Indiana University Athletics
IU Varsity Club: The Team Behind the Teams
6/24/2011 12:00:00 AM | Varsity Club
June 24, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Want to know how to get reserved parking at football games? Got a question about how Priority Points work? Want to know more about the Stadium Club or the Courtesy Car program? Not sure who to contact? We're here to help!
The Varsity Club is made up of 14 individuals. Each of us is dedicated to fundraising efforts to support IU student-athletes and enhance IU Athletics, but day-to-day we are focused on different areas within our organization.
Deputy Athletic Director Scott Dolson heads up our organization in addition to leading the athletic department's external operation divisions (ticket office, sponsorships, event management, marketing and media relations). Scott has been with IU Athletics for 20 years. While at IU, he was a manager for the men's basketball team for four seasons, including the 1986-87 NCAA championship season.
Assistant Athletic Directors Kelly Bomba and Eric Neuburger manage daily operations and the continued development of the Varsity Club. Kelly is focused on directing major gifts, the IU Glaubinger Athletic Endowment and capital fundraising campaigns. Working closely with the IU Foundation, Eric heads up our annual giving fundraising efforts, finances and gift processing.
We have four Assistant Directors of Development, whose efforts are directed toward outreach to current members and cultivating new Varsity Club donors. Anne Fagan, Jim Muehling, Anthony Thompson and Kevin Van Rooy frequently travel throughout the state and connect with donors via phone and email to answer questions and update individuals on happenings within IU Athletics.
In addition to donor development, Jim Muehling is heading up fundraising efforts for IU's new baseball and softball stadiums. Anthony Thompson runs our Courtesy Car program, which currently has 34 cars. And Kevin Van Rooy oversees the Stadium Club at Memorial Stadium, which combines the comfort and convenience of indoor seating along with catered food and beverages to provide an all-inclusive game day experience.
Many of our season ticket holders are also very familiar with Assistant Director Chris Minderman who directs our stewardship efforts and answers many questions related to priority points, season tickets, and parking. Chris also heads up our Glory Plaza Brick Campaign, which is a unique way to become a permanent part of IU Hoosier history through recognition on a Memorial Stadium brick paver.
If you attended an IU Tailgate Tour event or one of the Varsity Club's special events throughout the year, you've probably seen Mary Jo Philhower, our Assistant Director for Alumni Outreach & Special Projects. All of our events, from receptions to dinners to groundbreakings and dedications can be credited to Mary Jo. She also oversees football game day hospitality in the press box suites and coordinates the tri-annual Varsity Club National Board of Directors meetings.
Betsy Trotzke serves as the Varsity Club's Director of Communications. She is responsible for the creation of all of the Varsity Club's marketing materials, including the Hoosier Scene newsletter, mailings, invitations, emails, social media and electronic communications.
Katie Watson and Julie Jarrett handle the thousands of Varsity Club donor records and gift processing; Laura McCrea serves as Scott's Administrative Secretary; and Sherilyn Fosha is often the first point of contact for donor questions serving as our receptionist.
The Varsity Club's success depends entirely on the contributions made by our donors: These come under the categories of Annual Giving, Endowments, and Capital Fund gifts. It is with these donations that we pay for all of the scholarships for our student-athletes and our athletic facility improvements. In return, our donors receive a number of great benefits including first priority on the purchase of football and men's and women's basketball season tickets, reserved and discounted parking, invitations to special events and more.
It is with sincere appreciation that we thank all of you who are currently giving to Indiana University Athletics. You ensure the continuing excellence of our student-athletes both on and off the field. We welcome your questions! View our staff page for contact information for specific staff members. You can also always contact us at (812) 855-0866 or varsity@indiana.edu.
