Dear Teal Nation,

Thank you for the warm welcome my family and I have received since arriving in Horry County. Your passion and support have made this transition truly special, and we are proud to be part of this incredible community.

We are entering a transformative time in college athletics. The recently approved House v. NCAA settlement, set to take effect in summer 2025, will significantly change how we operate. Expected changes include new roster limits, expanded scholarship opportunities, and direct revenue sharing with student-athletes. We are grateful to have the backing of President Benson, University leadership, our Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff, which will be helpful as we transition to a new day of college athletics. 

Despite this shift, our focus remains clear:

• Prioritizing student-athlete well-being
• Excelling academically
• Competing at a championship level
• Fostering community and University engagement

With the collective strength of Teal Nation, Coastal Carolina Athletics will thrive in this new era.
 
Navigating Change & Opportunity

The House v. NCAA settlement, set to take effect in summer 2025, introduces significant changes:

• Roster Limits & Scholarships: Certain Coastal Carolina sports will experience required roster reductions, while simultaneously allowing us to expand scholarship opportunities and further invest in specific sport programs. We will have the flexibility to provide as many scholarships as roster spots, enabling greater opportunities for student-athletes. These efforts will be funded through increased revenues in ticketing, sponsorship, parking, concessions, and private donor support.
• Revenue Sharing: Institutions will be permitted to share revenue directly with student-athletes. Coastal Carolina Athletics is prioritizing this initiative through reprioritized spending and new revenue streams from events, concerts, and other opportunities. We are proud to now offer priority points for gifts directed toward NIL and revenue-sharing initiatives.
• NCAA Back Damages: The settlement reflects compensation for athletes who competed between 2016 and 2024. Institutions will contribute to a $2.8 billion fund over the next 10 years, requiring Coastal Carolina to reallocate resources to prepare. However, thanks to the leadership of the Sun Belt Conference, the financial impact of this settlement on our budget will be significantly reduced.

Looking Ahead

Our upcoming strategic plan will outline our commitment to building championship-level programs, enhancing the student-athlete experience, and generating increased revenues and new opportunities for community engagement and growth. I look forward to sharing updates on our progress and priorities as we move forward.
 
Celebrating Our Achievements

Over the last four months, we've achieved remarkable milestones that set the stage for an even brighter future:

• Philanthropic Giving Milestones: We have received several transformational gifts, including matching gifts which will soon be announced and will shape some of our programs for years to come. With 68% of our annual philanthropic goal achieved, we are on track for a record-breaking year.
• Ticket Sales Milestones: With football just wrapping up and basketball, baseball, and softball single-game ticket sales just beginning, we project to finish the year at an all-time high for single-game ticket revenue.
• Record-Breaking Attendance:
  • Football hosted five of the top-10 crowds in Brooks Stadium history, including the 1st, 4th, and 5th largest of all-time.
  • Men's basketball experienced its best attended home opener since 2016, with the total attendance from the first two games the highest since the 2014-15 season.
  • Women's basketball's home opener attendance figure was the largest since 2012, and the first two game attendance total was the highest in program history.
• Enhanced Game Day Experiences: With a new entrance, new traditions, fireworks, and strong student engagement with over 60% of the student population attending the first 5 home football games—our fan experience has reached new heights.
• Improved Concessions: Revamped offerings have increased service speed, boosting the number of transactions by 38%.
• Corporate Sponsorship Growth: Sponsorship revenue is up 20.4% year-over-year, and with seven months remaining, we are on pace to achieve an all-time sponsorship high.
• Building a Stronger Brand: Our new social media and branding department has driven a 536% increase in audience growth and a 254% increase in engagements compared to this time last year. These efforts will expand further with the addition of an Athletics Chief Communications Officer and creative media staff to help us tell our story more effectively.

 Join Us in Building the Future

You can make a difference and help propel Coastal Carolina Athletics to new heights by:

• Purchasing Tickets: Secure your season and single game tickets here.
• Joining the Chanticleer Athletic Foundation (CAF): Support through Annual Fund memberships, Junior Chants memberships, or philanthropic giving opportunities. Join today at www.CoastalCAF.com.
• Exploring Sponsorship Opportunities: Businesses can partner directly with Athletics or explore student-athlete opportunities through our in-house NIL partner Altius Sports.
• Buying Gear: Show your Chanticleer pride at Teal Nation Stores.

 
This is an exciting time for Coastal Carolina Athletics, and together, we will rise to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead. Thank you for your unwavering support. I look forward to sharing this journey with you and celebrating our continued success.

Chants Up!