The University of Wyoming Rugby Team is pleased to announce the Campaign to Endow Wyoming Rugby. The intent of the campaign is to insure that future generations of Wyoming Rugby student-athletes will be able to compete at the ELITE level in national competition.

     Currently, the funding from the University of Wyoming is insufficient to operate a Division 1 program and maintain its ability to meet travel, recruitment, training, equipment, and coaching requirements. USA Rugby, the governing body of the sport in the United States, has recently (June, 2003) announced its Collegiate Commitment Strategic Plan. The plan proposes to identify 10 PREMIER COLLEGE TEAMS, several Competitive Teams, and many Recreational Teams. It is Wyoming's intent to be included in the Premier Level designation. In order to assure our ability to compete, we are asking all friends, families, and alumni to join us in a concerted effort to raise funds and to continue the "Wyoming Rugby Legacy."

     The University of Wyoming Rugby Team, with the help of several generous contributors, has already begun the process. The University of Wyoming Foundation, located at 1200 Ivinson Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming 82070, manages our endowment fund. Ben Blalock is the Executive Director and Vice-President of the University of Wyoming. Currently, our fund stands at $15,800.

GOAL:      Our goal is to reach $100,000 by December 2006.

     To reach this goal, we are asking for volunteers to manage each decade of alumni: 1972-1979, 1980-1989, 1990-1999, and 2000-2003. Each volunteer will then work with former teammates to identify players from each year. Each decade will be given a fundraising goal.

CONTACT:      Rich Cortez, Head Coach, at wyorugby@wyoming.com or wyorugby@uwyo.edu for more information.

TAX DEDUCTIBLE:      Donations to the UW Rugby Endowment Fund are tax-deductible. All contributions should be sent to the UW Foundation, 1200 Ivinson Avenue, Laramie, WY 82070. You will receive a gift receipt from the University of Wyoming. PLEASE DESIGNATE UW ENDOWMENT FUND ON YOUR CHECK. Other non-endowment gifts may also be sent to the Foundation. Those funds will be used on an annual basis for operating capital. Endowment Funds preserve the principal and allow the team to use a portion of the interest earned each year for operating. The remaining interest earned remains in the fund as a hedge against inflation.

QUESTIONS:      Please address any questions you might have to Chris Allen, Director of the Annual Fund, UW Foundation, 307-766-3933, callen9@uwyo.edu.

WILL YOU JOIN US AND HELP? TO DO SO, SEND YOUR DONATION AS INDICATED ABOVE; MOREOVER, TO VOLUNTEER, PLEASE CONTACT US.