The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1534227
20 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN t's no secret that NC State's alumni and fan base are passionate about the Wolfpack. That's a key trait that the Wolfpack Club has been able to tap into for many years. Now, the club is focused on grow- ing the Athletic Director Enhancement Fund, a pool of money that can be used for anything that Boo Corrigan believes needs support. The fan base's immense devotion to the university is an impor- tant part of that initiative, one that can help elevate NC State in the years to come. The goal of the AD Enhancement Fund is to position the athletics department for success in a changing landscape that is likely to include the introduction of revenue sharing this fall. The Wolfpack Club has been making progress with its fundraising initiative. Stephen Foshee, the club's director of major gifts, said that with three months remaining in the fiscal year, the depart- ment has already set a record with 111 such gifts, which are defined as a dona- tion of $50,000 or more that can be paid up front or in installments over time. The AD Enhancement Fund has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of supporters' generosity, with Foshee and his team pointing new donors to it. It has been easy to have donors come on board with Corrigan's track record of elevating all of NC State's athletic pro- grams, including his recent hire of men's basketball coach Will Wade. "The good part about having an AD En- hancement Fund is we have a really good AD," Foshee said. "I think people have seen that, with the rise of all of our pro- grams and the search that was just done with men's basketball. People believe in him and believe in that mission. It's been an easy sell for us, just trying to make the department as strong as we can." The Wolfpack Club's ability to be pro- active in the ever-changing college ath- letics landscape has been important. The AD Enhancement Fund will play a piv- otal role in NC State being as prepared as possible for whatever may arise. "It serves the best needs of Wolfpack Athletics outside of the normal operat- ing budget," Foshee said. "It's designed to just make sure that we can adjust quickly to rapid changes in our industry, as needed. Certainly, having extra funds helps with it." NC State's alumni base has made it easier for Foshee and his team to stay prepared for the future. However, it takes time to build relationships with donors who are willing to make a major gift. And, as Foshee noted, the Wolfpack Club's relationship-based approach has paid big dividends. The club has also seen the Red Wolf Society grow, while the AD Enhance- ment Fund has been prioritized inside the department's offices at Carter- Finley Stadium. That group of donors, which began with 206 charter members in October 2023, is up to 350 strong and continues to grow. Foshee was always confident that could happen over time. "When you look at the institution and at the area and the state, I knew if we could get everything clearly defined with what a major gift and the Red Wolf So- ciety are that Wolfpack Nation would respond in a big way," Foshee said. "And they have." The Wolfpack Club expects the AD Enhancement Fund to remain a mainstay in its fundraising efforts going forward. After all, it wants to put NC State in the best position to succeed across all sports, and this is a critical part of the depart- ment's mission to bolster the Pack's ath- letics programs as a whole. "What we're always going to do here at the Wolfpack Club is to support Wolfpack Athletics," Foshee said. "We wouldn't be here without them. … We're full steam ahead on AD Enhancement." ■ I FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE AD Enhancement Fund Will Help NC State Adapt To An Evolving Landscape Athletics director Boo Corrigan is steering NC State through a period of major change in college sports. The AD Enhancement Fund will allow him to direct resources wherever they are needed. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS