This year marks the beginning of a revitalized Army Baseball Family strategic campaign that will be guided by three major lines of effort – Outreach, Fellowship and Growth. We have already sparked an exuberant response from many alumni, family and friends to the retooled Army Baseball Newsletter, and we love where this initial momentum in the outreach line of effort has brought us, in very short order.

Additionally, Coach Tracz has committed to a quarterly Zoom update, with the very first recently conducted on 31 July 2024, and the next one scheduled for 14 November.

There were upwards of fifty participants on the call. The enormous success of the annual Stephen ReichMemorial Golf Tournament, now in its fifth year, has been a truly valued opportunity for alumni and family fellowship, and very impressive short-term fundraising too. We hope to add at least one other annual event in the Spring during a homestand to provide an opportunity to recognize our players, coaches and teams of the past. However, without a steady contribution to long term financial growth and stability these initiatives, and sustained progress, the team just is unable to sustain continued success and competitiveness. This is where alumni and friends of Army Baseball are really needed.

Following the path of recent successful fund-raising efforts like the lacrosse, hockey, rugby and gymnastics teams, our immediate goal is to double our impact by doubling the number of alumni who are participating actively in financial contributions. The Army Baseball Team has been one of the most successful teams of all intercollegiate sports at West Point in the last twenty-five years, winning six Patriot League Championships in a row! However, its continued success is dependent upon its continued support. Several alumni have made longstanding financial pledges to support Army Baseball, and their contributions are spectacular, and the team and the staff are enormously grateful.

However, there are many former Army Baseball players who have not had the opportunity to make a directcontribution to support an endeavor from which many of their fondest college memories AND friendships originated.

Why the need for additional resources, and why an endowment? The cost of Division I college baseball at the academy has grown well beyond what the US Government is going to fund to remain competitive. We would anticipate the baseball share of the Army West Point Athletics and/or USMA Defense budget may get further pressure in the years ahead. So, we must supplement that budget withprivate funding. Private funds collected in both a near-term team fund, as well as monies focused at an endowment send a message of planned long-term stability, fiscal responsibility, and financial viability. They enhance the organization's prestige and credibility. An endowment gift is a donation that is given with the intent to preserve the original value of the gift, and to grow it over time. The endowment funds are held in perpetuity and invested, and the accumulated appreciation and income on the investment is used to fund an annual distribution, while the Team Fund contributions can be used to offset current year’s expenses and resource the team’s immediate needs.

How will the money be spent? The team’s resourcing priorities are shown below, and the head coach ultimately has the discretion to use the funds along these lines of effort:

1.    Facility Upgrades (Team Room, Dugouts, Scoreboard/Videoboard)

2.    Coaches: New positions, Recruit and Retain Quality Coaches

3.    Program Experience

a.    Travel, Meals, Equipment

b.    Technology (Doubleday Field, Johnson Stadium, Hitting/Pitching Facility)

Why AOG/Army A-Club? West Point is a federally funded public institution and is therefore prohibited bylaw from raising money or managing an endowment. AOG is a private not-for-profit organization that fulfills that role for West Point.

Why should I give? It is probably not a stretch to say that much of your personal enjoyment, success, andidentity as a cadet were linked to the lifelong relationships you made through Army Baseball, and theexperiences that started on Doubleday Field. So, as the writers of the Declaration of Independence mightsay, “Given this truth to be self- evident,” it makes great sense for your personal commitment to help sustain the legacy and success of this shared experience well into the future!

When can I give? Anytime. While there will be specific, periodic fundraising efforts or entire days outlinedby AOG such as the annual giving day this year on December 3rd, you can make a pledge or contribution immediately.

How much should I give? This is a personal choice, that is driven by what you can afford and what youcan emotionally justify. Everyone's circumstances are different, and you might be able to give a large gift in one payment up front. Or you may want to spread it out over 12 months or even a few years. For example:

$83/month for 12 months is $1,000

$166/month for 60 months is $10,000

$208/month for 12 months is $2,500, for 24 months is $5,000 and for 36 months is

$7,500.

You get the idea, do what works for you.

 There are two specific funds at which you can target a donation to help the baseball team. The Team Fundis directed at supporting immediate, short-term needs, and the Endowment is designed to generate long-term financial stability. Both funds can be accessed easily through the Association of Graduates website embedded link below.

How do I give?  Use this link: https://alumni.westpointaog.org/sports?giveto=armybaseball

With whom can I talk about this? The Association of Graduates is the non-profit organization responsible for the long-term growth and stability of the United States Military Academy, and our recognition of this withthe unified Army Baseball campaign helps us focus our alumni, family, friends, and supporters’ financial contributions into one place!

A graduate and former player, Kevin Batule (’83), has volunteered to lead this charge. He will maintaincontinuous access to the major gifts’ representatives in AOG who have specific, technical expertise about pledges, taxes and donation methods. Most importantly, he will work alongside our Director of Sport Specific Giving, Andrew Sahawneh.

We believe that an essential ingredient to the endowment’s future success is participation by alumni. We willdesignate specific “decade reps” who will help generate increased contact w/ teammates, and consequently a greater, more comprehensive level of participation.

Go Army Baseball. Beat Everyone!