LOGAN, Utah – Utah State University, in partnership with Aggie Athletics, the Big Blue Club and University Advancement, hosted a Reach and Rise campaign event at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Friday evening as part of the broader Create Your Aggie Impact initiative.
The event highlighted the importance of continued financial support from dedicated Aggies, with a focus on the daily well-being of student-athletes, supporting critical areas that include mental health, nutrition, leadership and career development, and overall financial assistance. Contributions also help raise the standard of excellence, increasing funding for recruiting, staff and student-athlete retention and facility enhancements.
Reach and Rise is the most ambitious fundraising initiative in Utah State history and the first comprehensive capital campaign for the athletics department. With the recent House settlement allowing athletic departments to share revenue with student-athletes, philanthropic support is more essential than ever in this new era of intercollegiate athletics.
During the 2024 Create Your Aggie Impact event, Utah State Athletics announced a transformational $10 million gift from longtime supporters Jim and Carol Laub. Formerly anonymous, the Laub family revealed their identity to encourage others to make their impact.
That donation helped launch the campaign, which had raised $28 million in gifts and pledges before Friday's event. With additional contributions from generous donors, including John Loffredo, Diane and Steve Mothersell and Patty and Tom Willis, athletics has nearly surpassed $29 million since the campaign announcement.
Aggie investors across the nation have made a remarkable contribution during the 2024–25 academic year, including a record-setting A Day of Giving that exceeded the previous high by 23%. Additionally, the Blue A Collective, in partnership with the Big Blue Club, expanded participation by 115%. The Match Madness campaign, launched during the men's basketball team's NCAA Tournament appearance, brought in over $1 million in donations and pledges.
Support for the Big Blue Club provides transformative resources for Utah State student-athletes, empowering excellence in competition and the classroom while helping recruit and retain championship-level talent in Logan and graduate the next group of Aggie leaders.
Big Blue Excellence Fund
The Big Blue Excellence fund helps cover tuition, housing, books and academic support for 360 student-athletes, providing a lifetime of success through a college education. Donate
online or contact the Big Blue Club at (435) 797-2583.
