Feature photo by Paul Flessland
We asked you, Bison Nation, to send us your questions about the NDSU athletic program and you answered the bell. Now it’s time for Bison Illustrated and NDSU Director of Athletics Matt Larsen to answer back. Where does NDSU stand financially? Should NDSU go to the FBS? These burning questions and more were proposed by you and Larsen has the answers.
Read Part 1 of our 4-part series here.
Read Part 2 of our 4-part series here.
Editor’s Note: Two weeks after we published this article in the magazine, USA Today updated its finance numbers through the 2016 year. Go to this link to find the updated numbers through 2016.
TEAM MAKERS BY THE NUMBERS
DID YOU KNOW?
Team Makers gave NDSU Athletics $5.7 million last season, which includes cash donations, trade for goods and services and other revenues. The cash donation alone of $4.7 million was one million more than what they gave in 2015.
TERMS AND TITLES TO KNOW IN THE TEAM MAKER CHART
TEAM MAKERS
Non-profit organization committed to raising scholarship money for student athletes. Memberships start at $100/year.
BISON PRIDE FUND
Annual giving to support scholarships, cost-of-attendance and program excellence.
CIRCLE OF CHAMPIONS
Team Makers giving more than $11,000/ year.
ENDOWMENTS
Endowments can be established to provide annual scholarships for student-athletes that are funded for perpetuity.
LARSEN’S TAKE: INVESTING FOR FUTURE SUCCESS
“(Team Makers) have seen their return on investment and understand that to continue the success, they have to continue to invest in the program. I think we have a very educated fan base, they’re extremely smart, they understand college athletics, and they understand that to continue to grow and get better, they need to invest and it requires revenue. That’s where I think they have stepped up year after year.”
*Numbers based on data taken from sports: usatoday.com/ncaa/finances
