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 in our student-athlete recruitment and retention efforts.
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.
With the 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.