April 27, 2009
Dear Newman University Supporters:
The Newman University wrestling team just finished our first year of NCAA Division II competition.
Under the direction of newly appointed Head Coach Ryan Smith and Assistant Coach JD Johnson, the Jet’s coaching staff has set high standards for the years to come and have numerous top prospects looking to wear a Jet singlet in 2009-2010. The coaching staff continues to make it their personal mission to make Newman University a premier NCAA Division II wrestling program.
As you may know, Newman University competes in fourteen NCAA Division II sanctioned sports, including wrestling. Newman is one of only two NCAA wrestling programs in the entire state of Kansas. Unfortunately, due to our transition the past two years from NAIA to NCAA, our wrestling facilities have not been adequately addressed. It is no secret that Newman has the potential to become one of the elite programs in the country. In the state of Kansas and the Wichita area in particular, high school wrestling is a recruiting “hot-bed.” We feel that in order for this vision to be realized, Newman University needs to be able to accommodate 25-30 wrestlers.
Currently, we do not have availability or adequate room to safely practice for this roster size in wrestling. We do have an area on-campus that, with your support, can be renovated into a first-class NCAA wrestling facility. This renovation will include structural layout changes, custom fit mats, wall padding, a film study room, cardio workout area, air ventilation, and new lighting. We believe this renovation will also allow us to have at the very least a “home” for our student-athletes and improve all-around health and safety conditions, which are especially critical in our sport. Furthermore, this new room will have an instant impact on recruiting future prospective student-athletes to Newman University.
Funding is the next critical step in the upgrading of athletic facilities to NCAA standards that we have continually been addressing this year at Newman University. Recently, our supporters have donated materials, time, professional services, and financial resources for a new softball press box, new baseball field sod and sprinkler system, a new softball field tarp, new carpet in our basketball locker rooms, renovation of our athletic training facility, and many other projects. The response from Newman supporters for these endeavors has been outstanding and unbelievable, which is greatly appreciated by our student-athletes and athletic department staff members. These are the necessary steps that strengthen our resources to enhance our level of competitiveness and provide opportunities for students to compete in NCAA intercollegiate sports in an educationally sound and safe environment.
We have a clear vision for the immediate future of our wrestling program, but we need your help in making this renovation of our wrestling program a reality for our student athletes at Newman University. Here is an estimated summary of renovations to benefit our wrestling program below. All donations are tax deductible.
Room Renovation $ 73,000.00
Locker Room/ Video Room $ 17,000.00
Competition Mat $ 10,000.00
Training Equipment $ 4,000.00
Competition Scoreboard and Spotlight $ 6,000.00
Total $110,000.00
Here are the tangible benefits for you or your company’s donation to this wrestling facility renovation:
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS:
Donation ($) Reward/Benefit
$50,000.00 & above *Wrestling room will be dedicated to the donor (individual or company)
*Five Year Banner in main gym
*Company Logo/Name printed on competition mat
*Recognized publicly at one of NU's home duals with a plaque of recognition
$20,000.00 *Locker Room/ Video Room will be dedicated to the donor (individual or company)
*Three Year Banner in main gym
*Company Logo/Name printed on competition scoreboard
*Recognized publicly at one of NU's home duals with a plaque of recognition
$10,000.00 *Three Year Banner in main gym
*Recognized publicly at one of NU's home duals with a plaque of recognition
$5,000.00 *Two Year Banner in main gym
*Recognized publicly at one of NU's home duals with a plaque of recognition
$2,500.00 *One Year Banner in main gym
*Recognized publicly at one of NU's home duals with a plaque of recognition
$1,500.00 *All donors at this level will be placed on one single banner and displayed for one year
We appreciate your time in reviewing our proposal and we hope we have inspired a clear vision for Newman University Wrestling. With your support and contribution, the Newman University wrestling team will thrive here in the Midwest and be a contender at the NCAA Division II national championships.
If you are interested in supporting our wrestling renovation project or if you have any questions, please call us at one of the numbers listed below. Once again, we appreciate your support and look forward to thanking each and every one of you personally. GO JETS!!
Sincerely,
Vic Trilli Ryan Smith JD Johnson
Director of Athletics Head Wrestling Coach Assistant Wrestling Coach
Newman University Newman University Newman University
Office: (316) 942-4291 Office: (316) 942-4291 Office: (316) 942-4291
ext. 2118 ext. 2447 ext. 2447
trilliv@newmanu.edu smithry@newmanu.edu johnsonjef@newmanu.edu