UM Records Set in Giving, Membership, Capital Projects
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – With an unprecedented outpouring of support from University of Miami fans and donors, 2016-17 was a record-setting year for the Hurricane Club highlighted by all-time marks in annual giving, membership and capital projects.
The Hurricane Club raised $49 million in cash and commitments in 2016-17, an all-time record and an increase of more than 80 percent from the previous record of $26.5 million, set in 2010-11.
“I want to thank all of those who have invested in our students,” Director of Athletics Blake James said. “We are continuing to Build Champions in the classroom, in competition and in life. The generosity of our passionate supporters is invested into enhancing the student-athlete experience and ensuring that we provide our young men and women with the very best resources to be successful.”
The $49 million raised was highlighted by three capital projects: the Carol Soffer Football Indoor Practice Facility, the Isadore Hecht Athletic Center renovation project and the Basketball Victory Fund.
The official groundbreaking ceremony for the Carol Soffer Football Indoor Practice Facility was held in early May at the future site of the building, expected to open in fall of 2018. The Soffer Family’s lead gift of $14 million towards the indoor football facility, announced in fall of 2016, marked the largest single gift in the history of Miami Athletics.
The Hecht Athletic Center, which reopened its front doors in May, underwent a $1 million transformation to the outside entrance and interior of the main lobby.
Through the Basketball Victory Fund, a $1.7 million renovation project provided upgrades and updates to the men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms, coaches’ offices and branding installations throughout the Watsco Center.
Including the Soffers’ pledge towards the indoor facility, there were seven gifts of $1 million or more in 2016-17, another Hurricane Club record.
The Hurricane Club’s membership of more than 11,000 members represents an over 100-percent jump from its membership of 5,140 in 2010. In addition, the $14.3 million raised for the Annual Fund represents an increase of 16.2 percent from the previous total of $12.3 million, and an increase of over 52 percent from its 2010 total of $9.3 million.
“Without the passion and generosity of our supporters, none of this would have been possible,” Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development Jesse Marks said. “We designed a plan in 2010 based upon a vision of sustaining excellence for our student-athletes in all areas of their experience at UM. Our growth as a philanthropic organization, both locally and nationally, is a testament to all who invest their resources into our program and believe in Building Champions at The U.”
