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Athletics Raises $340 Million in Duke Forward Campaign
8/15/2017 3:00:00 PM | Athletics
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke Athletics raised $340 million during the comprehensive seven-year Duke Forward campaign that concluded in June with a total of $3.85 billion.
Duke Athletics' “Building Champions” fundraising effort was part of Duke Forward, which also benefitted all 10 of Duke's graduate and undergraduate schools, Duke Libraries, Duke Health and a range of university-wide initiatives and programs. It began on July 1, 2010 with an original goal of $3.25 billion, and ended on June 30, 2017.
Building Champions transformed the Blue Devil Athletics campus into one of the premier physical collegiate athletics spaces in the country, while also significantly addressing financial endowment and operational needs.
Originally featuring a goal of $250 million, Building Champions soared past the mark by $90 million thanks to the generous support of many alumni, parents and friends. The ambitious financial goal was initially separated into three categories – facility upgrades, scholarship / program endowment and operational support – and benefitted all 27 varsity sports, funding several priorities outlined in “Unrivaled Ambition, A Strategic Plan for Duke Athletics,” the department's first strategic plan drafted in 2008.
“The boundless generosity to Duke Athletics by our amazing donors over the past several years is extraordinary,” said Duke Vice President and Director of Athletics Kevin White. “We are truly blessed that so many people possess unwavering passion and staunch commitment to Duke and, more importantly, are willing to readily act on them. To be sure, we sincerely thank our treasured friends who helped transform the entire athletics campus, supported our important mission in college athletics and higher education, and positively impacted the lives of so many Duke student-athletes, coaches and staff. We are forever grateful.”
“By any measure, Building Champions was a tremendous success,” said Tom Coffman, who oversees Duke Athletics' fundraising efforts as Deputy Director of Athletics / Development. “Surely, the results represent the commitment our alumni and friends have to Duke Athletics, and that our staff has to its cause. We are thrilled – and tremendously thankful – for the results from the past five years. We understand that to compete at the highest levels athletically and academically, this work is never done. There are always more opportunities ahead.”
Duke has transformed its entire athletics campus to better support the ever-evolving needs of more than 650 student-athletes, who practice, train and compete in some of the country's best facilities, all of which are on the school's campus. Additionally, these projects will greatly enhance the experience for alumni, fans and friends who visit campus or attend sporting events.
“Facilities at Duke have changed so drastically that it's difficult to find the words to describe it,” said Duke head football coach David Cutcliffe. “It's even more difficult to describe the impact the facilities have had on our student-athletes and prospects – in all sports. People outside of Duke, whether that is a prospective student-athlete, fan or otherwise, now see an entirely different commitment to football. I cannot thank Dr. White and his leadership in that regard enough. And certainly thanks to all the people who have so generously donated for us to have this opportunity. To Dr. White, the administration, Duke University and all the people who have worked so hard to make this dream come true – thank you.”
“The facilities that we have now put all of the focus back on the athletes because there is no wasted potential or wasted talent in terms of athletic potential,” said Greg Shea of the men's lacrosse program. “Being able to say, 'If we play well, we know we will have success on the field,' is something I really cherish. You truly control your own destiny here at Duke.”
“As you look at the scope of our program, it has been on an upward trajectory since about the same time these facilities started to come to fruition,” said Duke head women's coach Robbie Church. “As coaches, it gives us another weapon in recruiting. We are not only selling the world-class education at Duke University, not only playing in the best women's soccer conference in the country, but now we are playing in some of the best facilities in America. With that amazing combination, we are getting significant interest from very elite players.”
Speaking specifically about the Scott Family Athletics Performance Center, a new 53,000 square-foot facility that houses ticket offices, a team store, offices for department support units, training rooms and an expanded weight room for Olympic sport programs, Duke head wrestling coach Glen Lanham agrees:
“Being able to show the Scott Center to a higher-level recruit is a game changer for Duke Wrestling. Compared to previous years, we signed a stronger recruiting class because they immediately recognize the commitment from our alumni and administration. We want to compete at the highest level and, in order for us to do so, it has to reflected in our facilities. This is where many student-athletes live and work every day. They want to be part of this momentum. The landscape for Duke Wrestling is changing because of that.”
“Personally, I have had a back injury for the past three years on and off, so I have spent a lot of time in the rehab center,” said Morgan Reid of the women's soccer team. "I have been able to see it evolve. The improvements that have been made, especially in the last year, have provided me the chance to maximize the time I spend in there, specifically the hot and cold tubs.”
Pole vaulter Madison Heath of the women's track and field team has noticed a significant difference in her performance with the addition of Morris Williams Track and Field Stadium and the new weight room in the Scott Center:
“The new track and weight room have been amazing. This last year was definitely my best year. I think a lot of that was because we were in better shape as a result of a new lifting regimen. We have had a lot more space and equipment, while being able to do more event-specific lifting that has been really helpful for my teammates and me.”
Building Champions helped meet many of the goals and objectives outlined in “Unrivaled Ambition, A Strategic Plan for Duke Athletics” from 2008. Included in that plan were priorities related to new fundraising models and aspirations; across-the-board facility upgrades and additions; an escalation of Duke's intramural program, the club sports teams and free recreation that benefits the entire university community; the expansion of the Student Development program related to three specific areas – personal growth and development, community service and career planning; and essential investments in all of Duke's varsity sports programs, including scholarship and salary endowments and necessary operational support expenses.
During Building Champions, Duke witnessed increased support to both the unrestricted and restricted annual funds with record-breaking totals each year since 2012. Duke raised more than $50 million in endowment support in both scholarships and programs. Funds from Building Champions created 107 new scholarship and program endowments, thus providing meaningful educational and athletics opportunities for current and future Duke student-athletes.
The many projects and activities Building Champions helped to fund and support include:
• Renovation of Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium
- Built Blue Devil Tower with new President's suite
- Added 21 suites and a private club for 700+ people
- New concessions and restrooms
- New gates and entrances
- New concourse
- Training table for student-athletes
• Scott Family Athletics Performance Center
- New weight training area for Olympic sports
- New offices for Athletics administration
- New training room for Olympic sports
- New ticket office with easy access for all sporting events
- New Nike Store
- Gatorade station for student-athletes
• Rubenstein Pavilion – Cameron Indoor Stadium
- New and expanded lobby
- New private club for basketball games and other events
• Duke Softball Stadium
- Finalizing construction of brand new stadium on Duke's East Campus
- Features include indoor batting cages, a spacious locker room and seating for 500 fans
• Morris Williams Track and Field Stadium
- Built a comprehensive stadium for all events
- A first-class venue for the entire campus community to use
• Tribull Plaza
- Large pedestrian plaza for alumni and friends
• Cohan Fields
- Two turf and one grass practice fields for lacrosse, soccer and intramurals
• Kennedy Tower
- Includes a state-of-the-art press tower for video, media and broadcasting
- Features a hospitality area for entertaining during events
“When you come to Duke, you know you are getting a top-notch education,” said Bryon Fields Jr. of the football program. “You know you are playing for some of the best coaches. You know you are around some of the best and brightest in the academic field. And there has always been some of the best athletes. But, Duke may not necessarily have had the best facilities. Now that we do, the sky is the limit.”
Duke's Hall of Fame men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA Division I history, succinctly stated: “I love what Duke has done, is doing, and I love what Duke will do.”
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