FINANCIAL IMPACT OF PRIVATE GIFTS

The I FUND receives no financial support for scholarships from taxpayers, the State of Illinois, the University of Illinois, or U of I students. Private support, regardless of the amount, brings us closer to meeting the financial commitment to our student-athletes. Current members of the I FUND assist in assuring student-athletes are better prepared for today's challenges and tomorrow's opportunities. When members join or renew their memberships in the I FUND, they participate directly in providing support and assuring continued growth and success for Fighting Illini athletics.

The impact of these gifts is multiplied as the contributed monies go back to the University of Illinois for the payment of tuition and fees for student-athletes. Those monies are part of the annual educational budget of the University, and they enable the campus to continue to provide the best educational experience through excellence in teaching, research activities, operations and service.

Your annual gift makes a difference!

OUR STUDENT-ATHLETES

The 2003 Illinois men's tennis team had a perfect 32-0 record and won the NCAA team, singles and doubles championships.

Student-athletes at the University of Illinois are among the best and brightest in the Big Ten and the nation. Not only do they strive for honor and championships in athletic competition, they also achieve success in the classroom. Over one-half of student-athletes carry a B average or better, and they graduate at almost the same rate (72%) as the general student population. In addition, 24 student-athletes representing 9 different sports earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Also, our student-athletes understand and appreciate the financial contributions of the members of the I FUND. They know that without the generous support of more than 4,000 individuals and businesses involved in the program, many of them would not have the opportunity to attend and earn a degree from the University of Illinois.

While on campus, they learn of Illinois loyalty and its lifetime impact. The enthusiasm, pride, and traditions student-athletes experience while in Champaign-Urbana result in many former athlete(s)/letterwinner(s) becoming members of the I FUND after graduation (approximately 25% of the membership is made up of former Fighting Illini student-athletes).

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