Aug. 24, 2012

PULLMAN, Wash. - The Washington State football team is not the only Cougar program making strides as the Cougar Athletic Fund (CAF), the fundraising arm of the WSU Athletic Department, continues to see unprecedented growth over the past year.

Throughout the past 13 months the CAF has nearly doubled both in terms of new members as well as contributions to WSU Athletics' annual scholarship fund.

"CAF membership is a great indicator of the partnership between WSU Athletics and its fans," said WSU Athletics Director Bill Moos. "Cougar fans have stepped up their support as the Athletic Department has stepped up its commitment to excellence. But there is much work yet to be done. We will eventually celebrate being the most-supported school in the league the same way we will celebrate Pac-12 Championships."

Following the highly successful Night with Cougar Football events in Spokane, Tri-Cities, Portland and Seattle, the CAF Volunteer Fund Drive and an overall excitement generated by The Cougar Football Project, the CAF increased to more than 6,000 members, which under last year's totals would place WSU within 300 members of the upper half of Pac-12 Conference schools.

The CAF has made huge strides over the past year by adding 1,883 new members while moving the Cougars up the list of donor rankings among Pac-12 schools. Cougar fans can do their part to push WSU past Oregon State (6,333) and into the top six of the conference by encouraging family and friends to join the CAF and providing more student-athlete opportunities.

WSU Athletics ended the 2011 fiscal year with 4,123 CAF members (minimum $50 annual donation to the CAF). That number placed the Cougars 10th among Pac-12 schools in number of donors making an annual scholarship gift. Oregon led the conference with 8,800 donors at the end of 2011.

Those interested in joining the Cougar Athletic Fund can call 1-877-IMA-COUG, e-mail at athletics.caf@wsu.edu and by visiting CougarAthleticFund.com.