$150,000 raised so far by new 1000 HORN$

Rams Athletics has introduced a new fund-raiser "1000 HORN$" and it has already raised $150,000 for the Department.

 The program's goal is to get 1,000 donors to give $1,000. They are requesting donations from the Ram alumni first, and will seek donations from local businesses next.

"When you are raising money, sponsors want to know just how much your own people have donated first before the sponsors donate," said Athletic Director Bill Hayes.

Billboards displaying donors are on the side of the C.E. Gaines Center and inside of the field house next to Bowman Gray Stadium.

"We put up the donor boards, so people can see who gave money to the program," Hayes said.

"We are still looking for more locations on campus to place them so that everybody will know who the 1000 HORN$ givers are."

This is not the first time that this idea was used by Hayes. He started similar programs at NCCU in 2004 and Florida A&M University in 2007.

"NCCU has taken a different direction from the program, but FAMU has stayed with the program and it has become a huge success," Hayes said.

While Hayes was at FAMU the program raised, on average, more than $250,000 a year.

"The alumni jumped right on it and supported the program and it continues to grow today," Hayes said about FAMU.

 "I hope to raise that same kind of money here at WSSU. I believe with the alumni base that we have we are more than able to do it," Hayes said.

1000 HORNS$ donors  receive many benefits including, recognition on the WSSU athletic website, preferred seating at WSSU athletic events and at WSSU home games.

"If people get the opportunity to become recognized for things that they have done then they will continue to do them."

The 1000 HORN$ givers also get first choice of CIAA tickets and reserved hotel rooms at reduced rates during those events. One hour before every home game the members are treated to a social in the field house with heavy refreshments.

The 1000 HORN$ donors may choose how they want their $1,000 spent.

"We would like for our donors to be able to distribute the money however they want. It's their money so we let them decide where it goes," Hayes said.

The 1000 HORN$ program will celebrate its members by honoring them at halftime during the Oct. 16 football game against Livingstone College.