Crusader Club question

[TD]

I thought this deserved it's own thread.

justafan said:

My Question ; Is the Crusaders Club a Basketball boosters club or does it support all sports the same? I have seen them very visable at Basketball & some VB , but not much on other sports. Why don't we {crusader club members] receive regular communication , updates ,events , etc. from Them?

[valpospartan]

I went to almost ever VB game and didn't see any sign of a Crusader Club activity.

[crusaderclub]

Great question!

Crusader Club absolutely supports and raises funds for all of the Valparaiso University Athletic Teams, as well as raising money for the athletics unrestricted fund. Two years ago we changed our membership form so members can easily designate their contribution to one or more teams, as opposed to all Crusader Club contributions going to the unrestricted fund.

We have held member events in conjunction with all men's basketball, 5-7 women's basketball, and at least one football game and one volleyball match for each of the past five years. And since the spring of 2006, we have scheduled and promoted to our membership events for Softball, Baseball, Women's Tennis, Men's Tennis, Cross Country, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer and Swimming and Diving.

This past fall we held hospitality events for our members at the Volleyball game vs. UIC on Friday, September 21; the Men's Soccer match vs Butler on Sunday, September 23; the Women's Soccer match vs Butler on Sunday, September 30; and the Football Homecoming game on Saturday, October 6.

Before each series of events, I always prepare and send out a letter or a postcard to our membership to notify them of these events, and invite them to attend....if there are any current members out there who have not received this mailing, please email me and let me know.

Also, as a Crusader Club member, you should be receiving 2 newsletters from us each year, along with an Athletics postcard 3 times per year that features an update on a former student-athlete. In addition, Athletic Director Mark LaBarbera writes two letters each year updating our membership and former student athletes about activity and programs within the department. Once again, if you feel you should be receiving these items and are not....please let us know, we want to keep you informed! And thanks so much for your support.

Jackie Gray 219-464-6923 [e-mail]

[justafan]

I guess this answers my Question & it looks like it is mainly a Basketball boosters club. Trying to raise money for a new FB/TRack ? I would be visable & hold activities at all the events for these sports , certainly at all the football games. Is the Crusaders club run by any of the alum or parents that belong? Is there someone who does promos for BB & others for FB or baseball/softball ,etc.why not get parents or boosters involved? I'm just a Valpo fan & not an alum , but from my college booster club I get 15-20 letters , updates a year ,maybe more.In case you think I have something against Basketball , I do not they are terrific & have a great coach & team ,I'd just like to see the Crusaders Club more active with other sports.

[ml]

As you can see from Jackie Gray's reply the Crusader Club is involved in raising money for all of our teams.

It would be a fair statement to say that most of the Crusader Club members have joined because of their interest in men's basketball. There are active "friends" groups for each of our teams that are a tremendous help in fund raising.

Everyone who has contributed to the Crusader Club over the past four years will receive two newsletter, three postcards and three letters from my office in addition to at least three mailings from the Crusader Club over the course of the year. We want to keep people informed with out creating too much clutter.

[justafan]

Thanks for info. I still believe your club could be much more helpful to the fund raising effort , if you would expand it's activities & exposure to other sports. I have meant a number of people[ parents] that have no incentive to join Crusaders Club. Just my thoughts ,ought to try a few new things.....maybe a couple golf outings , drive among teams to get more members , etc.