DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU Athletics Department is thrilled to announce a historic milestone in its fundraising efforts, raising a record-breaking $159 million during the 2023-2024 fiscal year. This unprecedented achievement underscores the unwavering support and commitment of the SMU community, alumni, and supporters towards advancing the university's athletic programs.

This landmark fundraising year was punctuated by an unprecedented $100 million donated in just seven days following the September 1 announcement that SMU would be joining the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) on July 1, 2024. These transformative gifts came from the newly formed First Week Society, a collection of 30 individuals whose generosity launched a $125 million campaign to support the department's transition to the ACC.

Additionally, fundraising success was highlighted by a record number of principal and major gifts, as well as a record number of Mustang Club members.

Fundraising success was punctuated by:

• A record 4 eight-figure gifts
• A record 35 seven-figure gifts
• A record 82 six-figure gifts
• Capital Support: A substantial portion of the funds will be dedicated to the Weber End Zone Complex, SMU's 192,500 square foot football operations center and club space set to open for the 2024 football season
• ACC Competitiveness Campaign: Following the First Week Society's $100 million, SMU launched a $25 million campaign with 100% of the proceeds benefitting the department's transition to the ACC.
• A record 4,831 Mustang Club members

"We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support from our donors, alumni, and the entire SMU community," said Rick Hart, SMU Director of Athletics. "This record-breaking fundraising year is a testament to the belief in our vision for SMU Athletics and our commitment to excellence as we enter the ACC. The unprecedented contributions from the First Week Society and all who gave to support our mission will have a lasting impact on our programs, our student-athletes and our university."
In recognition of the department's achievements, the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) named Josh Whittenburg, Associate AD of Development, University Fundraiser of the Year.

For more information about SMU Athletics and its programs, please visit www.smumustangs.com.
 
The Mustangs Are Coming! On the heels of a school-record eight-championship season and set for its inaugural season in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), SMU is riding a surge of momentum heading into 2024-25.
 
SMU has already set a new season-ticket sales record for Ford Stadium, with sales up more than 60%, and tickets for men's and women's basketball are also selling at record rates.

To continue the momentum, SMU Athletics invites you to become part of the Game Changer program, by selling season tickets within your network. As SMU moves to the ACC, we need you to introduce SMU to your friends and colleagues. Signing up is easy! You'll be paired with a ticket sales executive and you will be helping us fill Ford Stadium this fall.
 
Be a Game Changer and Think B.I.G.:
Buy a ticket!
Introduce someone new to SMU!
Give – to the Mustang Club, ACC Competitiveness Campaign, Weber EZC and Boulevard Collective!
 


About SMU Athletics: It's a new era of Athletics at SMU. In the classroom and on the field, SMU is driving excellence and growth to be among the best athletics programs in the country. We are bringing the highest level of collegiate competition to Dallas, which was recently named the No. 1 city for sports business by the Sports Business Journal, and building on our recent success, with all 17 programs reaching the postseason and 16 programs winning conference championships since 2013. SMU is the only NCAA FBS program in Dallas, and has claimed 10 overall national championships, over 200 team conference championships, over 100 individual national championships, more than 150 NCAA top-10 finishes, nearly 2,000 All-American honors and over 150 Olympic appearances. Since 2013, SMU has invested over $250 million to develop and enhance championship-caliber facilities. A founding member of the American Athletic Conference, SMU will join the Atlantic Coast Conference on July 1, 2024.
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