FAN & DONOR ENGAGEMENT

The Viking Fund

In its fourth year, the Viking Fund - Annual Fund for CSU Athletics - continues to provide financial support for the overall experience for Cleveland State University’s 365+ student-athletes.

In addition to annual giving, the Vikings also saw a record breaking philanthropic year with $1.2+ million raised through successful initiatives including 2023 Giving Day, This City Is Our Campus Raffle, Chasing Championships, Capital Projects, and Sport Restricted accounts.

2023 Csu Giving Day

Over 2,300 individual donors supported Cleveland State Athletics on the 10th annual Giving Day, raising over $490,000 during the 24-hour fundraising campaign. Once again, this support allowed the Vikings to have another record-breaking Giving Day, with a 28-percent increase in dollars raised from last year.

Funds raised on Giving Day directly benefitted athletic teams or Viking Fund projects.

Sport Specific Giving

Cleveland State Athletics received over $550,000 in sport specific giving in 2023 through a record-breaking Giving Day in which CSU Athletic coaches led the way as CSU Ambassadors as well as through other philanthropic events throughout the school year, including multiple sport golf outings, special events and direct mailer initiatives. Through generous, sport-specific giving all nineteen programs benefitted with travel experiences, training equipment and much more in 2022-23.

51% 15% 5% 3%

Sport Specific Giving

Capital + Facility Improvements

Viking Fund

Endowments + Scholarships

Other

Thanks to your support, Cleveland State Athletics raised $1,290,000+ during 2022-23 in support of Viking student-athletes in the areas listed above.

Thanks to your support, as of May 1, 2023

Viking Derby

Following a five-year hiatus, the Cleveland State Athletic Department held the sixth ‘Viking Derby - A Night At The Races’ fundraising event in August of 2022, benefitting 365+ student-athletes as they work to become champions in the classroom, in the community and through competition. The 2022 edition of the Viking Derby featured virtual horse races, 50/50 side boards, raffle baskets, silent auction, derby themed food, and more.

2023 Athletics Hall Of Fame Class Inducted

Cleveland State held its 43rd Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony on February 18, 2023, inducting five members into the prestigious club.The 2023 class included Dominique Butler (Women’s Basketball), Norris Cole (Men’s Basketball), Natalia Daniels (Women’s Soccer), William Reith (Men’s Fencing), and Brad Stuver (Men’s Soccer).

In addition, the Cleveland State Department of Athletics also recognized the 2012 Men’s Soccer program as the 2023 Team of Distinction for capturing the program’s first-ever Horizon League Tournament championship.