Golden Eagle Talon Club 20-21

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Golden Eagle Talon Club

2020-2021 MEMBERSHIP GUIDE

A STATEMENT FROM THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Clarion University Athletics has a proud tradition of hard work, collaboration and resilience. Last year, we launched the Golden Eagle Talon Club, and we challenged alumni and friends to step up and be counted in this athletic giving society. In its first year, we added 531 members to the Talon Club roster.

When you donate to any Clarion University Athletics program, you provide the financial stability needed to build our programs to be competitive in the conference. These funds help provide scholarship dollars, cover food and travel expenses, and help pay for cutting-edge equipment for training and preparation for competition. Our student-athletes rely on your continued support to provide the top-level experiences that enable them to reach their academic and athletic goals.

On behalf of Clarion University Athletics, I want to thank each and every one of our alumni and friends that have supported us in the past. I encourage you to join the Golden Eagle Talon Club and support us as we continue to strive for greatness.

- Dr. Wendy Snodgrass

WHY IS ANNUAL GIVING TO CLARION UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS SO IMPORTANT?

Donations to any of our 16 NCAA programs are used to enhance each one in many ways, from scholarship dollars to operational funds. Your annual gift is crucial to the long- and short-term growth of the programs we love.

giving stats

$517,609 overall raised

$179,722 operational funds raised $337,887 scholarship funds raised

CLARION UNIVERSITY SET A NEW RECORD IN 2020 WITH 211 SCHOLARATHLETES

57% OF ALL STUDENT-ATHLETES RECORDING A 3.2 GPA OR BETTER

64% OF STUDENTATHLETES RECEIVED A SCHOLARSHIP

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT COMPLETED SPRING 2020 WITH AN OVERALL 3.56 GPA 16/16 PROGRAMS WITH 3.2 GPA OR BETTER

100 STUDENTATHLETES IN SPRING 2020 WITH 4.0 GPA

158 PSAC SCHOLARATHLETES IN 2020

In spring 2018, the Pennsylvania Department of General Services began a $42.7 million renovation of Tippin Gymnasium.

After a year-and-a-half of practicing and competing in alternate locations, teams returned to Tippin; Golden Eagles volleyball hosted the first competition Nov. 15, 2019, with a victory over Mercyhurst.

The renovation was more than a facelift for the historic home of Golden Eagle athletics – it was a complete modernization and reimagining of the space, providing new amenities and features for Clarion student-athletes. The renovations include new basketball courts and seating, two new concession areas, new natatorium with a combination swimming/diving pool, expanded wrestling space, locker rooms, and office space for the coaches. Additions attached to either side of the Tippin building include a new auxiliary gym, new weight room/fitness area, and additional locker rooms and coaches’ offices.

The result is a state-of-the-art intercollegiate athletics facility and a recruitment tool to attract future students and student-athletes to the university.

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GOLDEN EAGLE TALON CLUB

The Golden Eagle Talon Club was established to recognize and show appreciation for supporters of Clarion University Athletics.

With your gift of $99 or more to ANY Clarion University athletic program, you are joining the ranks of your fellow alumni and friends as we strengthen the competitive edge for our student-athletes.

FAQs

What is the Golden Eagle Talon Club?

To put it simply, it’s a way for Clarion University Athletics and the Clarion University Foundation, Inc., to thank you. Hundreds of alumni and friends provide support to one or more of our 16 athletic programs each year. The Golden Eagle Talon Club is our official athletic giving society and a way for us to recognize your support in a way we’ve never done before.

Why the name 'Golden Eagle Talon Club'?

One of the most essential attributes of the golden eagle is its talons. When you see an eagle – either hunting or simply landing on its perch – it leads with its talons. Without them, the eagle cannot survive. By supporting Clarion University Athletics, you are LEADING the charge for current and future student-athletes to be successful. Without YOU, our athletic program cannot survive.

HOW IT WORKS

When you donate $99 or more to any Clarion University Athletics fund, you will become a member of the club. During each athletic season (July 1 through June 30), we will keep track of your total giving to Clarion Athletics program funds. As your total level of giving rises during that time window, so does your rank in The Golden Eagle Talon Club.

But I want my money to go to MY sport!

WE DO, TOO! We are not asking you to do anything different from what you are already doing. Our goal is to let our supporters know they are appreciated. We are all part of a team, and the Golden Eagle Talon Club is the team name. Continue to donate in the same manner as you have in the past – to scholarships, annual funds and/or fundraising events. It all counts!

ANNUAL GIVING LEVELS & benefits

Giving levels are determined by the total amount donated to any Clarion University Athletics fund during the athletic season. Here are a few examples of how it works:

1. James from Pittsburgh gives $600 toward football and $150 toward baseball. His total annual gift to Clarion University Athletics is $750, which would put him at the Captain level for the current athletic season.

2. Michelle from Clarion gives $1,000 toward women’s basketball and $1,000 to the Swimming & Diving Golf Outing. She also gives $500 to Clarion University’s Tippin fund. Her total gift is $2,500, which would qualify her for the All-Conference level for the current athletic season.

3. Adam and Diane from Chicago donate $99 to the Wrestling Annual Scholarship Drive. This qualifies them as Golden Eagle Fan level donors for the current athletic season.

The Golden Eagle Talon Club

Benefit Levels

Total Annual Giving To Any CU Athletics Fund

July 1 - June 30

Membership Welcome Packet

Recognition In Program & On Athletic Website

Golden Eagle Talon Club Car Decal

Invitation To Golden Eagle Talon Club Event In Spring**

Individual All Sports Passes** Compliments of the Athletic Director

Personalized Thank You From Student-Athlete

Golden Eagle Talon Club T-Shirt

Golden Eagle Talon Club Travel Mug

(benefit value of $14)

Invitation To Clarion 1867 Giving Society Events**

Invitation To President’s Pavilion & VIP Area For Select Athletic Events**

Golden Eagle Talon Club Stadium Chair

(benefit value of $50) Invitation To

A YEAR in REVIEW

COACH JEN HERRON continued to climb in the volleyball record book by becoming the first Golden Eagle coach to win 300 matches.

This past year Clarion added three new coaches to the roster: BEN BEVEVINO as the Track & Field head coach, DAMIAN PITTS as Men’s Basketball head coach, and ALEXA REAM as Women’s Soccer head coach.

Tippin reopened the weekend of November 15, 2019, with Volleyball and Wrestling both earning home wins.

EMMA KEHN and ANNA VOGT earned CSCAA All-American diving honors.

NATALIE ELSE

Named PSAC Softball Champion Scholar, first in program history.

JULIA HOLDEN became Clarion Volleyball's first All-American since 2014 after finishing second in the nation in kills per set.

CONNOR CARY

was named the PSAC Men’s Swimming Freshman of the Year after a standout performance at the conference swimming championships in February.

SAM FARERI

became football’s first-ever two-time Academic All-American with a First Team honor in 2019.

HAILEY GERMANOSKI

Claimed the PSAC Women’s Tennis Champion Scholar Award.

BROCK ZACHERL and both earned All-American wrestling honors in 2020.

Clarion qualified three wrestlers for the NCAA Championships, marking the fifth straight year that multiple Golden Eagles earned a spot in the tournament.

Clarion Wrestling ranked in the top 10 percent in Academic Progress Rate (APR), marking the second straight year they ranked among the best Division I programs in the nation academically.

GOLDEN EAGLE TALON CLUB DECAL

One decal will be provided per household, per donor.

GOLDEN EAGLE TALON CLUB T-SHIRTS

Two per household will be available for donors.

GOLDEN EAGLE TALON TRAVEL MUG & STADIUM CHAIR

One of each item will be available for each donor.

INDIVIDUAL ALL SPORTS PASS

The Individual All Sports Pass grants one individual admission to ALL Clarion University home games that require paid admission. Tickets will be mailed prior to the season and on a bi-weekly basis as the season progresses. If tickets are needed in advance, arrangements will be made for pick-up by calling 814-393-2637.

PRESIDENT'S PAVILION & VIP EVENTS

You and a guest are invited to join us for food and beverages at any home Clarion University football games and select Clarion University Athletics home games in Tippin Gymnasium during the 2020-21 Athletic Season.

YOU MUST RSVP SEVEN DAYS PRIOR to the game you wish to attend.

To RSVP, please call 814-393-2572 or email alumni@clarion.edu.

A schedule of available VIP events will be listed on the Clarion University Athletics website.

If you are interested in receiving any of your benefits, pre-scheduled pick-up dates will be available or delivery will be arranged on a case-by-case basis.

**Due to the coronavirus outbreak and related CDC and university recommendations, this event is subject to change.

*The Golden Eagle Talon Club benefits are available for donations made directly to Clarion University Athletics funds through the Clarion University Foundation, Inc. Donations made to programs outside of Clarion University Athletics and/or Clarion University Foundation, Inc., will not qualify for benefits.

Ways to support my program

Annual Operating Fund – A fund used by our coaches to purchase equipment, pay for food and/or travel, purchase team gear, and cover other expenses throughout the season. These funds help provide our student-athletes the competitive edge they need to be successful.

Annual Scholarship Fund

– A fund that coaches can use for “cur rent-use” retention and recruitment purposes. Your gift creates or con tributes to a current-use scholarship fund used by coaches until funds are exhausted or renewed by the donor.

Endowed Scholarships – An endowment is an invested fund that provides scholarships for student-athletes. This is the most sustainable fund available for a team or coach to use for recruitment year after year.

As we begin the 2020-21 athletic season, more than 45 endowed scholarships are available for Clarion University Athletics. By establishing or contributing to a self-sustaining scholarship endowment, you can ensure that Clarion University Athletics has critical, long-term support to provide prospective student-athletes the opportunity to excel, while at the same time creating a lasting legacy in your name or as a memorial to others.

To find a list of endowments, go to www.clariongoldeneagles.com/endowments.

For more information on creating an athletic scholarship, contact Chris Anderson at 814-393-1832.

Please select the sport(s) you would like your donation to benefit.

Choose one the following funds. q Annual

Clarion University Athletics can always use support from our alumni and friends. There are multiple ways to impact our athletes.

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Golden Eagle Talon Club

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Be a part of Clarion Athletics. Become a member of The Golden Eagle Talon Club.

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q Check (payable to Clarion University Foundation, Inc.)

q Credit Card ($10 minimum donation)

q Monthly Gift

I authorize Clarion University Foundation, Inc., to charge my credit card $___________ /mo. on the _____ 1st of the month* OR ______15th of the month*

NAME ON CARD _____________________________________________________

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Please complete the form and return with your payment to Clarion University Foundation, Inc.

q I wish to waive my right to benefits to allow 100% tax deduction