Oct. 26, 2011

Funding for the $5.5M Phase II of Reese Stadium (soccer and lacrosse) saw Yale development in a unique position compared to other facility fundraising campaigns. In the past, funding was sought via five year pledges and construction could commence before all five-year pledges has been fulfilled. After the economic downturn, the University took a new approach, requiring all cash to be in hand before a project was approved.

As a result, we pared back the original scope of the project and looked to raise the money from groups of people as opposed to individuals who could pledge the money over time. Five year pledges were still accepted but the more people who committed to those pledges, the more original cash we would have on hand. As money continued to come in for the project, add-ons to the original scope were included when funds were available to pay for them.

The fundraising for this project was called the "Winning Goal Campaign" and was targeted to former athletes, encouraging them to reach the naming opportunity threshold ($25,000+) through partnerships with other teammates. In addition, we were fortunate to secure a $1 million challenge match from a former soccer player geared towards increasing participation from all soccer players. Below is the marketing message emailed and hard copy mailed to all former soccer and lacrosse players with a follow-up sent to captains of these team encouraging them to take the lead on rallying their teammates. All the alumni came together over an 18 month period to raise $6.6 million for the project. Reese Stadium was dedicated in April 2011.

The "Winning Goal" Campaign for Reese Stadium -- Help Us Close the Gap!

The next phase in the storied histories of Yale Soccer and Lacrosse starts now! Our programs have been built upon foundations of teamwork, loyalty, and hard work and it is these core values that will propel us into an even greater future. As you know, Phase I of Reese Stadium is complete and Phase II is well on its way, due to the generosity of many lacrosse and soccer alumni, but our help is still needed. Below you can see some of the architectural renderings of this awesome facility. What you cannot see on those drawings is the names of every former soccer and lacrosse player that will be displayed on the archways leading into the stadium - the individuals who have shaped these programs will be proudly displayed for all fans and future Yale soccer and lacrosse players to see. However, it is the leadership donor plaque in the entryway of this facility that still has room for recognition.

Just as teamwork has built this program, so will it build this stadium. We understand that these economic times might make it difficult for individuals to step up and make leadership gifts, but that does not mean your leadership cannot be reflected in this project. We are asking you to be creative and reach out to your former classmates, teammates and friends to partner together to make a leadership gift in honor of your experience of representing Yale on the field as a unit. Parents and friends can also be a part of this great project by honoring their children and their children's team. We need 40 groups or individuals on both the men's and women's sides of our Soccer and Lacrosse Associations to step forward with $25,000 gifts/pledges - $1,000,000 in total from former soccer and lacrosse players (or 10 from each team - payable over 5 years)!

Just as Ivy Championships cannot be won alone - we will not reach this goal as individuals. We are all a part of this program's past - we cannot put on our Yale jerseys and take the field but we have left an indelible mark. Who is to say that our time in influencing the future of this program is over? Reese Stadium is the greatest recruiting tool Coach Tompkins, Coach Meredith, Coach Shay and Coach Phillips could have to bring the next generation of Ivy Champions to Yale. By coming together, we ensure that all of our legacies will not only be etched in the record books, but also on the walls of the new home of Yale Soccer and Lacrosse. This project offers us an amazing opportunity to be teammates again and work towards a common goal in the name of Yale.

Now is the time to make this happen - this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make a tremendous impact on Yale Soccer and Lacrosse! Once Reese Stadium is built, the moment will have passed and you do not want to walk into this amazing facility and be the only class or team missing from the leadership plaque! You will be hearing from your former captains and teammates in the near future and they will be calling upon you to give what you can towards the common goal. If we strive for 100% participation from every class and every team, we will achieve our goals. It is our hope that the legacy of Reese Stadium will be that it was built by ALL of the men and women of Yale soccer and lacrosse!

Alison Cole Associate AD	Tim Ford Senior Associate AD