SDSU Athletics Announces Launch of Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund

Fund will play a critical role in SDSU’s ability to recruit, retain and support top-tier student-athletes.

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SDSU Athletics Announces Launch of Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention FundSDSU Athletics Announces Launch of Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State Athletics proudly announces the launch of the Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund, a bold initiative designed to elevate Aztec Athletics as we enter a new era of college sports. This fund will play a critical role in strengthening our ability to recruit, retain, and support top-tier student-athletes as we prepare to transition into the Pac-12 Conference. All contributions are tax-deductible.

As the college athletics landscape evolves, particularly with the passing of the House Settlement that was approved earlier today (June 6, 2025), this fund ensures SDSU is prepared to meet the future head-on. With the implementation of the House Settlement on July 1, 2025, universities will be permitted to directly share revenue with student-athletes, in exchange for licensing their NIL, in addition to continuing to offer scholarships, housing, meals, and other essential benefits. Revenue sharing for schools will be capped at approximately $20.5 million in 2025-26, with increases in subsequent years.

San Diego State is committed to making forward-thinking investments that support the holistic development of our student-athletes. The Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund is the first step of significant investments we will make to remain competitive in this new chapter, ensuring that Aztec Athletics continues to thrive both on and off the field.

"As we prepare for our entry into the Pac-12, this fund is a vital step in ensuring we continue to compete for championships while also aligning SDSU Athletics with the future of college sports," said SDSU director of athletics John David Wicker. "Our student-athletes deserve the very best, and this initiative allows us to directly invest in their experience while sustaining the proud tradition of Aztec excellence."

Building on a Strong Foundation
We are incredibly grateful for the impactful work of the MESA Foundation and Aztec Link, whose leadership has driven tremendous progress in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) space over the past several years. Their efforts have empowered student-athletes and their families with life-changing opportunities and helped SDSU remain competitive on the national stage.

Through collaboration with Aztec NIL, SDSU’s internal name, image, and likeness department, both collectives will continue to play a vital role moving forward by creating partnerships with businesses, charitable causes and through unique fan engagement opportunities.  As the Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund comes online, MESA Foundation and Aztec Link will remain essential to SDSU's NIL fundraising strategy, complementing our overall approach to the student-athlete experience.

How the Aztec Nation Can Get Involved
If you’ve previously supported NIL efforts through MESA Foundation or Aztec Link—thank you! As we navigate this new era, we have created an FAQ document to help cover common questions. When we learn more from the ruling and corresponding NCAA rule changes, we will update this link for FAQs.

Here's how you can continue supporting Aztec student-athletes in this next phase:

  • Continue your support through existing NIL channels to help create opportunities in our community for student-athletes.
  • Make a donation or commit to a pledge to the Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund
  • Purchase season tickets to our ticketed sports as another way to increase revenue that can be shared with student-athletes.

    Make your gift today and help lay the foundation for our future in the Pac-12. Contributions to the Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund will also count toward exclusive donor recognition programs, including your Aztec Club priority points. If you're interested in providing leadership-level support or have any questions, please contact the Aztec Club at (619)-594-6444 or aztecclub@sdsu.edu.

    Supporters of MESA Foundation and Aztec Link will receive more information in the coming weeks about opportunities to continue supporting NIL while also participating in this new fund.

    About San Diego State Athletics
    San Diego State Athletics is dedicated to excellence in academics, competition, and personal growth for all student-athletes. With our move to the Pac-12 Conference in 2026, Aztec Athletics is poised for unprecedented opportunity and national prominence. This is more than a moment—it's our future. And it starts now.

FAQ – Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund

The fund is a new initiative launched by San Diego State Athletics to directly support student-athletes through enhanced benefits, including revenue sharing beginning July 1, 2025. It will also bolster our efforts to recruit and retain top talent as we enter the Pac-12 Conference on July 1, 2026.

MESA Foundation and Aztec Link have been instrumental in creating NIL opportunities and will continue their work by creating partnerships with businesses, charitable causes, and through unique fan engagement opportunities. The new fund is managed directly by SDSU Athletics and focuses on department-led investments such as scholarships, academic support, and (pending legislation) revenue sharing.

Aztec Link will continue to create unique and impactful fan engagement opportunities and exclusive access to student-athletes, coaches and teams for their supporters. Aztec Link has been involved with NIL for football, golf, baseball, soccer, softball, track and field.

MESA Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supporting Aztec Basketball, has been instrumental in fundraising for the basketball programs by cultivating donors and creating meaningful relationships with local businesses and charity organizations.

We are working with both collectives to recognize individuals' support to both causes and will reward this great support in the updated Aztec Club priority points system.

Not at all. Both collectives will continue their important work and complement the efforts of the new fund. Together, they ensure SDSU has a robust and multifaceted support system for student-athletes.

Pending final approval of the House Settlement, universities can begin direct revenue sharing with student-athletes on July 1, 2025. Schools will have a cap of $20.5 million for the 2025-26 academic year. Your contributions will have the ability to immediately impact the programs you choose to support.

Yes! When making a contribution to the Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund, you have the option to direct your support to a specific sport of your choice. Whether you're passionate about football, basketball,  or any of our Olympic sports, your gift can be tailored to make an immediate impact where it matters most to you.

Alternatively, you can choose to give to the Recruitment and Retention general fund, which supports department-wide recruitment and retention efforts across our programs.

Based on tax counsel advice, you may not designate a particular student-athlete. As always, please consult your personal tax advisor. Much like the awarding of a scholarship, revenue-sharing funds will be at the discretion of the head coach of each sport.

Absolutely. We encourage donors to support both areas as they serve different but equally important roles in the student-athlete experience.

Yes, contributions to the Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund are tax-deductible. As always, please consult with your tax advisor. The Campanile Foundation (TCF) is a registered 501(c)3 organization for San Diego State University. Gifts to this fund are administered by TCF and the Department of Athletics.

Yes! Contributions to the Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund do count toward your Aztec Club Priority Point total. Specifically, you will receive 1 priority point for every $500 donated to the fund during the current fiscal year.

This is in addition to the existing priority point structure, which includes:

  • 1 point for every $100 donated annually to the Student-Athlete Excellence Fund (seat donations and/or unrestricted)
  • 1 point for every $1,000 in lifetime (all athletics giving)
  • 1 point for every $25,000 in endowment or planned athletics giving
  • 2 points per consecutive year of being a football, men’s and women’s basketball season ticket holder
  • Past donations to Aztec Link and MESA Foundation will be given soft credit and awarded points at 1 point per $1,000. Current donations will receive 1 point per $500.

 

These contributions not only support the future of Aztec Athletics but also help elevate your priority standing.

Visit SDSU Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention · GiveCampus or email us at aztecclub@sdsu.edu for more information.