May 6, 2005
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State's fund drive for athletic scholarships is off to a record start after the first reporting night of the annual 10-week event.
The Drive is a volunteer-based effort administered by the Aztec Athletic Foundation to raise funds for SDSU's athletic scholarship bill, which is just over $4 million per academic year.
The Aztec Athletic Foundation held its first report night of the 2005 drive on Thursday with a total of $688,824 in pledges announced since The Drive kicked off April 14.
"The totals for the first report night far exceed any total we have ever had at this phase of the drive," said Bob Moosbrugger, San Diego State's assistant athletic director for the Aztec Athletic Foundation. "We set a record last year with a total of $1.26 million but our first report night total was just under $300,000 and we did not surpass the $700,000 mark until our third report night."
The fast start can be attributed to several factors. Half of the current AAF membership have already renewed for the 2005-2006 academic year. Over 250 members have increased their previous commitment, resulting in nearly $140,000 in new money after less than three weeks of The Drive.
Volunteer Ben Bagnas has raised $76,000 to date, the high mark for a single individual in the drive. He is followed by Bobbie Harkey ($50,568), Bob and Darlene McCray ($46,692), Jim and Deborah Marshall ($37,160) and Todd Nielsen ($32,159).
To make a donation, or learn more about The Drive, contact the Aztec Athletic Foundation at 619-594-6444, or visit goaztecs.com.