Cal Poly swim team gets a break on fundraising goal, but still faces big challenge
Cal Poly’s swim and dive team has a new fundraising goal and deadline to meet to be reinstated after the university abruptly cut the program in March due to budget concerns.
The team now has until June 4 to raise $20 million for an endowment, according to university spokesperson Matt Lazier.
That’s a reduction from the original $25 million goal the university originally gave the team.
As of Friday, the team had raised $7.5 million across all fundraising streams, according to Cal Poly swimmer and third-year student Camilo Vargas.
“If you or anyone you know is interesting in donating or has questions about making a contribution, please don’t hesitate to reach out,” Vargas wrote to The Tribune. “You can donate, make a pledge or ask questions through our website: savecpswimdive.com.”
“Thank you for your continued support,” Vargas added.
Why did the fundraising amount change?
Originally, Cal Poly gave the swim and dive team until April 15 to raise $10 million. If it met that goal, the plan was to provide the team with another 60 days to reach the $25 million.
Cal Poly did not disclose to The Tribune why it recently decided to lower that fundraising amount by $5 million.
According to Vargas, the university did not specifically mention why it extended the deadline or lowered the fundraising amount to the team either.
“They stated, however, that they appreciate the passion and advocacy we have shown for the program,” Vargas told The Tribune via text. “They said that Matt Weinstein, vice president for university advancement and alumni engagement, and the president and his office are ready at any time to ‘talk with donors — those in our network or those new to our Cal Poly family.’”
According to Vargas, the university also told the team that competing for the Big West Championship would require a large endowment.
The team has been fundraising since March when the university first announced the cuts.
President Jeffrey Armstrong said in a statement at the time that the decision to end the program was based on budget cuts and a proposed NCAA settlement agreement he said could lead to loss of at least $450,000 per year for Cal Poly’s athletics programs.
The team was originally given no path forward in terms of fundraising, but the university ultimately issued a $25 million goal after pushback.
When it received that goal, the team mobilized.
Multiple funding streams were set up to help save the swim and dive team, according to its fundraising website.
“From $5 gifts from our friends in the stands to leadership-level corporate gifts, donations of every size are vital to securing the reinstatement and long-term future of Cal Poly Swim & Dive,” the website states.
A Go Fund Me organized for the team had raised over $80,000 as of Friday afternoon. That fundraiser is meant for donations below $1,000, according to the team’s website.
The team also created a “Buy a Block, Save a Team” campaign, which allows donors to pledge to sponsor a starting block, the website shows.
While it’s made progress toward the multimillion-dollar goal, the team still has about $12.5 million more to go before it achieves reinstatement.
The team wrote of the path ahead in an Instagram post: “We are fighting for our team, our future and for generations of swimmers and divers to come. We can’t do this without you.”
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