WHY YOUR HELP IS IMPORTANT

Nearly a year ago, your efforts helped the women's gymnastics program at Cal State Fullerton secure its 2009-10 competitive season and gain time to raise funds to make the program self-sustaining. Jill Hicks, Cal State Fullerton's coach, and her team have worked hard since then to reach the financial goals to sustain the program that were set by the university's athletic department. That deadline is April 1, and they are $100,000 shy of their goal. Included is a letter from Jill, which outlines what Cal State Fullerton's efforts have been so far.

Collegiate gymnastics is the goal and desire of most of our Junior Olympic gymnasts, male and female. It is the reason many of our gymnasts train and compete, and we don't want to risk the loss of one more collegiate program. We at USA Gymnastics provide support for both men's and women's collegiate programs, publicly and behind the scenes. While we are working to help develop some long-term strategies for collegiate gymnastics, in the short-term we need to help Cal State Fullerton as much as possible.

Please take the time to read Jill's letter, and we hope you will join us in assisting this program today.

Dear supporters of Cal State Fullerton's gymnastics program:

As you know, the women's gymnastics program at Cal State Fullerton has been fighting for survival due to economic pressures during the past year. Through your generosity, we have been able to sustain ourselves through the 2010 season, but we now face challenges for the future.

In conversations with the athletic department, an additional fund-raising effort is necessary to secure the program for 2011 and beyond. Again, more good news is that a great deal of money has already been raised and provides a strong base toward the necessary goal, but there is still work to be done.

Currently, we need to secure an additional $100,000 in pledges before April 1, 2010.

We realize this situation is less than ideal; however we want to assure you that we are not just relying on the generosity of the gymnastics community. During the past year, a variety of activities helped us along the way and the entire Cal State Fullerton team has participated. These activities included:

• An increased marketing effort within the local community to raise awareness of gymnastics and partner with local clubs.

• Special events, such as an evening with Nastia Liukin and a Junior Olympic meet, designed to help us raise money.

• On-line and phone-a-thon marketing campaigns where the team members play a large role in soliciting donations.

• Meetings with local community leaders to raise awareness and seek assistance in fund-raising.

These types of things will continue in the future to sustain the economic viability of our program in partnership with the university.

Right now, though, we are asking for your help once again. We would appre­ciate any financial contribution that you can make to help us achieve our goal. All donations are tax deductible, and we are willing to consider a scheduled time in the calendar year when your donation can be made more easily.

To make it easy for you, click here to make a pledge or if you want to donate funds to Cal State Fullerton right now, click here.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact me at jhicks@exchange.fullerton.edu.  Thank you for your continued support of our program. 

Sincerely,

Jill Hicks

Head Coach, Cal State Fullerton