Athletics Department Presents Revenue Campaign Efforts
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May 6, 2003
NEW ORLEANS, La. - With the Tulane University Board of Trustees in the midst of a review of the Athletics Department, Director of Athletics Rick Dickson and the Tulane staff, including coaches and administrators, are making a proactive effort to increase revenue and support of the Green Wave sports teams.
Tulane Athletics opened the week with a direct mail and email letter which will directly reach more than 40,000 people, including fans, alumni, and members of the community. In addition, Dickson used the early part of the week to respond to media requests in an effort to bring his five-year plan to a public forum.
The centerpieces of the plan are to increase season ticket sales and donations to the department to provide long-term stability. The Wave has set goals for ticket sales for football, men's basketball, baseball and women's athletics, while also establishing new heights for the Tulane Athletics Fund and the athletic department's endowment.
Within the next five years, Tulane hopes to reach season-ticket goals of 15,000 for football, 2,500 in baseball, 2,000 in women's sports and 2,000 in men's basketball.
In addition, Dickson plans to collect $3.5 million annually for the Tulane Athletics Fund by 2007-08, while increasing the department's endowment earnings to $1.25 million over that same time period. Finally, fans are being encouraged to commit to these levels of giving for the next five years to prove the long-term viability of Tulane as a Division I-A entity.
In order to achieve those goals, the department will embark upon a variety of efforts. A "Think Green" advertising campaign will kick off on Thursday and will eventually feature radio, television, print and outdoor advertising. Coca-Cola will partner with the Green Wave to spread the "Think Green" message throughout New Orleans and the surrounding areas.
Local businesses will asked to "Join the Green Team" and show their support for an entity which brings over $5 million in direct spending by visiting teams and fans to the New Orleans area annually. Businesses will be given the options of buying "Green Team" business packages, which will include Green Wave event tickets for the business and for charity giveaways.
Supporters can also donate money online, via the Tulane Athletics Fund section of TulaneGreenWave.com or by calling toll-free 1-866-GIVE2TU (448-3288).
The Green Wave Ticket Office will hold extended hours (Monday thru Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) while continuing to accept credit card orders via phone (504-861-WAVE). In addition, www.TulaneGreenWave.com will have the added feature of an online ticket purchase center.
The internet will be used heavily as well. The official web site of Tulane athletics, www.TulaneGreenWave.com will feature information on ways fans and supporters can "Think Green" and support Tulane athletics. Any and all support will be welcomed, from picking up a free yard sign with the term "Think Green" and the athletics ticket office phone number (504-861-WAVE) to stepping up and donating cash directly to the department.
The overall goal of Tulane's effort is to enable the Green Wave to continue to build its highly successful program, which has been called a "model" Division I-A program. While the Wave has had excellent success on the playing fields in recent years with 23 Conference USA Championships and 36 NCAA Tournament appearances, Tulane has also been among the national leaders in grade-point averages of its student-athletes and in graduation rates.
