Oct. 26, 2012

Become a Member

PULLMAN, Wash. - The Cougar Athletic Fund (CAF), the fundraising arm of the Washington State University Athletic Department, is changing the name of its member ranking system from ticket Priority System (TPS) to CAF Ranking, Deputy Athletic Director Mike Marlow announced Thursday.

The name change is the next step in the CAF's continuing efforts to streamline its member ranking system and benefits structure.

"When you join the Cougar Athletic Fund you are playing a key role in the success of our student-athletes, and membership in the CAF is about more than tickets, it's about being a part of a team," said Marlow.

The CAF Rankings provide an objective way for the Cougar Athletic Fund to identify and reward the most active supporters of WSU Athletics. As the rankings have evolved over time, the goal has always been to reward consistent annual members with added opportunities for access to premier WSU events and postseason games, as well as priority for seating upgrades on season tickets and road games. Annual CAF membership gifts have, therefore, been prioritized with the most weight in the CAF Rankings.

"We want to simplify the way we communicate with our CAF membership," Marlow added. "We want this name change, and the changes we've recently implemented, to reflect this. Our ability to compete is dependent on the support we receive from our CAF membership and it is vital we communicate with them effectively."

Enhancing the CAF, which is charged with funding the annual costs of student-athlete scholarships, is one of the core objectives of WSU Athletics. Over the past 15 months the CAF has seen tremendous growth which has resulted in a 50 percent rise in membership. That increase places WSU among the upper half of Pac-12 Conference schools.

"It is critical that we keep pace with our counterparts throughout the conference," said Marlow. "We have closed the gap throughout the past year and continued emphasis on CAF membership will allow us to provide more opportunities to student-athletes while also reinvesting resources into facility and staff development which has become so vital to a successful athletic program."

The ranking process occurs three times annually, November 15, February 15 and June 30, the close of the university's fiscal year. Through Nov. 15, new and current members can improve their CAF ranking for 2013 football seating upgrades and earn the tax benefits of 2013 CAF membership in 2012. In conjunction with the revamped system, there was an improved benefit structure for CAF members, focusing on visible ways that CAF members can be identified in their communities.

For more information on the Cougar Athletic Fund and how you can join, call 1-877-IMA-COUG or visit cougarathleticfund.com.