I thought I would open a thread for discussion on fundraising efforts in the Big Ten, so that people can have one place to find information on that issue.

I'll start with what's going on at RU:

Quote:“The years between now and then, it’s all about having to do the same sweat equity that every Big Ten member has had to do,” Hermann said. “Sweat equity is going to happen not only on the competition field but also in terms of us showing our worthiness out there. That’s going to require our fans to get behind us, our donors to step in and solve as much of the gap as we can. They already are stepping up to support our football program, and that’s the first step.”

Hermann said fundraising “will finish the year up 25 percent from last year,” when Rutgers reported $6.1 million in contributions to the NCAA. Rutgers has begun mandating “seat gifts” with the purchase of football tickets. For example, a $240 end zone season ticket this fall includes a $25 mandatory donation to the Rutgers Student Athlete Scholarship Fund.

Maryland ($10.7 million) also is seeing a comparable increase in support, athletic director Kevin Anderson told Gannett New Jersey, but Penn State set the East Coast bar with $24.4 million in contributions last year.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/spo.../10207629/

Fundraising is one thing I've never been able to get behind. I have about 1000 causes I'd donate to before donating a penny to my alma mater. That said, it is huge for the schools.