Univ. Of Memphis Announces A Record $7M In Athletic Donations

A bad economy and the departure of men's basketball coach John Calipari "didn't slow down the University of Memphis' athletic fundraising efforts during the last fiscal year," as the Tiger Scholarship Fund (TSF) yesterday announced a record $7M in donations, according to Dan Wolken of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. The amount topped last year's $6M, and Memphis AD R.C. Johnson said that he was "elated with the 16.7[%] increase, which will help cover athletic scholarship costs estimated" at $7.5M for the '09-10 academic year. Wolken notes "much of the increase can be credited to Memphis' new 'per-seat' donation policy for seats at FedExForum." TSF donations are "required to buy season tickets on the lower level and club level for Tiger basketball games, and the new plan was expected to help bring in" $6.8M this year. Johnson said that his goal for the next fiscal year "will be matching this year's" $7M total (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 6/30).