MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois University Athletics is announcing new membership benefit levels for the Leatherneck Club during the 2024-2025 academic year. Funds raised by the Leatherneck Club, which supports WIU's nearly 400 student-athletes across 17 varsity teams, help with student-athlete scholarships, facility enhancements, technology upgrades, sport-specific needs, student-athlete development, and academic resources.

"Over the past nine months, Leatherneck Athletics has seen an abundance of change: a new conference, a number of new coaches and staff, and new enhanced looks to some of our athletic facilities, just to name a few," said Director of Athletics, Paul A. Bubb. "As our student-athletes and teams continue to break records and compete for conference championships in the OVC, our annual fundraising efforts must increase to maintain competitive advantages for WIU."

The recently completed athletic strategic plan mantra of Many Teams, One Goal: Student Success has proven to be an accurate one in the department's first year in the Ohio Valley Conference. Since July 1, WIU Athletics has seen:

• Cross Country student-athlete Logan Lommel earn the conference's prestigious Scholar-Athlete Award for 2023-24, awarded to just six student-athletes across the OVC; 

• The volleyball team return to postseason play in a conference tournament for the first time in 10 years; 

• The highest departmental GPA on record at 3.39 for Fall 2023, including 45 student-athletes earning a perfect 4.0 for the semester; 

• Freshman women's basketball standout Raegan McCowan named to the OVC Newcomer and All-Conference First Teams and named OVC Freshman of the Year; 

• Senior men's basketball student-athlete Drew Cisse named to the OVC All-Conference First Team and named OVC Defensive Player of the Year; and

• Sophomore track and field student-athlete Aliyah Adams named Female Athlete of the Championship at the OVC Indoor Track & Field Championships in February.

In addition to success in competition and the classroom for Leatherneck student-athletes, WIU Athletics has also set records in fundraising during the 2023-2024 academic year: 

• The Purple and Gold Gala generated more than $82,000 in August 2023, marking the highest amount raised in the history of the event; 

• The Baseball Golf Outing raised over $21,000, which is the highest amount raised at any golf tournament in Leatherneck Athletics' history, and set a record for the amount of sponsorships generated; and

• Our #GivingTuesday campaign in November 2023 generated nearly $27,000, marking a 526% increase from the previous year.

"We are so grateful for the support of our alumni and Leatherneck Club members during what has turned out to be a historic year for WIU Athletics," said Assistant Athletic Director for Development, Dr. Tayler Onion. "In collaboration with the Leatherneck Club Advisory Board, our staff has been hard at work to create a strategic annual giving structure that will encourage increased support and engagement for WIU Athletics."

The Leatherneck Club is introducing new membership benefits and levels for the 2024-2025 academic year. Notable changes from the 2023-2024 levels are listed below: 

• A minimum membership increase at the Purple level from $50 to $100

• Access to Season Tickets for Men's and Women's Basketball and Football requires Leatherneck Club membership, starting at $100

• A preferred parking area in Q-Lot for football games will now be available for Leatherneck Club donors at the Varsity level

• Those at the All-American level will have access to the hospitality area in the North Endzone of Hanson Field during football games

• The introduction of the Leatherneck Legends, a new level of recognition for donors who pledge $25,000 ($5,000 per year) or more over five (5) years

"The forward progress we are currently experiencing must continue for Leatherneck Athletics to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with in the OVC," said Bubb. "Competitive advantages are what will give us an edge in recruiting elite athletic talent to WIU to compete for conference championships and NCAA appearances."

Existing Leatherneck Club members can expect to see renewal information in the mail starting the week of March 25. Those interested in Leatherneck Club membership for the 2024-2025 academic year can see more information by clicking here.