Conference’s Student-Athlete of the Year for football, as well as a Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star, a finalist for the Football Championship Subdivision Doris Robinson Award and a nominee for the American Football Coaches Association Good Works team.
KELSI ANDERSON / Ladyjack Bowling Health Science Junior / San Antonio, Texas
HANNA BARKER / Ladyjack Soccer Kinesiology Junior / Farmers Branch, Texas
“I have wanted to bowl collegiately for as long as I can remember. Receiving this scholarship has helped me live my dream.”
“I want to thank the athletic scholarship donors for their generosity. They have greatly contributed to my success as a student and as an athlete. I’ve been able to compete and grow as a person while pursuing my academic goals in an atmosphere that feels like home.”
6 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
CHAMPIONSHIPS BEGIN WI TH SCHOLARSHIPS. Your donation helps SFA’s student-athletes achieve amazing things.
Women’s SLC Cross-Country 2016 Champions
During the 2016-17 academic year, more than 350 student-athletes representing all 17 Lumberjack and Ladyjack sports teams were named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Lumberjack athletes are some of the most successful students on the field and in the classroom. As a group, SFA’s student-athletes maintain almost a cumulative 3.0 GPA each semester with half of all athletes annually making the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.
Women’s SLC Outdoor Track and Field 2017 Champions
SFA’s athletics program has one of the highest six-year graduation success rates in the Southland Conference, and in the past year, more than 100 student-athletes have graduated, with many completing their degrees in fewer than four years and now pursuing graduate work at SFA.
TY CHARLES / Lumberjack Basketball Kinesiology Junior / Kennedale, Texas
AMBER LANDRY / Ladyjack Softball Kinesiology Junior / Ponchatoula, Louisiana
“Receiving a full athletic scholarship to SFA has been a blessing. Great teammates, who have become my brothers, and coaches, who truly care about me, push me to be my best. I love everything about being at SFA.”
“As a transfer student-athlete coming from a small town in Louisiana to SFA, my scholarship is superimportant to me. It keeps me focused academically. I love SFA’s campus and the hometown atmosphere of Nacogdoches. It feels like I never left home!”
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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 400 SFA student-athletes across 17 varsity sports, we must make every dollar count. Charles Mathenge, SLC Cross-Country Men’s 8,000-Meter Individual Champion – 2016
KENNEDY HARRIS / Ladyjack Basketball Biology Sophomore / Austin, Texas “I came to SFA to continue playing the sport I love with a program known for its winning tradition. I also have been able to pursue my academic goals while working toward someday becoming a medical doctor. SFA provides the best of both worlds — a superior education with professors who care about you and your success and coaches who want you to reach your full potential both on and off the court.” 8 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
KAJA LJUBIC / Ladyjack Tennis Kinesiology Sophomore / Ljubljana, Slovenia “I feel like I’ve become part of a new family. The girls on the tennis team and my coaches have been very supportive and helpful in every way. I have gained confidence in my sport and as a student. Leaving my country and traveling so far away was scary. However, I feel absolutely at home here.”
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 career development activities Summer scholarships and programs.
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!
ERICA LAUTENSACK / Ladyjack Golf Business Management Sophomore / Arlington, Texas “Being a member of the golf team has given me the opportunity to make lifelong friends and further my education. I love SFA because of the beautiful campus and the friendly Nacogdoches community. The coaches are great, and my teammates have made my college experience incredibly memorable.”
JORDAN WASHINGTON Lumberjack Track and Field Kinesiology Sophomore / Lufkin, Texas “Since my junior year of high school, I knew I wanted to run collegiate track. During my senior year, I started receiving offers, so I had to start looking at schools. SFA stood out because everyone was kindhearted and welcoming. I also am thankful to the scholarship donors. Without my scholarship, I would be in tons of debt.” sfajacks.com / 9
SFA ATHLE TICS: THE PINNACLE OF THE SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE — THREE YEARS RUNNING. Once again, SFA Athletics clinched the Southland Conference’s Commissioner’s Cup, a feat the program has repeated three consecutive years. The Commissioner’s Cup is annually awarded to the university compiling the highest combined
QUINLIN MCGREGOR Lumberjack Track and Field and Cross-Country Kinesiology Senior / Amarillo, Texas “I decided to attend SFA within hours of my first visit. There was something about the school that really pulled me in. Receiving my athletic scholarship has helped me focus exclusively on academics and sports. Without the scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to excel at both. I also have been blessed to meet other student-athletes who have become my brothers and sisters.” 10 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
total of men’s and women’s all-sports points among the 13 schools that compete in the Southland Conference. For 201617, SFA bested its competitors with a combined men’s and women’s score of 125.
PEYTON REDMOND / Ladyjack Volleyball Sports Business Sophomore / Liberty Hill, Texas “SFA has felt like home to me since the first day I arrived. Every day, I am pushed to be better than I was before, and I’m so grateful to have coaches and teammates at SFA who bring out the qualities in me that I didn’t even know existed. I am proud to be a Ladyjack.”
FOOTBALL: WE ARE ONE
MARLON WALLS / Lumberjack Football Engineering Physics Senior / Pearland, Texas “If you want to be great at anything in life, it all comes down to one word: Consistency. This quote has helped keep me motivated and determined to reach my potential. My athletic scholarship has provided the funding to engage in athletic competition while pursing my degree in engineering physics. I have to put in a lot of study time to maintain my grades, and I am very appreciative to the scholarship donors for contributing to my success.”
“This program means a great deal to a lot of people, and when you put on that Lumberjack uniform, there is a great deal of responsibility that comes along with that. You are playing for something bigger than you. We have a great tradition and legacy here, and we need to build upon that and stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us.” Head Football Coach Clint Conque sfajacks.com / 11
BACK THE HOME TEAM: BRICK BY BRICK The SFA Lumberjack baseball team needs your support. The team’s temporary facility at Jaycees Field is in need of replacement. Fundraising has been ongoing, and almost half of the total investment to build the new Robert “Bob” and Tyann Akins Clubhouse has been secured. However, $320,000 is still needed. In order to make this dream a reality, SFA is reaching out to alumni and friends to ask for your financial support by purchasing $1,000 engraved bricks that will become part of the new clubhouse. Donors also may consider purchasing additional bricks to honor family members, teammates and friends. In addition, donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. Once constructed, the new clubhouse will be named in honor of Bob and Tyann Akins. The facility will provide dressing and training rooms, office and storage space, and upgrade amenities to help the university continue to attract the best student-athletes. Bob Akins, a 1958 SFA alumnus and football letterman, was a highly successful high school baseball coach and member of the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He was an avid supporter of Lumberjack baseball. Akins volunteered many service hours overseeing the maintenance of the Lumberjack’s baseball facility. Until his death in 2013, Akins, along with his son, Stacy, was a fixture in the stands, cheering the Lumberjacks on to victory.
TYLER STARKS / Lumberjack Baseball Sports Business Sophomore / Mesquite, Texas “My scholarship has allowed me to continue my dream of playing the game I love in this special program.”
12 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
PROPOSED CLUBHOUSE FLOOR PLAN
A MESSAGE FROM THE COACH “Thank you to our loyal alumni, friends and fans for considering this opportunity to support Lumberjack baseball. Your donations will help build a new clubhouse that will tremendously benefit our players by supplying them with a modern facility to train and prepare for games. In addition, it will assist the coaching staff in continuing to recruit the best Lumberjacks to SFA.”
- Johnny Cardenas, Lumberjack baseball head coach
HELP US HIT A GRAND SLAM Make a secure online gift at sfasu.edu/give. All gifts are tax deductible. For more information, please contact Ted Smith, director of athletic development, at (936) 468-7105 or [email protected].
TIERRA WILSON / Ladyjack Track and Field Kinesiology Sophomore / Henderson, Texas “Being a student-athlete at SFA not only challenges me physically but also mentally. The opportunities I have been given are beyond what I ever imagined. Traveling to other states, making friends and opening doors to opportunities outside of athletics have helped me grow as a person. None of this would have been possible without God, my coaches and the scholarship donors.”
ZACH SUDINSKY / Lumberjack Golf Sports Business Freshman / McKinney, Texas “Golf is an expensive sport. Through the years, my parents have spent a lot of money so I could compete. Now that I’m at SFA, my athletic scholarship supports my involvement with golf. I am forever grateful to the scholarship donors for their financial support. With my scholarship, my parents don’t have to worry about paying for my education, and they know that I’m kind of paying my on way now. It’s a good feeling.” sfajacks.com / 13
THE TOUCHDOWN CLUB Perks of membership in the Touchdown Club are extensive and include 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. Additionally, for each seat purchased, club members receive a complimentary ticket to the Battle of the Piney Woods game held at NRG Stadium in Houston. Members also enjoy elite game-day parking and invitations to select athletic events. This is a non-tax-deductible level. For more information, contact Ted Smith, director of athletic development, at [email protected] or (936) 468-7105.
THE SFA VARSITY CLUB Depending on your level of giving, you may receive complimentary season tickets to Lumberjack football, baseball and/or basketball games. 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 those reduced rates. Football season ticket holders view games from reserved seats on the home team side between the 40-yard lines. Chairback seats are based on availability and reserved only for SFA Varsity Club members. 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.
CAELIDH ROSS Ladyjack Track and Field and Cross-Country Kinesiology Freshman / Nottinghamshire, England “I am very grateful for my athletic scholarship. I wouldn’t have been able to come to the United States and attend college without it. My professors and coaches have kept me motivated in the classroom and during athletic competitions. It has been an exciting experience so far and provided me with an opportunity not many student-athletes receive.” 14 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
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 hors d’oeuvre buffet and drinks. All SFA Varsity Club members receive program recognition and invitations to special athletic events. Note: The deadline for football season ticket renewal for current members and for football program recognition for the SFA Varsity Club is Aug. 1.
SFA VARSI TY CLUB MEMBERSHIP BENEFI TS Benefits
Student
Associate
Jr. Varsity
Varsity
Purple & White
Victory
MVP
AllAmerican
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
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Away Game Ticket Information
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Game-Day Media Guides
Reserved Season Tickets** 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
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*Based on availability; placed on waiting list **Please note: Season ticket holders may select from football, basketball, baseball or a combination. Battle of the Piney Woods does not apply.
sfajacks.com / 15
RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS Overall
Football
SLC Commissioner’s Cup Champions – 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017 Men’s Basketball
Marlon Walls, CoSIDA First-Team Academic All-American (first in program history), SLC Football Student-Athlete of the Year, FCS ADA All-Star and AFCA Good Works Team Nominee – 2016
Regular-Season SLC Champions – 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
John Franklin, First-Team All-SLC and Academic All-SLC – 2016
SLC Tournament Champions – 2014, 2015, 2016
Kedrick Harrison, Josh Keith and Trae Hart, Second-Team All-SLC – 2016
NCAA Tournament appearance – 2014, 2015, 2016
Zach Conque, NFL free agent signee with Houston Texans – 2017
Advanced to round two of NCAA Tournament – 2014, 2016
Men’s Golf
Women’s Basketball
SLC Tournament Runner-Up – 2017
Taylor Ross, SLC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year – 2017
Major Monzingo, SLC First-Team Selection, Academic All-SLC – 2017
Bowling
Baxter Ward, CoSIDA Academic All-District, Academic All-SLC – 2017
Paige Kraushaar, NTCA All-American Honorable Mention – 2015, 2017
Soccer
Stephanie Schwartz, NTCA First-Team All-American, Second-Team USBC All-American, Member of Team USA and Junior Team USA – 2017
Hanna Barker, SLC Soccer Midfielder of the Year – 2016
NCAA National Champions (SFA’s first at the Division I team level) – 2016
Hanna Barker, Amanda Doyle, Brooke Dunnigan and Breanna Moore, SLC First-Team All-Conference – 2016
Stephanie Schwartz, NTCA National Player of the Year, U.S. Amateur Champion and Team USA Member – 2016
Kelly Ann Craig and Lillie Ehlert, SLC Second-Team All-Conference – 2016
Kiara Grant, NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player – 2016
Regular-Season SLC Champions – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Men’s Cross-Country
Track and Field
SLC Runner-Up – 2016
Women’s Outdoor SLC Champions – 2017
Charles Mathenge, SLC Cross-Country Athlete of the Year, SLC Cross-Country Men’s 8,000-Meter Individual Champion – 2016
Will Gibson, Men’s 400-Meter Dash Outdoor Champion – 2017
Brandt Preston, SLC Cross-Country Male Freshman of the Year – 2016 Charles Mathenge, NCAA Nationals qualifier – 2014, 2015 Women’s Cross-Country SLC Women’s Cross-Country Team Champions – 2016 Taryn Surratt, SLC Cross-Country Female Freshman of the Year – 2016 Cody Clark, SLC Cross-Country Women’s Coach of the Year – 2016
Bailey Bosley, SLC Honorable Mention All-Conference – 2016
Hunter Key, Men’s Outdoor Decathlon Champion – 2017 Isaiah Pittman, Men’s Long Jump Outdoor Champion – 2017 Men’s Outdoor SLC Champions – 2015, 2016 Men’s and Women’s Indoor and Outdoor Total SLC Championships – 23 Volleyball SLC Regular-Season Runner-Up – 2016 Justice Walker, All-SLC First-Team Selection – 2016 Ann Holla, SLC Volleyball Freshman of the Year – 2016 Lexus Cain, All-SLC Second-Team Selection – 2016
16 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
LADYJACK SOCCER FIVE-PEAT SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE REGULARSEASON CHAMPIONS 2011-15
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TICKET INFORMATION Tickets to all SFA athletic 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 are 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 [email protected].
FOR MORE INFORMATION TYLER BOONE
Director of Athletic Development sfajacks.com/varsityclub [email protected] (936) 468-7105
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 or have your entire contribution go to the department. 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." Please detail in the note section to which sport you would like to donate along with special instructions. 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.
18 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
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 advisor 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 advisor 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.
ELM
BOWIE
SFA PINEYWOODS NATIVE PLANT CENTER
SPORTS VENUES AND PARKING MAP PINE
WOODF
OREST
BE
ALL
NELSON
SPORTS VENUES RAGUET
DAVIS
PECAN
PECAN
CR E
ST
➌ William R. Johnson Coliseum
VIEW
➍ Robert H. Shelton Gym ➎ Gerald and Candace Schlief Tennis Complex
➋
HAYTER
HAYTER
ST
BLOUNT
RE E C PIN
➋ ➊ ➐
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➋ Press Box / Club Level and Suites
SITY UNIVER
➊➊
CALIFORNIA
LLOYD
➊ Homer Bryce Stadium
TRACK AND FIELD AREA
➌
➏ Soccer Field
WETTERMARK
CHESTNUT
➐ Fletcher Garner Track
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➌
PARKING
LANANA CR
RAGUET
NORTH
➊ Elite Football Parking ALUMNI
EEK
ST A VI
➌ Special Basketball Parking
UNIVER
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➋ Special Football Parking RUBY MIZE AZALEA GARDEN
SITY
➍ Tennis Parking
➎
➏
➍
STARR
INTRAMURAL FIELD
CA RD INA L
SE SHOE R
WILSON
RAGUE T
GRIFFITH
➎ Soccer Parking
Hunts Woods Recreation Trails
➎
HO
➍
CAROLYN
CLARK
FEAZELL
R
➎
BAKER
NORTH
AR ST
STARR
GARNER
MOUND
FREDONIA
STARR
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250
500
1,000
September 29, 2011
1,500 Feet
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sfajacks.com
20 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
sfajacks.com / 1
T
hanks for your support of 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 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
TABLE OF CONTENTS 04
Our Mission
04
Important Dates
06
Students Attend College to Learn and Get a Degree
07
Championships Begin with Scholarships
08
You’re a Member of SFA’s Team
09
Lend Your Support
10
SFA Athletics: The Pinnacle of the Southland Conference — Three Years Running
11
Football: We Are One
12
Back the Home Team: Brick by Brick
14
The Touchdown Club
14
The SFA Varsity Club
15
SFA Varsity Club Membership Benefits
16
Recent Accomplishments
17
Ladyjack Soccer
18
Ticket Information
18
Ways to Give
19
Sports Venues and Parking Map
sfajacks.com / 3
OUR MISSION The SFA Varsity Club provides the resources needed to enrich the lives of our student-athletes. Club assistance helps them 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.
IMPORTANT DATES
AUG
Program Recognition Deadline
AUG
FOOTBALL Season Ticket Renewal Deadline
01
01
4 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
OCT
07
OC T
01
Battle of the Piney Woods NRG Stadium Houston, Texas
BASKETBALL Season Ticket Renewal Deadline
OCT
21
HOMECOMING WEEKEND SFA Football vs. Houston Baptist University
FEB
01
BASEBALL Season Ticket Renewal Deadline sfajacks.com / 5
STUDENTS ATTEND COLLEGE TO LEARN AND GE T A DEGREE. College would not be possible for thousands of students without the aid of scholarships. In particular, athletic scholarships help SFA’s student-athletes achieve their dreams of a quality college education. Both inside and outside the classroom, SFA student-athletes excel. They are strong, disciplined achievers who know how to stay focused and lead. ➔ Football’s Marlon Walls earned his share of academic honors during the 2016-17 academic year, being named a first-team Academic AllAmerican by the College Sports Information Directors of America, the first in Lumberjack football program history. An engineering physics major with a 4.0 GPA, Walls also was named the Southland Conference’s Student-Athlete of the Year for football, as well as a Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star, a finalist for the Football Championship Subdivision Doris Robinson Award and a nominee for the American Football Coaches Association Good Works team.
KELSI ANDERSON / Ladyjack Bowling Health Science Junior / San Antonio, Texas
HANNA BARKER / Ladyjack Soccer Kinesiology Junior / Farmers Branch, Texas
“I have wanted to bowl collegiately for as long as I can remember. Receiving this scholarship has helped me live my dream.”
“I want to thank the athletic scholarship donors for their generosity. They have greatly contributed to my success as a student and as an athlete. I’ve been able to compete and grow as a person while pursuing my academic goals in an atmosphere that feels like home.”
6 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
CHAMPIONSHIPS BEGIN WI TH SCHOLARSHIPS. Your donation helps SFA’s student-athletes achieve amazing things.
Women’s SLC Cross-Country 2016 Champions
During the 2016-17 academic year, more than 350 student-athletes representing all 17 Lumberjack and Ladyjack sports teams were named to the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Lumberjack athletes are some of the most successful students on the field and in the classroom. As a group, SFA’s student-athletes maintain almost a cumulative 3.0 GPA each semester with half of all athletes annually making the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.
Women’s SLC Outdoor Track and Field 2017 Champions
SFA’s athletics program has one of the highest six-year graduation success rates in the Southland Conference, and in the past year, more than 100 student-athletes have graduated, with many completing their degrees in fewer than four years and now pursuing graduate work at SFA.
TY CHARLES / Lumberjack Basketball Kinesiology Junior / Kennedale, Texas
AMBER LANDRY / Ladyjack Softball Kinesiology Junior / Ponchatoula, Louisiana
“Receiving a full athletic scholarship to SFA has been a blessing. Great teammates, who have become my brothers, and coaches, who truly care about me, push me to be my best. I love everything about being at SFA.”
“As a transfer student-athlete coming from a small town in Louisiana to SFA, my scholarship is superimportant to me. It keeps me focused academically. I love SFA’s campus and the hometown atmosphere of Nacogdoches. It feels like I never left home!”
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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 400 SFA student-athletes across 17 varsity sports, we must make every dollar count. Charles Mathenge, SLC Cross-Country Men’s 8,000-Meter Individual Champion – 2016
KENNEDY HARRIS / Ladyjack Basketball Biology Sophomore / Austin, Texas “I came to SFA to continue playing the sport I love with a program known for its winning tradition. I also have been able to pursue my academic goals while working toward someday becoming a medical doctor. SFA provides the best of both worlds — a superior education with professors who care about you and your success and coaches who want you to reach your full potential both on and off the court.” 8 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
KAJA LJUBIC / Ladyjack Tennis Kinesiology Sophomore / Ljubljana, Slovenia “I feel like I’ve become part of a new family. The girls on the tennis team and my coaches have been very supportive and helpful in every way. I have gained confidence in my sport and as a student. Leaving my country and traveling so far away was scary. However, I feel absolutely at home here.”
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 career development activities Summer scholarships and programs.
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!
ERICA LAUTENSACK / Ladyjack Golf Business Management Sophomore / Arlington, Texas “Being a member of the golf team has given me the opportunity to make lifelong friends and further my education. I love SFA because of the beautiful campus and the friendly Nacogdoches community. The coaches are great, and my teammates have made my college experience incredibly memorable.”
JORDAN WASHINGTON Lumberjack Track and Field Kinesiology Sophomore / Lufkin, Texas “Since my junior year of high school, I knew I wanted to run collegiate track. During my senior year, I started receiving offers, so I had to start looking at schools. SFA stood out because everyone was kindhearted and welcoming. I also am thankful to the scholarship donors. Without my scholarship, I would be in tons of debt.” sfajacks.com / 9
SFA ATHLE TICS: THE PINNACLE OF THE SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE — THREE YEARS RUNNING. Once again, SFA Athletics clinched the Southland Conference’s Commissioner’s Cup, a feat the program has repeated three consecutive years. The Commissioner’s Cup is annually awarded to the university compiling the highest combined
QUINLIN MCGREGOR Lumberjack Track and Field and Cross-Country Kinesiology Senior / Amarillo, Texas “I decided to attend SFA within hours of my first visit. There was something about the school that really pulled me in. Receiving my athletic scholarship has helped me focus exclusively on academics and sports. Without the scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to excel at both. I also have been blessed to meet other student-athletes who have become my brothers and sisters.” 10 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
total of men’s and women’s all-sports points among the 13 schools that compete in the Southland Conference. For 201617, SFA bested its competitors with a combined men’s and women’s score of 125.
PEYTON REDMOND / Ladyjack Volleyball Sports Business Sophomore / Liberty Hill, Texas “SFA has felt like home to me since the first day I arrived. Every day, I am pushed to be better than I was before, and I’m so grateful to have coaches and teammates at SFA who bring out the qualities in me that I didn’t even know existed. I am proud to be a Ladyjack.”
FOOTBALL: WE ARE ONE
MARLON WALLS / Lumberjack Football Engineering Physics Senior / Pearland, Texas “If you want to be great at anything in life, it all comes down to one word: Consistency. This quote has helped keep me motivated and determined to reach my potential. My athletic scholarship has provided the funding to engage in athletic competition while pursing my degree in engineering physics. I have to put in a lot of study time to maintain my grades, and I am very appreciative to the scholarship donors for contributing to my success.”
“This program means a great deal to a lot of people, and when you put on that Lumberjack uniform, there is a great deal of responsibility that comes along with that. You are playing for something bigger than you. We have a great tradition and legacy here, and we need to build upon that and stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us.” Head Football Coach Clint Conque sfajacks.com / 11
BACK THE HOME TEAM: BRICK BY BRICK The SFA Lumberjack baseball team needs your support. The team’s temporary facility at Jaycees Field is in need of replacement. Fundraising has been ongoing, and almost half of the total investment to build the new Robert “Bob” and Tyann Akins Clubhouse has been secured. However, $320,000 is still needed. In order to make this dream a reality, SFA is reaching out to alumni and friends to ask for your financial support by purchasing $1,000 engraved bricks that will become part of the new clubhouse. Donors also may consider purchasing additional bricks to honor family members, teammates and friends. In addition, donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. Once constructed, the new clubhouse will be named in honor of Bob and Tyann Akins. The facility will provide dressing and training rooms, office and storage space, and upgrade amenities to help the university continue to attract the best student-athletes. Bob Akins, a 1958 SFA alumnus and football letterman, was a highly successful high school baseball coach and member of the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He was an avid supporter of Lumberjack baseball. Akins volunteered many service hours overseeing the maintenance of the Lumberjack’s baseball facility. Until his death in 2013, Akins, along with his son, Stacy, was a fixture in the stands, cheering the Lumberjacks on to victory.
TYLER STARKS / Lumberjack Baseball Sports Business Sophomore / Mesquite, Texas “My scholarship has allowed me to continue my dream of playing the game I love in this special program.”
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PROPOSED CLUBHOUSE FLOOR PLAN
A MESSAGE FROM THE COACH “Thank you to our loyal alumni, friends and fans for considering this opportunity to support Lumberjack baseball. Your donations will help build a new clubhouse that will tremendously benefit our players by supplying them with a modern facility to train and prepare for games. In addition, it will assist the coaching staff in continuing to recruit the best Lumberjacks to SFA.”
- Johnny Cardenas, Lumberjack baseball head coach
HELP US HIT A GRAND SLAM Make a secure online gift at sfasu.edu/give. All gifts are tax deductible. For more information, please contact Ted Smith, director of athletic development, at (936) 468-7105 or [email protected].
TIERRA WILSON / Ladyjack Track and Field Kinesiology Sophomore / Henderson, Texas “Being a student-athlete at SFA not only challenges me physically but also mentally. The opportunities I have been given are beyond what I ever imagined. Traveling to other states, making friends and opening doors to opportunities outside of athletics have helped me grow as a person. None of this would have been possible without God, my coaches and the scholarship donors.”
ZACH SUDINSKY / Lumberjack Golf Sports Business Freshman / McKinney, Texas “Golf is an expensive sport. Through the years, my parents have spent a lot of money so I could compete. Now that I’m at SFA, my athletic scholarship supports my involvement with golf. I am forever grateful to the scholarship donors for their financial support. With my scholarship, my parents don’t have to worry about paying for my education, and they know that I’m kind of paying my on way now. It’s a good feeling.” sfajacks.com / 13
THE TOUCHDOWN CLUB Perks of membership in the Touchdown Club are extensive and include 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. Additionally, for each seat purchased, club members receive a complimentary ticket to the Battle of the Piney Woods game held at NRG Stadium in Houston. Members also enjoy elite game-day parking and invitations to select athletic events. This is a non-tax-deductible level. For more information, contact Ted Smith, director of athletic development, at [email protected] or (936) 468-7105.
THE SFA VARSITY CLUB Depending on your level of giving, you may receive complimentary season tickets to Lumberjack football, baseball and/or basketball games. 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 those reduced rates. Football season ticket holders view games from reserved seats on the home team side between the 40-yard lines. Chairback seats are based on availability and reserved only for SFA Varsity Club members. 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.
CAELIDH ROSS Ladyjack Track and Field and Cross-Country Kinesiology Freshman / Nottinghamshire, England “I am very grateful for my athletic scholarship. I wouldn’t have been able to come to the United States and attend college without it. My professors and coaches have kept me motivated in the classroom and during athletic competitions. It has been an exciting experience so far and provided me with an opportunity not many student-athletes receive.” 14 / 2017-18 SFA Varsity Club
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 hors d’oeuvre buffet and drinks. All SFA Varsity Club members receive program recognition and invitations to special athletic events. Note: The deadline for football season ticket renewal for current members and for football program recognition for the SFA Varsity Club is Aug. 1.
SFA VARSI TY CLUB MEMBERSHIP BENEFI TS Benefits
Student
Associate
Jr. Varsity
Varsity
Purple & White
Victory
MVP
AllAmerican
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
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Game-Day Media Guides
Reserved Season Tickets** 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
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RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS Overall
Football
SLC Commissioner’s Cup Champions – 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017 Men’s Basketball
Marlon Walls, CoSIDA First-Team Academic All-American (first in program history), SLC Football Student-Athlete of the Year, FCS ADA All-Star and AFCA Good Works Team Nominee – 2016
Regular-Season SLC Champions – 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
John Franklin, First-Team All-SLC and Academic All-SLC – 2016
SLC Tournament Champions – 2014, 2015, 2016
Kedrick Harrison, Josh Keith and Trae Hart, Second-Team All-SLC – 2016
NCAA Tournament appearance – 2014, 2015, 2016
Zach Conque, NFL free agent signee with Houston Texans – 2017
Advanced to round two of NCAA Tournament – 2014, 2016
Men’s Golf
Women’s Basketball
SLC Tournament Runner-Up – 2017
Taylor Ross, SLC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year – 2017
Major Monzingo, SLC First-Team Selection, Academic All-SLC – 2017
Bowling
Baxter Ward, CoSIDA Academic All-District, Academic All-SLC – 2017
Paige Kraushaar, NTCA All-American Honorable Mention – 2015, 2017
Soccer
Stephanie Schwartz, NTCA First-Team All-American, Second-Team USBC All-American, Member of Team USA and Junior Team USA – 2017
Hanna Barker, SLC Soccer Midfielder of the Year – 2016
NCAA National Champions (SFA’s first at the Division I team level) – 2016
Hanna Barker, Amanda Doyle, Brooke Dunnigan and Breanna Moore, SLC First-Team All-Conference – 2016
Stephanie Schwartz, NTCA National Player of the Year, U.S. Amateur Champion and Team USA Member – 2016
Kelly Ann Craig and Lillie Ehlert, SLC Second-Team All-Conference – 2016
Kiara Grant, NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player – 2016
Regular-Season SLC Champions – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Men’s Cross-Country
Track and Field
SLC Runner-Up – 2016
Women’s Outdoor SLC Champions – 2017
Charles Mathenge, SLC Cross-Country Athlete of the Year, SLC Cross-Country Men’s 8,000-Meter Individual Champion – 2016
Will Gibson, Men’s 400-Meter Dash Outdoor Champion – 2017
Brandt Preston, SLC Cross-Country Male Freshman of the Year – 2016 Charles Mathenge, NCAA Nationals qualifier – 2014, 2015 Women’s Cross-Country SLC Women’s Cross-Country Team Champions – 2016 Taryn Surratt, SLC Cross-Country Female Freshman of the Year – 2016 Cody Clark, SLC Cross-Country Women’s Coach of the Year – 2016
Bailey Bosley, SLC Honorable Mention All-Conference – 2016
Hunter Key, Men’s Outdoor Decathlon Champion – 2017 Isaiah Pittman, Men’s Long Jump Outdoor Champion – 2017 Men’s Outdoor SLC Champions – 2015, 2016 Men’s and Women’s Indoor and Outdoor Total SLC Championships – 23 Volleyball SLC Regular-Season Runner-Up – 2016 Justice Walker, All-SLC First-Team Selection – 2016 Ann Holla, SLC Volleyball Freshman of the Year – 2016 Lexus Cain, All-SLC Second-Team Selection – 2016
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LADYJACK SOCCER FIVE-PEAT SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE REGULARSEASON CHAMPIONS 2011-15
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TICKET INFORMATION Tickets to all SFA athletic 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 are 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 [email protected].
FOR MORE INFORMATION TYLER BOONE
Director of Athletic Development sfajacks.com/varsityclub [email protected] (936) 468-7105
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 or have your entire contribution go to the department. 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." Please detail in the note section to which sport you would like to donate along with special instructions. 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.
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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 advisor 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 advisor 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.
ELM
BOWIE
SFA PINEYWOODS NATIVE PLANT CENTER
SPORTS VENUES AND PARKING MAP PINE
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SPORTS VENUES RAGUET
DAVIS
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➌ William R. Johnson Coliseum
VIEW
➍ Robert H. Shelton Gym ➎ Gerald and Candace Schlief Tennis Complex
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SITY UNIVER
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TRACK AND FIELD AREA
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WETTERMARK
CHESTNUT
➐ Fletcher Garner Track
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LANANA CR
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➊ Elite Football Parking ALUMNI
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CA RD INA L
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WILSON
RAGUE T
GRIFFITH
➎ Soccer Parking
Hunts Woods Recreation Trails
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CLARK
FEAZELL
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NORTH
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GARNER
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FREDONIA
STARR
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1,500 Feet
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