Louisiana Tech University athletics has renamed its fundraising unit from “Development” to “Championship Resources.”
The term Championship Resources is not new to Louisiana Tech athletics. Vice president and director of athletics Eric Wood introduced the phrase to Tech in fall 2020 when he first arrived on campus from the University of Central Florida, which began using Championship Resources in reference to athletics fundraising in 2018.
Since arriving at Tech, Wood has integrated the phrase into the everyday fabric of the Tech athletics division, according to an announcement Monday on the Louisiana Tech website.
“Championships require Championship Resources. Our student-athletes are at the core of everything we do,” Wood said. “At the end of the day, our job is to provide them with the resources necessary to win championships and continue to be successful in the classroom and in life.”
Championship Resources will serve as the fundraising arm of the Louisiana Tech athletic department, which will house the Louisiana Tech Athletic Club (LTAC), T-Club, Young Alumni discount, and a new major giving society to be announced soon. Championship Resources will also spearhead giving towards capital projects and sport-specific initiatives.
“We want to reimagine the way our fans, alumni, and community view fundraising for Louisiana Tech Athletics,” said Colton Primm, associate athletics director for Championship Resources. “Philanthropy is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Through the Championship Resources rebrand, our goal is to provide clarity for the different avenues that exist to support Louisiana Tech Athletics and make it easy for our fans to be involved philanthropically in the area of their choosing.”
LTAC serves as the unrestricted annual fund for athletics, which provides operational support to all 16 sports. LTAC membership includes exclusive benefits such as priority seating and parking at athletic events.
Under Wood’s leadership, Louisiana Tech has reintroduced the T-Club, the athletic alumni group. T-Club relaunched in fall 2021 with a goal of reuniting former student-athletes with one another and reconnecting them to their alma mater. All former Tech student-athletes, coaches and managers are eligible to become a T-Club member. There is a one-time joining fee of $250. Dues are used towards the purchase of letter jackets for current Tech student-athletes. Additionally, dues help in hosting T-Club events and providing networking opportunities.
Upon joining, T-Club members will receive personalized access to a Handshake job posting board and employee partner information, a 50 percent discount on LTAC annual membership and invitations to exclusive Louisiana Tech events. T-Club members will also receive an exclusive T-Club hat, a T-Club lapel pin and a T-Club vehicle decal as one-time joining gifts.
Louisiana Tech athletics’ new Young Alumni discount offers a 50 percent discount on LTAC membership, as well as 50 percent off of all season ticket purchases. All LA Tech graduates under the age of 26 automatically qualify for the Young Alumni discount by joining LTAC. For example, by making a $500 gift to LTAC, Young Alumni will receive membership and benefits at the Trophy Level ($1,000).
A first-of-its-kind major giving society is in the works for Louisiana Tech Athletics. Through five-year pledges, this philanthropic shareholder group will be strategically focused on improving the position of Tech athletics for the next round of conference realignment. More information on the society will be announced in the coming weeks.
“We want to be the most sought-after Group of Five program in the country,” Wood said. “In order to accomplish this, we have to look the part. This starts with our coaches and staff and extends to our alumni and fans. It is my hope that the Championship Resources rebrand will help educate and encourage our fans on the ways they can philanthropically support Louisiana Tech Athletics.”
