The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1527657
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 ■ 21 since 2018, so Wayland pointed out that this is a natural time to make adjustments. After a year of brainstorming and plenty of careful planning, the Wolfpack Club is ready to roll out this new annual giving model. "It's going to impact a lot of people, and we understand that," Wayland said. "We just know that, for us to continue to be great and to continue to provide what we need to provide for our student-athletes to succeed, we have to have more money." As a thank-you for these donations, fans will continue to receive plenty of ex- clusive access that Wayland is working to improve over time. All Wolfpack Club members can cash in on a 10 percent dis- count at the Red & White Shop. Donors who contribute at least $1,000 annually will receive a video message from one of NC State's coaches and an opportunity to buy a priority parking pass to go along with football or men's basket- ball season tickets. The benefits continue to increase along with the donation amount. A contribu- tion of $12,500 gets a Wolfpack Club member an invitation to a team practice, a chance to request RV parking for foot- ball and much more. This new fundrais- ing and benefits model is meant to give members a closer look behind the curtain of their favorite teams as they directly contribute to the athletics department's success. "Yes, we're asking for more money, but we're also giving people more benefits as part of that and saying, 'We recognize you, we appreciate you and our coaches appreciate you,'" Wayland said. With college athletics continuing to change, the Wolfpack Club plans on evolving right along with them. Execu- tive director Ben Broussard echoed Wayland, voicing his support for her and the rest of the orga- nization's efforts to create the new an- nual giving model. "The work that she and her team have done to engage our donor base at the an- nual fund level is very impressive," Brous- sard said. "This initiative, making these adjustments and changes for her team, is only going to make the Wolfpack Club and the athletics department stronger. "Change is never fun, right? But in this case, it's necessary and beneficial." ■ " To continue to make Final Fours in basketball, to continue to go to Omaha and play for the College World Series championship, you don't get those things by just being mediocre, and you don't get those things by being mediocre in the fundraising aspect either." Emily Wayland, director of annual giving for the Wolfpack Club