With a goal of getting the community involved with Utah State University Eastern Athletics, Scott Madsen told a gathering of community recently that “our programs need the community support.” He is in the process of organizing an athletic club for USU Eastern and recently brought the community, faculty, staff and administration together to explain why he sees this as important for the university and area.
Madsen, assistant athletic director, told those present that athletics gives hundreds of students the opportunity to continue their athletic career while pursuing a USU education.
Greg Dart, vice chancellor of student affairs and enrollment management said, “Our community has a rich history of supporting Eagle athletics in so many ways. We are excited to get any kind of support, from attendance at the games to helping fund scholarships. These students benefit so much from that support.
“It is an amazing time to be a part of Eagle athletics. From new athletic teams to new supports such as athletic training, strength and conditioning and academic help, the department is strong. We look forward to a bright future, and your support is such an integral part.”
Madsen explained that the school provides an on-site academic counselor, academic study lounge, fulltime athletic trainer, strength and conditioning coach and more to help each student-athlete succeed.
Eastern athletics is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association and hosts seven sanctioned NJCAA teams including men and women’s soccer, volleyball, men and women’s basketball, softball and baseball.
The rodeo team competes in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association with other colleges and universities throughout Utah.
A newly organized spirit squad features a nationally ranked dance team, cheer squad and drumline that are part of the athletic department.
“We have over 200 student-athletes at Eastern that can each benefit from support of the athletic club,” Madsen said.
The first year, Madsen hopes to get 100 members to sign on and hopefully it will grow each season. His long-term goal with the athletic club is members would help increase the number of scholarships available to student athletes, improve and maintain Eastern’s facilities for athletic events, help with the cost of traveling to away games and conference tournaments, and finally to keep the athletes equipped with the best uniforms and equipment on the market.
The membership levels are broken into six categories with the captain at $100, MVP $250, Conference Champion $500, All Region $1,000, National Champion $1,500 and All American $2,500.
For more information call Madsen at 435.650.0227 or via email at scott.madsen@usu.edu.