Athletics: RCAF Annual Fund donations surpass $2 million again

Tim Buckley, The Advertiser, Oct. 26, 2016

The Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation has surpassed the $2 million mark in Annual Fund donations for 2016, UL officials announced Tuesday.

This marks the third straight year in the RCAF’s eight-year history that it has eclipsed $2 million in Annual Fund investments.

Annual Fund donations provide unrestricted funds to enhance support for overall operations of the UL athletic department, including personnel and facility improvements.

With about 10 weeks left in the year, the RCAF has received $2.016 million in 2016 donations.

The number of total donors this year is approaching 2,200, according to a news release from the school.

Despite a downturn in the local area’s oil industry-dependent economy and devastating flooding throughout Acadiana and other parts of Louisiana last August, that’s closing in the RCAF’s all-time record of $2.166 million from 2015.

In 2014, $2.165 million was donated to the Annual Fund.

“This accomplishment is a testament to the passion all Ragin’ Cajuns have for their athletic programs,” RCAF executive director Jim Harris said in a statement released by the school.

“With everything this community has endured in the last year,” Harris added, “it is wonderful to see philanthropic support continue at such a high level.”

The average donation per person this year, according to Harris, currently is $20 higher than it was in 2015.