University of Memphis Athletics
Behind The Scenes: Athletics Development
Oct 02, 2017 | General
Department's fundraising efforts, generous donor base investing in student-athletes' futures.
*NOTE: This feature story on Memphis Athletics Development first appeared in the Sept. 16 Memphis Football GameDay Program vs. UCLA.
Take a look at the photo at the top of this page. It's a picture of some of the recent University of Memphis student-athletes that earned their degrees.
The photo, though, is more than just those in it. There are more faces behind those in the picture. The other faces can't be seen, and many don't want recognition. However, they are there.
"It's definitely a blessing being on scholarship," said offensive lineman Gabe Kuhn, who graduated in May with a journalism degree. "To have tuition and room paid for is great, so no loans have to be taken out. This is great for a lot of student-athletes that may not have the means to pay for a college education."
The reason why Kuhn and nearly 400 student-athletes have the opportunity to attend the University is the generous donor base that is cultivated by the Memphis Athletics Development Office. Headed by Dr. Adam Walker, Senior Associate Athletics Director, the staff is constantly reaching out to current and prospective donors – via mail, email, social media, phone calls and personal visits – to assist with the costs.
According to Walker, the nearly 400 student-athletes' scholarships total approximately $8.3 million, and it is an actual transfer of money to the University. The athletics department pays the University every year for the cost of the scholarships, in or out-of-state, and nothing is waived or discounted.
It's something that Charles Harris, an Athletics Development Coordinator, knows now, but didn't realize when he was playing football for the Tigers.
"When I was a student-athlete, I didn't know where the money came from," said Harris. "I just knew my college was paid for. As a player, I thought: 'It's the athletics department, and it has a lot of money.' Since I've switched to this side, I see there are several people working diligently to make sure every scholarship need is met through the tremendous stewardship of our supporters."
Harris is not alone. Many Tigers fans and supporters are unaware that their financial support is tied not to tickets, but to scholarships that leads to eventual graduates – like the ones in the photograph.
"We have had concentrated efforts to let donors know their gifts aren't tied to where they sit or park at games," said Dr. Walker. "We want them to know their gifts are going toward student-athletes so they can earn degrees."
That's the heart of athletics development: raising money to provide student-athletes with educational opportunities. The core mission is what the staff is trying to educate both the donors and student-athletes on.
"In my role, I see people truly invest in the Memphis athletics program and its student-athletes because they believe in the mission we're trying to accomplish here," Harris said. "We also have a job of educating our donors. We know that donors have other financial commitments, but we want them to know they are helping student-athletes like I was. Without their help, I would not have the opportunities I have now."
Dr. Walker added, "Our donors need to know they are changing lives and changing the Memphis community. We've also educated our student-athletes about the opportunities provided by our donors. We've had more donor events in which we integrated our student-athletes and donors. That's been terrific because the donors get to meet the student-athletes, and the student-athletes get to understand that there are some people that are privately funding their scholarships.
"If it weren't for athletics scholarships, many would not have opportunities to earn college degrees."
And, Memphis Athletics Development doesn't want the impact to stop at the scholarship. The department sees part of their fundraising efforts going back into the Memphis community.
"Over half of our donors are not Memphis alumni, but they understand how important the University of Memphis is and what the University does to help make a great community here," said Dr. Walker. "The business leaders in the community understand the value. They realize how great our student-athletes are, and the impact they have on the community.
"When you're in the community and watch our student-athletes, the businesses that donate see how far their dollars are reaching. The dollar at the University of Memphis goes farther than at other institutions, and their investments make huge impacts."
The financial investment by all donors can change not only the lives of the scholarship recipients, but the future direction of the University, the Memphis community and maybe even the nation.
"It's huge (what that office does)," said football head coach Mike Norvell. "They're helping impact lives of 18-to-22 year olds. Let's not just look at what these young men mean to the program now. But, what are these young men going to mean to our University in the future?
"Who knows the young man on one of these practice fields may be the next difference-maker in our country, the next difference-maker in our University's future. We may have a future billionaire here that could change all the dynamics of Memphis and our community. Being able to provide a young man an opportunity with this experience is something special."
Take a look at the photo at the top of this page. It's a picture of some of the recent University of Memphis student-athletes that earned their degrees.
The photo, though, is more than just those in it. There are more faces behind those in the picture. The other faces can't be seen, and many don't want recognition. However, they are there.
"It's definitely a blessing being on scholarship," said offensive lineman Gabe Kuhn, who graduated in May with a journalism degree. "To have tuition and room paid for is great, so no loans have to be taken out. This is great for a lot of student-athletes that may not have the means to pay for a college education."
The reason why Kuhn and nearly 400 student-athletes have the opportunity to attend the University is the generous donor base that is cultivated by the Memphis Athletics Development Office. Headed by Dr. Adam Walker, Senior Associate Athletics Director, the staff is constantly reaching out to current and prospective donors – via mail, email, social media, phone calls and personal visits – to assist with the costs.
According to Walker, the nearly 400 student-athletes' scholarships total approximately $8.3 million, and it is an actual transfer of money to the University. The athletics department pays the University every year for the cost of the scholarships, in or out-of-state, and nothing is waived or discounted.
It's something that Charles Harris, an Athletics Development Coordinator, knows now, but didn't realize when he was playing football for the Tigers.
"When I was a student-athlete, I didn't know where the money came from," said Harris. "I just knew my college was paid for. As a player, I thought: 'It's the athletics department, and it has a lot of money.' Since I've switched to this side, I see there are several people working diligently to make sure every scholarship need is met through the tremendous stewardship of our supporters."
Harris is not alone. Many Tigers fans and supporters are unaware that their financial support is tied not to tickets, but to scholarships that leads to eventual graduates – like the ones in the photograph.
"We have had concentrated efforts to let donors know their gifts aren't tied to where they sit or park at games," said Dr. Walker. "We want them to know their gifts are going toward student-athletes so they can earn degrees."
That's the heart of athletics development: raising money to provide student-athletes with educational opportunities. The core mission is what the staff is trying to educate both the donors and student-athletes on.
"In my role, I see people truly invest in the Memphis athletics program and its student-athletes because they believe in the mission we're trying to accomplish here," Harris said. "We also have a job of educating our donors. We know that donors have other financial commitments, but we want them to know they are helping student-athletes like I was. Without their help, I would not have the opportunities I have now."
Dr. Walker added, "Our donors need to know they are changing lives and changing the Memphis community. We've also educated our student-athletes about the opportunities provided by our donors. We've had more donor events in which we integrated our student-athletes and donors. That's been terrific because the donors get to meet the student-athletes, and the student-athletes get to understand that there are some people that are privately funding their scholarships.
"If it weren't for athletics scholarships, many would not have opportunities to earn college degrees."
And, Memphis Athletics Development doesn't want the impact to stop at the scholarship. The department sees part of their fundraising efforts going back into the Memphis community.
"Over half of our donors are not Memphis alumni, but they understand how important the University of Memphis is and what the University does to help make a great community here," said Dr. Walker. "The business leaders in the community understand the value. They realize how great our student-athletes are, and the impact they have on the community.
"When you're in the community and watch our student-athletes, the businesses that donate see how far their dollars are reaching. The dollar at the University of Memphis goes farther than at other institutions, and their investments make huge impacts."
The financial investment by all donors can change not only the lives of the scholarship recipients, but the future direction of the University, the Memphis community and maybe even the nation.
"It's huge (what that office does)," said football head coach Mike Norvell. "They're helping impact lives of 18-to-22 year olds. Let's not just look at what these young men mean to the program now. But, what are these young men going to mean to our University in the future?
"Who knows the young man on one of these practice fields may be the next difference-maker in our country, the next difference-maker in our University's future. We may have a future billionaire here that could change all the dynamics of Memphis and our community. Being able to provide a young man an opportunity with this experience is something special."
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