ODAF Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

The Old Dominion Athletic Foundation (ODAF) celebrates its 50th Anniversary in the 2014 calendar year. The ODU Intercollegiate Foundation (ODUIF) was founded in 1964, with the mission to provide scholarship support for ODU student-athletes. Over the years the ODAF has evolved from primarily an annual fund to also providing financial support for capital projects, endowments and operating budgets, as well as responsibility for all premium seats sales. ODAF will begin the 50th anniversary with tremendous momentum, as it is coming off a record year in 2013.

ODAF set records in both membership and in dollars raised. The record 3,112 donors contributed more than $4.1 million - a 21 percent increase from 2012. Another milestone was the success of the Athletic Department Staff Giving Campaign. For the first time in ODAF history, 100 percent of the ODU athletic staff made a financial contribution to ODAF, which totaled more than $25,500.

The excellent fundraising year could not have come at a more opportune time for ODU athletics. An annual scholarship bill of over $8.1 million, the need to maintain and build world-class facilities and a successful transition to Conference USA makes this a crucial time for ODU athletics. The record year will help support these increased expenses. Athletic Director Wood Selig praised the work of ODAF and commended the record-breaking year.

"I congratulate Mark Benson and our entire ODAF staff on a record-setting fundraising year. Equally as important, I would like to also thank the 3,000-plus ODAF members who supported our requests for financial assistance in 2013. With our elevation to Conference USA, it is even more critical that we continue to grow our footprint of donor support and expand our donor base to aid us with our transition to a higher level of competition."

ODAF looks to continue its trajectory of success in the 50th anniversary year. Benson, senior associate athletic director, commenting on the upcoming Supporting our Pride for 50 Years Campaign, said: "As we look forward to celebrating our 50th anniversary it's important to look back and thank all of our alumni, donors, season ticket holders and staff who made 2013 such a successful year."