MACOMB, Ill. - The drive to 1,000 continues. At the start of this summer a new initiative began. The Leatherneck Club, Western Illinois Athletics Department's fund raising organization, is looking to expand its membership to meet the needs of more than 400 student-athletes.

The Leatherneck Club has been raising funds for student-athletes for more than 40 years. Monies raised goes towards a variety of projects for Western Athletics, including improving travel and nutrition experiences, training aids and equipment and program enhancements, but ultimately the Leatherneck Club wants to provide the best Division I experience for the student-athletes.

The current membership drive began in July with the annual golf outing. More than $60,000 was raised in the recent Purple & Gold Auction, the highest attendance numbers in several years. It's a start, but according to Sean McDonough, Assistant Athletics Director in charge of the Leatherneck Club, the demand is getting higher and higher.

"Our goal is to have more people involved, to join us in this journey of supporting our student-athletes. That's what's fun, having so many people joining together to help. Our student-athletes, our programs, need support and we need support today. Addressing that need begins with having 1,000 members in the [Leatherneck] Club," said McDonough. "Joining the Club is easy and there are great benefits outside of helping student-athletes. Joining on-line takes three minutes. Three minutes can change the life of a Fighting Leatherneck student-athlete. I'm a member because I know the impact my gift makes to all of our programs because I can see it - I work with our student-athletes every day. We want you to know, we want to show you, that your gift makes an immediate impact."

When Dr. Tim Van Alstine took over as Athletics Director in 2001, he instilled a philosophy of providing the best both on and off the field for every student-athlete. 

"The costs associated with providing the very best NCAA Division I student-athlete experience are continuing to increase. The competition within our two conferences is extensive and to remain competitive we need resources. We recognize these are difficult economic times, yet the demand and expectations for athletic and academic success will always be on the front burner," said Van Alstine. "Increasing membership in the Leatherneck Club is one way to provide our coaches and student-athletes with the resources they need to remain competitive in the Summit League and in the Missouri Valley Football Conference."

Membership in the Leatherneck Club is open to WIU alumni and friends of the University - both individual and corporate. Beyond the personal pleasure of giving, each gift to the Leatherneck Club also may bring tax advantages. Fans may be able to deduct from their income tax return the amount of contribution that exceeds the value of courtesies extended to members.

To thank members for their support of the athletic program, the Leatherneck Club extends certain courtesies at each level of giving. Membership levels begin for as little as $1, though benefits increase as giving levels increase.

For more information on how to join the Leatherneck Club, fans can call Sean McDonough at (309) 298-2602 or online at www.GoLeathernecks.com/LeatherneckClub.