Dear Purple Eagles,

As higher education and intercollegiate athletics face inflection points, there is security in the core – the bedrock – of a purpose that has inspired Niagara University graduates and supporters for more than 150 years. An unwavering commitment to development and service, believing in a purpose that lifts not only individuals but entire communities.

 

** Show your support for Purple Eagle Athletics, use the QR code to make your gift! To learn more about how Niagara Athletics is approaching the modern era of Division I intercollegiate athletics, please contact Associate Vice President for Athletics, Simon Gray, at 716-286-8600 or sgray@niagara.edu. To learn more about how you can directly impact Niagara's efforts, please contact Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Paul Zablocki, at 716-286-8590 or pzablocki@niagara.edu.

Amidst all this change – at its heart – Niagara will stay the same. However, while the mission doesn't change, the pathways of execution do. Niagara Athletics has committed to adapting to the modern era of intercollegiate athletics by aligning itself with the progressive and competitive sector of Division I, those that have embraced the terms of the House settlement and will offer additional resources to student-athletes. This decision, while multi-faceted, was critical in maintaining the flexibility and ability to provide an athletics experience that positions programs for championships. Now, more than ever, we need our athletics families, our former student-athletes, and the Niagara community to support us in fulfilling our commitment to Division I Athletics.

The student-athlete experience at Niagara remains centered on the pillars of academic excellence, servant leadership, and athletics competition. The ability to develop and nurture high-performing individuals and assist in their life and career development is our purpose. Prolific and unrivaled success in recent years has elevated Niagara Athletics amongst its peers and helped elevate the brand of Niagara University.

In the last couple years, historic metrics of a 97 percent Graduation Success Rate, an 86 percent student-athlete retention rate, a record number of conference championships, post-season appearances, an all-time best in the Commissioner's Cup, unlimited impact on the campus and surrounding community through service and relationships; all combine to define Niagara's educational and mission-based approach.

While it is important to note how recent investment in Athletics has resulted in success, the landscape continues to shift and aligning a vision with a desired outcome becomes a critical game plan. Additional investment is necessary to:

• Recruit and retain scholar-athletes that embrace and promote the mission of Niagara University Athletics. The decision to Opt In to the House settlement terms enables Niagara to compensate student athletes for their personal brand and is a variable that cannot be understated in this competitive recruiting environment. We need supporters to assist in these efforts.
• Sustain continuity in leadership. Many of the recent accomplishments can be attributed to execution of a unified vision that administrators and coaches have worked together to establish.
• Provide a Division I experience with respect to travel, scheduling, nutrition, and student-centric training and programming. Operational costs continue to escalate. The athletics department is adapting to ensure that operational budgets are aligned with mission-based priorities.
• Enhance aging facilities. From infrastructure to renovations, athletics facility projects are focused on micro-capital improvements to the competitive experience and creating new revenue generation opportunities.

We are working on existing and new forms of revenue generation to remain competitive in this dynamic environment. To fully succeed, we need our community to contribute.

From the legends of the 50s to the pioneering athletes of the 70s and continuing on through the historic achievements of the present, Athletics has long been a core artery of Niagara University. Although the ground rules and requirements have evolved as the decades progressed, the focus of developing student-athletes academically, athletically, and as servant leaders in the Catholic and Vincentian mission has not.

This inflection point is an opportunity to unite all that love Niagara University and Purple Eagle Athletics. In order to maintain our standard of excellence, we need you now. We are committed to taking the necessary steps to continue our mission in this new age, but we will not succeed without additional resources to attack our priorities. Our coaches and scholar-athletes are worthy of your investment
because they are committed to the mission that inspires you.

For the glory of Niagara, we will give our all,

Simon Gray
Associate Vice President for Athletics