Gifts to the Crimson & Gold Fund provide direct support to over 400 student-athletes that make up the Austin College Athletics Department and our 14 varsity programs. These resources help Kangaroo Athletics provide an enhanced athletic experience while empowering student-athletes today to be difference-makers tomorrow. Gifts provide support for each individual sports budget with an emphasis on travel, equipment, and uniforms. In today’s competitive and evolving athletics environment, we must build on these resources, and we must continue to increase yearly outside support to be an excellent NCAA Division III program not only for our current student-athletes but for our future student-athletes as well.
You can help ensure the continued competitive and positive experience of the Austin College student-athlete by making a gift to the Crimson & Gold Fund. Your generous annual gifts towards athletics through the Crimson & Gold Fund, as well as those directed towards Legends or The Jerry and Joy Apple Challenge for Coaching, qualify you for the benefits listed in our giving chart below. Gifts made to athletics capital projects are considered for the Robert T. Mason Society but do not qualify for the annual benefits below.
Make a Gift to Athletics Today!
For more information or to discuss other ways to provide support for Athletics, please contact Executive Director of Major Gifts JR Ohr at 903.813.2597 or Athletics Director David Norman at 903.813.2499.
Austin College ‘Roos – learn more at acroos.com
The Jerry and Joy Apple Challenge for Coaching
The Jerry and Joy Apple Challenge for Coaching was conceived by the Apples to see assistant coaches added to all our programs. At that time, Austin College student-athletes from only one sport had the advantages of assistant coaches. Following Jerry’s passing in February 2016, Joy remains committed to supporting the athletics programs Jerry loved. Gifts from the Apples and others have made it possible to hire a full-time women’s soccer assistant coach. Let’s keep the momentum going and add assistant coaches to all our teams. Our students will be the winners in this important initiative! Make your gift today.
We offer special gratitude to Joy and her late husband, Jerry ’60 for their amazing support and loyalty to the Austin College Athletics Department. In 2020, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Apple Stadium. The Apples’ gift toward that facility kicked off major enhancements, including the redesign and naming of Robert T. Mason Athletic/Recreation Complex. That redesign included renovations to Hughey Gym and the addition of Dickey Fitness Pavilion and later renovations to the soccer and baseball stadiums. In the past 20 years, the Austin College athletics program has grown from 10 sports to a historic high of 18 men’s and women’s NCAA DIII teams and a record-setting number of athletes.