Central Michigan Athletics Achieves Best-Ever Fundraising Year

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Central Michigan Athletics announced that it had a banner year in fundraising as the Chippewas totaled an all-time best $10.2 million in cash and commitments for fiscal year 2024-25. In addition, the Chippewas have enjoyed tremendous growth in their other external areas including ticket sales, attendance figures, and social media following.

"Our record-breaking fundraising year is a testament to our incredible donors that are investing in our student-athletes, coaches and sports programs," Zyzelewski Family Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan said. "This transformational giving only transpires when there is belief in what is currently happening and in the future of our department. We are fortunate that the CMU community is so philanthropic and we are grateful for their leadership.

"I especially want to thank our outstanding Chippewa Athletic Fund team, and all our staff, for their tireless efforts and commitment. Their dedication has been instrumental in reaching this achievement."

Here is a look at Central Michigan Athletics' accomplishments in its external areas over the past year:

CMU Athletics set a department record for total fiscal year fundraising by generating $10,207,531 in cash and commitments fiscal year 2024-25. That figure more than doubled the department's previous best fundraising year.

The Chippewa Athletic Fund set an annual fund record in fiscal year 2024-25 by raising $1,452,386, which is a 19.3 percent increase from a year ago. It also represents growth of 50.5 percent since 2020-21.

CMU Athletics set a department record for ticket office revenue in fiscal year 2024-25, an increase of 30.6 percent from the year prior and 4.6 percent growth over the previous record in 2016-17.

Student attendance grew by 26 percent at football games and by 22 percent at men's basketball last year.

On the social media front, Central Michigan Athletics has gained over 100,000 followers in each of the last two years. At the conclusion of fiscal year 2024-25, Central Michigan Athletics has over 420,000 total followers combining all of its social media accounts.

Overall, Central Michigan Athletics social media channels on average have grown at least 30 percent in the last two-and-a-half years. The Central Michigan Football twitter account has almost doubled and experienced growth at 40 percent during that time, while the Central Michigan Football Instagram account grew by 60 percent over that period. In addition, the men's basketball twitter and Instagram accounts doubled during that period. Other outstanding growth has been seen in softball, wrestling, volleyball, baseball, women's basketball, soccer, and gymnastics.

—CMU—

Central Michigan Athletics Achieves Best-Ever Fundraising Year

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