A Massive Surge in Support from Sun Devil Nation
On November 25, 2022, the future of Sun Devil Football and Sun Devil Athletics as a whole was deemed a touchy topic. A head coaching vacancy to fill and enough swirling rumors to last a decade. However, an announcement just days later would alter that trajectory drastically and would simultaneously create a lasting rallying cry: ACTIVATE THE VALLEY.
When Coach Kenny Dillingham was announced as the newest head coach of Sun Devil Football, it served as an exciting story about a young phenom coordinator coming home to lead his alma mater. But for Dillingham, he made it clear that this would be far more than just a feel-good story.
He called on the entire valley to support the Maroon & Gold and challenged the community to buy tickets, donate and support the team like never before, promising that he'd do his part but that he needed them to do theirs. The results have been astounding.
The Sun Devil Club has seen a meteoric rise in support since Coach Dillingham coined the phrase: Activate the Valley. On December 1, 2022, just days after the announcement, the Sun Devil Club had documented philanthropic donations from 2,980 unique individuals in support of our 600+ student-athletes since July 1, 2022. By the end of the month that number had jumped to 5,213 and as of January 19, 2023, that number is just shy of 7,000.
This jump of astronomical proportions has shown the power of Sun Devil Nation and the Sun Devil Community as a whole. With excitement and optimism at an all-time-high, we are able to provide a top tier experience for our student-athletes due to the overwhelming generosity and support that has resulted.
The cycle that results from this? It will create a sustainably successful Athletic Department that can provide all the necessary support and much more to each of its programs, making Arizona State University a premiere location for elite high school talent to land at.
Thank you for playing your part in #ActivatingtheValley! We are so excited for what 2023 and beyond will hold for the Sun Devils and can't wait to go on that journey with you. If you haven't yet had the chance to play your role in supporting Sun Devil Athletics and its 600+ student-athletes across 26 programs, please use the link below and give wherever your passion may be. Know that any gift makes an impact, as we race for 10,500 donors by June 30, we hope we can count on you!