Titan Boosters Begin Drive to Save Football

Cal State Fullerton’s athletic department Monday night officially launched a $2.3-million, two-year fund-raising campaign, which, if successful, will offset $1.3 million in projected budget shortfalls and cover the $1-million goal of the next two Titan Athletic Foundation spring drives.

The campaign was sparked last week when President Milton A. Gordon was considering killing the football program because of state funding problems. Gordon decided to retain the sport on the condition that the athletic department raise enough through private donors to balance its budget.

Walt Bowman, TAF executive director, said the drive will be directed by fund-raiser Robert B. Sharp, who has been involved with raising money for the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

The drive will target three primary groups: alumni, students and community leaders. Another primary objective is to secure a multimillion-dollar donor for whom the new Titan Sports Complex could be named.

A seat-option plan for the on-campus stadium, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 1992, will be developed this week and is expected to account for the bulk of the pledges. Under the plan, season tickets and other benefits would be tied into donations to the athletic department.

Bowman said the TAF already has received about $150,000 in two-year pledges. Approximately $1.15 million must be raised by June 30, 1992, to balance next year’s budget and another $1.15 million must be raised by June 30, 1993.