T.A.F. 'Springs' Into Action With Drive, Tour
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It's been a busy spring for the Tulane Athletics Fund (T.A.F.). The "Spring Tour" of the state has kept the Tulane Athletics staff and coaches on the move with visits to the North Shore, Monroe, Shreveport, Alexandria and Lake Charles. Meanwhile, the spring drive is in full swing as a dedicated group of volunteers once again leads the annual fundraising campaign.
The Annual Spring Drive is T.A.F.'s largest campaign of the year. A group of generous volunteers, under the leadership of the T.A.F. staff, are trying to obtain all renewals and new donations by June 30th, the end of Tulane University's fiscal year. IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO GIVE! Gifts received between March 1 and June 30 are credited toward the next year, giving the donor benefits for the upcoming football, basketball, and baseball seasons. Those who have not renewed their donation to T.A.F. are encouraged to call 504-865-5356 or 1-866-GIVE-2-TU, or log on to TAF Home for information on ways to give. Tulane's 300-plus student-athletes need your help to compete on a national level in the classroom and on the playing fields.
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| Volleyball coach Betsy Becker in the RV |
While the Spring Drive is ongoing, coaches and staff members took some time away from New Orleans this April and May to travel throughout the state of Louisiana, visiting with Green Wave fans. Travelling together in a 28-foot RV provided by Paw Paw's Camper City in Picayune, Miss., the Spring Tour was not only a chance for coaches and staff to meet fans throughout the state, but also provided an opportunity for the staff to share time together as the 2001-02 school year draws to a close.
Volleyball coach Betsy Becker, men's basketball coach Shawn Finney, football coach Chris Scelfo, athletic director Rick Dickson, and senior associate athletic director J.D. Barnett all gave brief presentations at each "Tour" stop along the way. Associate athletic director Scott Sidwell and Steven Farmer, Director of the Tulane Athletics Fund, were also on hand at the events to talk Green Wave sports.
In addition to visiting with donors and the local booster clubs, Finney, Scelfo and Dickson made contact with the local newspaper, television and radio media at each stop along the tour. Articles in the Monroe News-Star and Alexandria Daily Town Talk highlighted Tulane athletics and the strides the department has made over the last year.
A warm-up for the Spring Tour on April 16th was held at Suzy and Stephen Neal's home in Mandeville. The Neal's home was amazing, and the staff was able to visit with some long-time friends, including former athlete and development officer for athletics, Neal Jones.
The Tour then "hit the road" in Monroe on Wednesday, April 24th, where Olive and Ryan Sartor and Mossy and William Guinn hosted a party at the Sartors' home. The successful event set the tone for what turned out to be a great 2002 Spring Tour.
The tour then headed to Shreveport where Aaron and Peggy Selber hosted a cocktail party at the City Club on Thursday, April 25th. The event saw a two-fold increase in attendance from the previous year, making it a huge success.
The final event of the three-day traveling tour was held in Alexandria on Friday, April 26th. Martha and Foster Walker hosted a party at their beautiful house on the lake. The party was well-attended and the food was excellent.
After a couple of days back in New Orleans, the Tulane tour group loaded back up and drove to Lake Charles for the day on Monday, May 6. The Lake Charles booster club, one of the most active in the state, did a wonderful job helping to organize a cocktail party hosted by Wayne Vincent in his home.
The T.A.F. Louisiana Spring Tour once again fulfilled its mission as Tulane Athletics administrators and coaches had the opportunity to visit with fans around the state at events hosted by some of Tulane's most loyal supporters. Meanwhile the Spring Drive heads toward its conclusion even as the Green Wave athletics program gears up for the 2002-2003 year.
