Dec. 10, 2009

Mizzou Athletics hosts its inaugural ROARS event at Mizzou Arena

Sarah Baumgartner, executive director of development & Tiger Scholarship Fund, University of Missouri, tells NAADD about the Tigers' ROARS Program. 

Last spring, Mizzou started a new tradition by hosting an event honoring it’s 502 student-athletes… the ROARS! The ROARS is a celebration of our student-athletes academic and athletics achievements. On this special evening, the Mizzou community came together to reflect, recognize and revere our student-athletes. It is our belief as an athletics program that we are a part of a university, a community, a family and a legacy unmatched by any other. ROARS, which is the brainchild of the Mizzou Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), honored numerous student-athletes, coaches and professors.

“Anytime we have an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of our student-athletes, faculty, and staff we want to do so in a special manner. The ROARS proved to be a unique and significant event that highlighted the tremendous men and women we have at Mizzou.” Mike Alden, Director of Athletics

The event itself included a red carpet welcome, dinner on the Mizzou arena floor (seating for 750), where 24 awards were presented including academic awards, community service awards, Rookie of the Year, Unsung Hero, Courage Award, “We Are Mizzou” awards and many more. All of the athletics awards were voted on by members of SAAC, while the academic awards were voted on by staff members of the Mizzou Total Person Program.

“The ROARS is a great opportunity for our student-athletes to showcase more than their athletics achievements by acknowledging the hard work and dedication they have in the classroom and in the community as well as on the court (field) .” Mike Anderson, Men’s Basketball Head Coach

From the development perspective, it was an outstanding event to allow athletics donors to see Mizzou student-athletes outside of athletics competition. Donors were encouraged to arrive an hour early to attend the “red carpet” welcome for the student-athletes. After 30 minutes of welcoming the student-athletes, donors were invited to step inside to the basketball club lounge area, where student-athletes were able to stop in and visit before they headed down to the dinner. It was the perfect opportunity to give TSF donors access to the student-athletes in such a different capacity then they have experienced before. At the dinner, donors sat with student-athletes from all 20 sports.

Allowing donors access to attend this event gave them a chance to see their Tiger Scholarship Fund gift put into action as they met the student-athletes and learned about their families, their passions and their accomplishments away from the playing field. There is no publication or message we can send as a development staff that is more effective than these face-to-face interactions between the donor and the student-athlete.

The ROARS was a unique way to recognize the accomplishments of MU student-athletes in a first-class manner, while also allowing us to more deeply connect our Tiger Scholarship Fund donors with our student-athletes. This intimate, personal setting allowed the personalities of our student-athletes to shine. The ROARS reiterated to our development staff how important it is to ensure that our donors have as much interaction as possible with our student-athletes as we steward and cultivate for future gifts.

“Participation in a major university athletic program while completing a degree program is a tremendous commitment for a young person. We as spectators and fans often become familiar with the players of the major sports programs but not so familiar with every member of every university team. ROARS was the perfect event to present the opportunity to meet all the student athletes and witness the great enthusiasm that each team has for the University of Missouri. Congratulations on the presentation of this unique program!” Ron Shy, TSF Donor for 43 years

About Sarah Baumgartner: Sarah Baumgartner is in her fourth year at the University of Missouri and first as the executive director of development & Tiger Scholarship Fund. Her primary role is oversight of the day to day operations of the Tiger Scholarship Fund office as well as oversight of the development budget. Baumgartner is also responsible for stewarding, cultivating and soliciting major gifts.

Baumgartner serves as the liaison to central development on campus and also to the senior women’s administrator. She continues to coordinate and oversee the 3 Point Club for men’s basketball and is also currently a member of the Senior Management Team.

Baumgartner started as assistant director of development in 2006, before moving to director of development for annual giving in 2007.