Oct. 1, 2005
The Monogram Club’s annual on-campus fall meeting was held Sept. 16, the day prior to the ND-Michigan State football game … excerpts from the meeting are as follows:
The meeting included comments from: deputy director of athletics (and former MC board member) Stan Wilcox; Jeff Pethick from the Office of Financial Aid; newly-elected Notre Dame president Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.; and members of the athletic department’s compliance staff. Father Jenkins – who described the Monogram Club as “the envy of all other (letterwinner) clubs” – spoke about the important role that athletics plays at Notre Dame, in helping students develop to their fullest potential through a universal commitment to excellence.
Recognition was given to the ND Stadium enhancements (funded by the Monogram Club, see pp. 1 and 3), bringing tremendous exposure for the Club.
Plans were announced for a matching-gift donation for Hurricane Katrina relief, from current Monogram Club board members – with the total amount contributed being $10,000.
The tremendous success of the ND-USC football VIP weekend package was discussed and plans were made for a similar online auction involving a VIP package for the 2005 ND-Tennessee game (see note in adjacent column).
The Brennan-Boland-Riehle Scholarship Fund – which provides need-based financial aid to Notre Dame students who are children of Monogram Club dues-paying members – has a principal market value exceeding $4 million. The fund has awarded more than $2 million in scholarship aid and currently stands atop the University’s chart for Notre Dame club-sponsored scholarship funds.
Student Welfare Committee chair Marvin Lett provided an update of the newly-created sports liaison program (see p. 5) and discussed other initiatives in conjunction with the athletic department’s student development office, including: funding for annual and postseason awards; the Club-sponsored day planner distributed to all student-athletes; sponsorship of the “O.S.C.A.R.S.” all-sports banquet; upgrades to computers made available to student-athletes during team travel; continuing sponsorship of Summer Service participants; and a potential satellite career center in the Joyce Center.
Communications Committee chair Mike Frantz reported on the ever-increasing offerings on the Monogram Club website (www.ndmonogramclub.com, also linked on und.com) and provided an update on the continuing additions to the Monogram Club kiosk database. He also proposed a motion that was approved, providing additional funding for the Inside Irish newsletter in order to include a full-color presentation and an expanded length from 12 to 16 pages.
Marketing Committee chair Mike Mitchell announced plans for creative revenue-generating initiatives, including sponsorship of the tent reception prior to the ND-USC game (PowerBar served as the sponsor). Potential events could include creative vacation projects and a mini-football camp or women’s football academy, with proceeds to the BBR scholarship fund and other charities.
BBR Scholarship Committee chair Jill Matesic reported the fund’s current market value of $4.2 million. She also led a discussion recommending a policy that clarifies eligibility requirements for the scholarship fund.
Awards Committee chair Kevin McDermott headed a discussion requesting written policy statements within each sport for service monogram criteria.
Membership Committee chair Chris Smith reported on the tremendous number of requests generated for the ND-USC pregame tent and discussed potential future events such as away-game receptions and game-watch gatherings.
Monogram Club president Julie Doyle noted that 2006-07 will mark the 30th anniversary of the first monogram awarded to a Notre Dame female student-athlete. Details on programs that will recognize this major milestone in Notre Dame history will be forthcoming in the near future (stay tuned!).