NORMAL, Ill. – For the last fifteen years, the fundraising arm of the Illinois State Athletic Department has been branded the "Weisbecker Scholarship Fund." Moving forward, the development efforts for ISU Athletics will operate as the Weisbecker Athletic Fund (WAF). This new name and vision for Illinois State Athletics fundraising meets several demands amongst the changing landscape of collegiate athletics and will better serve the department and donors moving forward.
The changes also establish clear, decisive initiatives and an improved structure to maximize the investments made by our Redbird community. The Weisbecker Athletic Fund, through private support from generous Redbird fans and donors, provides Illinois State Athletics with critical funding to help meet the rising costs associated with operating a first-class collegiate athletics program. An all-encompassing fundraising entity, the WAF mission remains the same – supporting student-athletes and helping them achieve success in competition, in the classroom, and in the community.
"The newly envisioned Weisbecker Athletic Fund was created to help simplify the donor experience while recognizing contributions across a broad array of areas," said Director of Athletics Kyle Brennan. "Rebranding as WAF will help us realize our full potential as a fundraising department, from better stewardship of our donors to more giving and increased membership benefits, as well as matching gifts and a clearer understanding of tax deductibility. The future is very bright for our department with this rebrand."
The Weisbecker Scholarship Fund was named after longtime ISU administrator Milt Weisbecker. A native of Mt. Vernon, Weisbecker began working at ISU as a head golf coach, assistant football coach and physical education faculty member in 1963. He was named Director of Athletics three years later, maintaining that position for the next eight years. Weisbecker established the Varsity Club, ISU Athletics Hall of Fame, Stretch Miller Award, Milt Weisbecker Endowed Scholarship and an internship program with Walt Disney World. Under his watch, Hancock Stadium became the first collegiate field in Illinois with Astroturf. Weisbecker was also responsible for hiring Will Robinson, the first African American coach for Division I basketball, while also bringing ISU Athletics into full NCAA Division I status in nine sports.
With the launch of the Weisbecker Athletic Fund, annual fund renewals are set to begin immediately. Renewal information will be sent to mailboxes the week of June 27 and online renewals will be loaded into accounts over the next 24 hours. Donors interested in making their pledge and payment can do so by clicking the link above for access to their Paciolan account.
Season ticket renewals for football and volleyball will be loaded into accounts over the next 24 hours with seat contributions for the 2022 football season reflected on season ticket renewal applications and paid and/or pledged through the renewal process. Applications can be accessed through the menu path titled, "Season Renewal Application." In addition, accounts have been updated to reflect seat contributions for men's and women's basketball located by navigating to "Manage My Account" and accessing "Renew/Pay My Existing Pledge."
If you would like to review your account and changes moving forward, you can schedule an appointment with a Weisbecker Athletic Fund staff member by calling (309) 438-3803 or by email at ISU_WAF@ilstu.edu. If you would like to discuss ticketing options, you can contact the Redbird Ticket Office by phone at (309) 438-8000 or schedule an in-person appointment by emailing tickets@ilstu.edu.
Additional announcements will follow about the Weisbecker Athletic Fund, societies, benefits, ways to give, and more. A new and improved WAF website is set to launch in the fall. Donors can continue to access their account as they have, and all information will be switched over to the new WAF structure. As the fundraising arm of ISU Athletics, the WAF remains committed to providing championship experiences to Redbird student-athletes while offering outstanding customer service to donors and fans.
To join the Weisbecker Athletic Fund or receive more information, please call the WAF office at (309) 438-3803.
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