East Texas A&M University Athletics

The Student-Athlete Excellence Fund aids Lion Athletics in addressing the department’s most critical needs, supporting every corner of Lion Athletics. From academic achievement awards for our top student-athletes, to scholarships, facility enhancements, sports medicine, and nutrition support, this fund benefits all 14 varsity sports and helps drive success.

Annual gifts to the Student-Athlete Excellence Fund qualify for membership and benefits.

Benefits of giving to the Student-Athlete Excellence Fund can be found HERE.

Your contribution to the Competitive Excellence Fund propels our student-athletes forward in competition, in the classroom, and beyond. Every dollar directly strengthens their opportunities through Name, Image, and Likeness support, empowering them to compete at the highest level while representing the pride of ET.

Annual gifts to the Competitive Excellence Fund qualify for membership and benefits.

Give to the Competitive Excellence Fund HERE.

Benefits of giving to the Competitive Excellence Fund can be found HERE.

A formal announcement on a leadership giving program is going to be announced later this spring. 

Contact Tre.Johnson@etamu.edu to learn more about making a major gift to Lion Athletics

Passionate about a specific Lion team? Direct your support where it matters most.

At East Texas A&M, supporters can give directly to the operating budget of any varsity Lion Athletics program. These funds support essentials like team travel, equipment, recruiting, nutrition, and more. Just select your team from the dropdown at the link below to make your impact.

All sports-specific gifts are tax deductible but do not qualify for membership or benefits unless they meet the minimum major gift criteria.

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Support cutting-edge facilities and help student-athletes succeed.

• The Field House
• Memorial Stadium
• Lion Soccer Field
• John Cain Family Softball Complex
• Thrower Center for Student-Athlete Success
• Naming Opportunities

Invest in new facilities that will provide resources for our athletes.

• Rene' Griffin Event Center
• Naming Opportunities

Lion Boosters is the primary fundraising framework for East Texas A&M University Athletics. Operating under the East Texas A&M University Foundation, it unifies all philanthropic support for Lion student-athletes across 14 NCAA Division I sports.

Its mission is simple: provide the resources our student-athletes need to succeed academically, compete at the highest level, and grow as leaders — while positioning Lion Athletics to compete for championships.

The East Texas A&M University Foundation serves as the philanthropic partner of East Texas A&M University (ETAMU), managing external funding to support the University’s mission to “Transform Lives.” The Foundation’s mission is to promote East Texas A&M University through engagement and philanthropy with alumni and friends to support and enhance the University, its programs, deserving students, faculty, and staff in meeting the University’s educational needs.

As East Texas A&M competes at the Division I level, the financial landscape of college athletics has changed dramatically. Scholarship costs, NIL opportunities, enhanced academic services, sports performance resources, and facility expectations all require increased investment.

Lion Boosters creates a unified, strategic approach to philanthropy that ensures our programs remain competitive and our student-athletes are fully supported in today’s Division I environment.

Consolidation creates clarity, efficiency, and greater impact. By bringing these funds together under the Student-Athlete Excellence Fund (SAE), Lion Boosters simplifies giving and allows Athletics leadership to direct resources where they are needed most.

This unified structure ensures donor support is deployed strategically — funding scholarships, academic support, sports performance, travel, and other department-wide priorities that directly benefit student-athletes.

Transparency and accountability are central to Lion Boosters. All gifts are processed through the East Texas A&M University Foundation and follow established financial oversight standards.

Donors may designate gifts to specific funds or sports, and the department will provide regular impact updates showing how contributions support scholarships, NIL opportunities, program enhancements, and championship success.

Lion Boosters is designed for long-term strength. Through a combination of annual giving, major gifts, capital investments, and permanent endowment support, we are building both immediate impact and lasting financial stability.

The Roar for 4 initiative — establishing a base of 4,000 annual donors — creates a broad, reliable foundation that sustains Division I competitiveness year after year.

The 4,000-donor goal is based on analysis of successful Division I programs that consistently compete for conference championships and national postseason opportunities.

One common trait among those programs is broad annual donor participation. Reaching 4,000 annual donors provides the financial stability and engagement necessary to support all 14 sports at a championship level.

Learn more about the Roar 4 For campaign HERE.

Major gifts are essential — but long-term success is built on broad participation. A strong annual donor base provides stability, predictability, and shared ownership of the program’s success.

Roar for 4 reflects a belief that championships are powered by community. When thousands of alumni and supporters invest annually, they strengthen not only financial resources but also the momentum, visibility, and culture of Lion Athletics.

Your donor benefits remain unchanged. Giving levels and associated benefits will continue as before.

Annual gifts to both the Student-Athlete Excellence Fund (SAE) and the Competitive Excellence Fund (NIL) now count cumulatively toward benefit levels. For example, a $30 gift to SAE and a $30 gift to the Competitive Excellence Fund combine to qualify for Lion Level benefits.

This structure provides greater flexibility while preserving the recognition and benefits donors value.

Gifts previously directed to LASF transition into the Student-Athlete Excellence Fund. Because SAE consolidates scholarship and excellence support, your gift will continue to fund scholarships and department-wide student-athlete needs.

No action is required unless you choose to designate your gift differently in the future.

No. You may support one or both funds, and your cumulative annual giving across the two determines benefit eligibility.

This allows you to support scholarships, program enhancements, NIL opportunities, or a combination of all three — while receiving recognition based on your total investment.

Yes. Because Lion Boosters operates under the East Texas A&M University Foundation, gifts are processed through the Foundation and may be tax-deductible as allowed by law. Donors should consult their tax advisor for specific guidance.