SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The ‘Cuse Athletics Fund (‘CAF) recorded its second-highest fundraising year during the 2021-22 fiscal year that concluded on June 30, Syracuse University said Tuesday.
More than 9,700 donors contributed $29.1 million, representing a 52 percent increase in funds from the previous year and the second-largest number of donors to Syracuse Athletics, the school said.
This year’s total amount raised was only exceeded in 2019, when John and Laura Lally made a $25 million lead commitment to support turning Manley Field House into the new John A. Lally Athletics Complex.
Donations to the ‘Cuse Athletics Fund (‘CAF) encompass all areas supporting Syracuse Athletics, including annual giving to the Athletics Opportunity Fund; support to individual sports teams; priority seating; and Legends Society commitments to the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, which is currently under construction.
Plenty of people and families contributed to the successful fundraising year, Syracuse said.
The ‘CAF Legends Society received more than $14 million in commitments and surpassed 125 total donors making multi-year philanthropic donations. Legends Society commitments are above and beyond seating requirements and are separate from ‘Cuse Athletics Fund (‘CAF) annual membership levels, the university noted.
The donations are used to support the construction of the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, which Syracuse believes will “enhance experiences” across all 20 sports and benefit more than 600 student-athletes.
The first phase of construction for the Lally Athletics Complex began in March and includes a new entryway and student-athlete academic support area, Syracuse University said.