Greetings Aztec Supporters!
What a wonderful 2011-12 year Aztec Athletics we are enjoying! With the momentum carried over from our department's success last year, our programs have picked up right where they left off. Women's Swimming & Diving posted another undefeated season, continuing their dominance in the Mountain West Conference. Football made its second consecutive bowl game appearance, this time in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, and men's soccer posted their best finish in Pac-12 play since 2008. Men's and Women's Basketball finished tremendous seasons, each reaching the NCAA Tournament. The rest of the spring sports are in the midst their games, including the inaugural season of Women's Lacrosse. The Aztecs also had 275 scholar student-athletes this year, once again setting a new record.
This past winter was extremely busy time for collegiate athletics, with conference realignment taking center stage. After evaluating our current situation, the University made the decision to accept invitations into the Big East Conference for football and the Big West Conference for all other sports beginning in 2013. This move will allow our student-athletes and coaches the opportunity to participate in the highest level of collegiate sport as well as gain national exposure and improve our student-athlete experience.
The success of the Aztecs carried over into our fundraising efforts as well this year. Thanks to the tremendous support of over 2,300 benefactors, the Aztec Club set a new record for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011. $2.6 million was raised for SDSU student-athlete scholarships! I want to personally thank our Aztec Club Board of Directors, volunteers and staff for all of their efforts in making this a historic year.
With San Diego State continuing to rise in the national landscape, your support of the Aztecs is critical now more than ever. We need your assistance in this process, in order to maintain momentum for our student-athletes and programs. Here are some ways in which you can help us continue in our success:
- Join the Aztec Club. Our student-athlete scholarship bill is currently over $6 million, and will only continue to increase in the future. In order to provide the necessary resources to our student-athletes, scholarship support must be a priority for our fundraising efforts here at SDSU. If you are already an Aztec Club member, thank you for your continued support. We ask that you please consider an increase in your annual gift and help us by telling your friends, family members and colleagues about the Aztec Club.
- Purchase tickets for our sports. We offer affordable pricing for our season tickets and we can assure you the entertainment value is well worth it. Men's Basketball has a very good chance of selling out on a season ticket basis, so get your tickets today!
On behalf of 500 plus student-athletes, 19 head coaches, numerous assistant coaches and staff members, thank you for your interest in Aztec Athletics. Your investment in Aztec Athletics is greatly appreciated!
We look forward to seeing you at an Aztec event in the near future!
Go Aztecs!
James M. Sterk
Director of Athletics
San Diego State University
