Univ. of Arizona AD Greg Byrne "launched a volunteer fund drive Wednesday, aiming to increase membership in the Wildcat Club through small donations," according to Anthony Gimino of TUCSONCITIZEN.com. Arizona "sent out a video to kick start the fund raising effort ... using a database of 163,000 e-mails." The video also is available at wildcatmovement.com. Arizona Associate AD for Annual Giving & Major Gifts Ryan Hansen said that by the close of business Wednesday, the Wildcat Club "had about 60 new members, including one who donated $1,000." Arizona "has about 7,200 members in the Wildcat Club," for which membership "starts at $100 annually." Byrne: "Just think about that. Add 5,000 new members at $100 apiece -- and most folks come in well above that -- that's an extra half-million in new revenue for us." Gimino noted "much of what Byrne has done, in not quite a year on the job, has centered on inclusiveness," and "key athletic department personnel will, for the second consecutive year, tour the state in a week-long blitz" this spring (TUCSONCITIZEN.com, 4/6). In Arizona, Bruce Pascoe wrote while ticket sales, media rights, corporate sponsorships and major gifts are the "big sources of revenue," Arizona's athletic department also "generates funds through its Wildcat Club." Wildcat Club members are "either fans who donate money outright or purchase premium football and basketball seating," and Byrne said that the department's goal is to "get 9,000 by the end of June, 10,500 by June 2012 and 12,000 by June 2013." Byrne: "It's going to be a grassroots effort." Pascoe noted Wildcat Club membership is "automatic for those buying premium seats for basketball and football, and also a way to accumulate 'priority points' that will qualify them to buy tickets at NCAA tournament and bowl games" (ARIZONA DAILY STAR, 4/7).
