Le Moyne working with NYC firm to raise $40 million for athletics, wellness

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Le Moyne College has entered into a five-year agreement with the firm Legends to raise $40 million to support the upcoming renovation of the Thomas J. Niland Jr. Athletic Complex. “This partnership will benefit the entire campus community,” Le Moyne President Linda LeMura said in the school’s announcement. “The planned renovations to the Niland complex will add to and upgrade our fields, fitness and wellness facilities used by students, faculty and staff, as well as those living in the neighborhoods surrounding campus. Working with Legends will allow our advancement and innovation team to continue to focus on academics and other key areas of fundraising.” Mike Behan, who graduated from Le Moyne in 2005, is the president of Legends’ college division, the school noted. Founded in 2008, New York City–based Legends describes itself as a “premium experiences company” with six divisions that include global planning, global sales, hospitality, global partnerships, global merchandise, and Legends IQ. Legends launched its philanthropy practice in 2017 and has built a “successful fundraising track record,” Le Moyne said. The firm has worked with the University of Notre Dame, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Southern California, Villanova University, and the Rose Bowl. All told, the company has assisted in maximizing revenue associated with more than $2 billion in new and renovated facility projects. The company’s IQ division provides the “business intelligence driving and informing its work.” “I’m excited that we are bringing in a global leader to help us achieve our goals in the athletics, fitness and wellness areas,” Jim Joseph, VP for advancement and innovation and dean of the Madden College of Business and Economics, said in the school’s announcement. “Working seamlessly as one team, advancement and innovation and Legends will also procure resources for athletic scholarships and other athletic-focused endowment funds.” In addition to working on donations to fund the immediate athletics needs, the Legends approach is to develop a “sustainable fundraising model” to provide for annual gifts going forward, “building a culture of athletic philanthropy that will develop a pipeline” for major gifts in the future. “It brings me great pride that Legends has the privilege to partner with Le Moyne, my alma mater,” Behan said. “This is a transformative time for Le Moyne given its recent move to Division I. We look forward to supporting the College in reaching new heights!”