RCAF Annual Fund Surpasses $1 Million During First Quarter Of 2015
LAFAYETTE – Coming off a record-breaking year for the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation (RCAF) in 2014, officials announced on Thursday that unrestricted donations to the Annual Fund surpassed the $1 million mark during the first quarter of 2015.
Unrestricted donations to the Annual Fund totaled $1.05 million in the period that ended March 31. The amount raised in donations to the Annual Fund during the first quarter comes on the heels of a record year in which $2.16 million was raised in 2014.
"Since its establishment, the RCAF has enjoyed record-setting years in regards to donations to the Annual Fund, and the first quarter of 2015 is no exception," RCAF Chairman Wayne Elmore said. "This is a great time to be a Ragin’ Cajun and we are thankful for the continued support from our incredible fan base."
During the early part of the 2015 calendar year, Ragin’ Cajuns athletics has enjoyed success on the court with women’s basketball posting its best record (23-12) in nearly a decade and capturing the 2015 Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament title. The Louisiana men’s basketball team recently completed its season where it recorded its best two-year win total (45) since 1982-84 and advanced to the third round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.
The Louisiana softball team has been ranked in the top 10 of the national polls every week during the 2015 season, the Ragin’ Cajuns baseball team is ranked near the top of the Sun Belt Conference standings while ranked in the top 10 in the nation in attendance, and the Louisiana track and field teams each posted solid finishes last in February at the Sun Belt Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships.
"We are in a period of substantial growth in athletics which will help us win championships now and into the future," Elmore said. "The RCAF Annual Fund is an investment in the future of the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. It enables us to continue to upgrade facilities, recruit and retain the best coaches and student-athletes, and provide them with the resources necessary to succeed athletically and academically."
Investments to the RCAF Annual Fund provide unrestricted funds to enhance support for overall operations, personnel, and facility improvements, such as elements of the Athletic Facilities Master Plan, which was released in 2013. Work on the first tier of an initial three-tier program continues with construction of the new Student-Athlete Performance Center and the Track/Soccer Facility, which are both slated for completion this fall.
Initial work in Tier 1 included several enhancements to Cajun Field prior to the 2014 season, including the addition of nearly 6,000 seats in the south end zone, the installment of a new state-of-the-art video display system, and additional concession stands and restroom facilities.
