NORMAL, Ill. – With Weisbecker Scholarship Fund (WSF) renewals rolling in, the Illinois State Athletic Department is launching its first-ever (309) Membership Drive. With an eye on the future, ISU Athletics hopes the WSF will reach new heights this year with this membership drive.
To date, over 800 members have joined, renewed, or increased their support of the WSF annual fund. The goal of the (309) membership drive is to grow the Weisbecker Scholarship Fund by 309 new members by the end of the year.
"The (309) membership drive is a creative way to draw attention to the need for annual fund support for our department. Our department is positioned well for the future, and if we are able to gain 309 new members this year, will be in even better shape moving forward," Illinois State Director of Athletics Larry Lyons said. "We will continue to push the bar higher in terms of athletic and academic success and community involvement, and we are excited for the upcoming year."
The membership drive will be broken down into two phases, with the WSF "100-in-100" first phase set to go live June 4. From June 4 to Sept. 12, the goal is to grow the WSF by one new member per day for 100 days and this first phase will come to a close at kickoff of the first home football game of the year on Sept. 12 against Morgan State. Upon completion, the second phase of the (309) Membership Drive will be announced.
The (309) Membership Drive was named to represent the 3-0-9 area code that Illinois State University student-athletes call home. Every year, Redbirds from near and far come to campus to begin their athletic and academic careers. Redbird student-athletes make Bloomington-Normal their second home and embrace what it means to be a part of the community. Representing ISU in competition, in the classroom, and in the community are foundations of what it means to be a Redbird.
"The Weisbecker Scholarship Fund is integral in our ability to provide our student-athletes with the resources needed to excel in competition, in the classroom, and in the community. It is very important to us that our student-athletes become members of the community and represent both ISU and Bloomington-Normal well," Illinois State Director of Annual Giving Sean Johnson stated. "We are excited at the prospect of the community supporting our student-athletes by joining the WSF during the (309) Membership Drive."
WSF members receive membership benefits for supporting the annual fund including, but not limited to, priority parking with the purchase of season tickets, eligibility to purchase postseason tickets before the general public, and special communication from ISU Athletics. Gifts of any size are welcome and will help reach the 100-in-100 goal and can be made at weisbeckerfund.com or by calling the WSF office line directly at (309) 438-3803.
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