Pocatello, Idaho – Following a lead gift announcement of $50,000 by Cole Chevrolet, Nissan, Kia at the Bengals football game on October 9, Idaho State Athletics will be launching its Prepare to Roar campaign on Monday, October 25.
Now in its second year, Prepare to Roar features giving opportunities to the 12 Bengal Sports Clubs and the department's unrestricted account, the Champions Fund. Every dollar raised helps benefit ISU teams with nutrition, equipment, medical care, academic support, facility enhancements, and more.
Last year's inaugural campaign raised $260,867 for ISU Athletics by way of 268 donations in a two-week span, and later surpassed $275,000 once all pledges were fulfilled.
"The support we received during the height of the pandemic was truly amazing," Athletic Director
Pauline Thiros said. "Classes were being taught virtually and seasons were postponed, yet our donor base stepped up and inspired our student-athletes and coaches during a critical time."
This year's campaign will run October 25 through November 5 and four matching gift opportunities have already been secured to help raise the bar even higher.
Joe and Judy Saratore, who were instrumental in establishing the Champions Fund in 2019, have generously offered to match $50,000 to the fund for the second time in three years.
Portneuf Health Trust has added a $20,000 match for donations to Bengal Nutrition to help support every ISU student-athlete. With their gift, Portneuf Health Trust will become the Presenting Sponsors of the Bengal Nutrition program for the 2021-22 academic year.
In addition, ESI Construction of Boise and Brad Cook will be fittingly matching $10,000 to ISU Volleyball's Match Point Club and former head football coach Dave Kragthorpe and his wife Barbara will be matching up to $15,000 to their scholarship endowment which benefits Idaho State Football student-athletes.
"The gift matching opportunities that keep coming in are vital for our department," Thiros added. "Not only do they create excitement as we launch Prepare to Roar but they allow donors at every level to get involved and double the impact of their giving."
Recent letters from Tyler Vander Waal (football) and Austin Smellie (men's basketball) emphasized the impact of donor support and how Bengal student-athletes feel the generosity.
Click here to read Tyler Vander Waal's letter
Click here to read Austin Smellie's letter
As part of Prepare to Roar, donor name plates will also be available in various Bengal team locker rooms. Donations of $500 or more to Idaho State Football will receive a nameplate on the "12th Man Wall" (6 spots remain) and the same opportunities will be available for women's soccer (28), women's volleyball (19), men's tennis (10) and women's golf (9).
In this short video clip, Head Football coach
Rob Phenicie visits with longtime Bengal supporters Glenn Alford and Jerry and Rozan Miller to dedicate their "12th Man Wall" nameplates.
To inquire about supporting your Bengal Sports Club of choice, or to provide another matching gift opportunity during Prepare to Roar, please contact Associate Athletic Director
Joel Moersch at (208) 282-4503 or joelmoersch@isu.edu.
