By Bryan B. Blair, Vice President and Director of Athletics
October 23, 2024
 

Team Toledo, 

In our strategic plan, "Rise Together", we identified "Grow Resources" as one of the key objectives to help us reach our goal of becoming the Gold Standard in college athletics. In these fast-changing times in college athletics, the need for revenue enhancement has never been greater. 

So, earlier this month, we were thrilled to announce an incredible $4 million gift commitment from Marcia and Roy Armes that will have a profound impact on the lives of our student-athletes. Marcia and Roy have been longtime supporters of the University, and their latest gift will support the major initiatives within the University and Athletics Facilities Master Plans. It is the second-largest cash gift in Toledo Athletics' history.

Frankly, it is a game-changer for our program.   

The Armes' gift is just one example of the #TeamToledo spirit and excitement that is helping to elevate Toledo Athletics. As Interim President Matt Schroeder shared in his State of the University address, "We are all Team Toledo. We need to take advantage of this mindset to accomplish the impossible."  

As we build on this momentum, we invite you to join us in our journey to support our student-athletes' quest for excellence in athletics, academics and personal growth by joining our 1923 Society, increasing your Rocket Fund contribution, buying season tickets, or simply by being a great fan and cheering on your Rockets. 

UPDATE: HOUSE VS. NCAA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

On a related note, we are well aware of the U.S. District Court's recent preliminary approval of the proposed settlement in the House v. NCAA class-action lawsuit. Final approval – if given – will not come until late spring 2025. If approved, the settlement represents one of the most impactful changes to college athletics in decades and will have a significant impact on how we manage the resources that fund our program moving forward. 

Under the proposed settlement, institutions will be allowed to make annual financial disbursements directly to student-athletes of up to $22 million, with the number adjusted annually based on an agreed-upon formula. The settlement also provides back damages to former student-athletes and creates roster limits instead of scholarship limits for all sports.  

Under the settlement terms, institutions could begin to make direct disbursements to student-athletes beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. In response to this news, some athletic departments across the country have indicated that they intend to reduce scholarships, support services, and program operations for numerous sports to account for the significant new expense. At Toledo, we are still working through our plans, but I do anticipate a portion of our annual budget will go directly to some of our student-athletes, in addition to our current scholarship allotments. The disbursements will most likely go to our revenue-generating sports to provide for the greatest chance for success in this new landscape. 

I truly believe Toledo is better suited for these changes than many of our peers and we will continue to adapt and thrive in this new environment. Although this will be a monumental shift, our mission remains the same: to transform lives while elevating the university and community through the power of sports. In fact, our strategic plan, Rise Together, has never been more applicable. 

Frankly, that means generating more revenue to fund this new expense and to empower our mission, while being strategic stewards of the resources and assets within Toledo Athletics. I am confident that working together as #TeamToledo, we will continue to support an athletics program that makes our University, our alumni, and our community proud! 

What Others Are Saying:

• ESPN
• CBS Sports

HOMECOMING 2024!  YOU ROCKED IT, TOLEDO!

From the week-long celebration of our great University, to the parade through Old Orchard, to the big victory over Miami, Homecoming 2024 was an incredible moment for #TeamToledo! 

Hats off to Head Coach Jason Candle's squad for a resounding victory over the RedHawks, who came in as defending MAC Champions and preseason favorites to repeat in 2024. Kudos to all 25,027 of you who packed the Glass Bowl, our largest Homecoming crowd in eight years. 

THE BATTLE OF I-75/STRIPE THE STADIUM

Our most anticipated home football game of the season is almost here! We are looking for another great home crowd when "That Team Down South" comes to the Glass Bowl in the Battle of I-75 on Saturday, Oct. 26!  

Don't forget to wear Midnight Blue or Gold (depending on your seat location) as we "Stripe the Stadium" for this rivalry game. Come early and enjoy tailgating and all the pre-game fun and then make sure to be in your seats for the 3:30 kickoff! We have a few special surprises you won't want to miss! 

Ticket and Stripe The Stadium information can be found here:  TICKETS and STRIPE THE STADIUM

 

Midnight Blue Sections: Launch Pad Student Section 11-20 West Side: 3, 4, 7, 8 East Side: 21, 24, 25, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36	Gold Sections: West Side: 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10 East Side: 22, 23, 26, 27, 33, 34, 37, 38
SHOP MIDNIGHT BLUE GEAR	SHOP GOLD GEAR

VARSITY T HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

We are very excited to be inducting the 2024 Varsity T Hall of Fame class this Friday, Oct. 25 at the Pinnacle in Maumee. The seven former student-athletes in the class are Joe Conroy, football (1974-78), Arnika Edwards Bess, women's track & field (1995-98), Natalia Gaitan, women's soccer (2009-12), Kylie Gamelier, women's swimming & diving (2005-09), Yolanda Richardson Swain, women's basketball (2009-13), the late Glyn Smith, football/men's track & field (1970-72) and Ron Warga, baseball (1996-99). Induction into the hall of fame is the highest honor a former Rocket can achieve, so we invite you to join us in honoring the 2024 class when we introduce them at halftime of the Bowling Green game this Saturday. 

We will also present the Distinguished Service Award from the Varsity T Club to former Deputy Athletic Director Dave Nottke, who retired in 2022 after working for 33 years in the Athletic Department. 

We hope you can join us for this great event! Tickets for the induction dinner can be purchased by calling the Athletic Development Office at 419-530-5087. 

BASKETBALL SEASON IS HERE!!

Basketball season is here and there is plenty to be excited about for Rocket fans. Savage Arena will be rocking this year as both our men's and women's teams return as multi-year defending MAC champions and once again resume the chase for March Madness! 

Tod Kowalczyk's men's team is reloaded and ready to compete for an unprecedented fifth straight MAC Championship! On the women's side, first-year Head Coach Ginny Boggess returns three starters for a squad that is gunning for its fourth-straight league crown! 

The women open the home season on Monday, Nov. 4 vs. Marshall, while the men's home opener is Wednesday, Nov. 13 vs. Wright State. Purchase your season tickets now and help us pack Savage and create the toughest home-court advantage in the Mid-American Conference! 

We also look forward to celebrating our teams at three special preseason events, beginning with the Women's Basketball Tip-Off Dinner this Wednesday, followed by Men's Basketball Rocket Roundball Social on Tuesday, Oct. 29 and Tricks, Treats and Dunks on Wednesday, Oct. 30. 

Men's & Women's Basketball season ticket information can be found here: WBB Tickets  & MBB Tickets

OLYMPIC SPORTS UPDATE:  OUR ROCKETS ARE IN THE HUNT FOR MORE MAC TITLES!

We are in the heart of the fall sports season, and our Rockets are right in the thick of the battle for MAC Championship titles! 

Women's and Men's Cross Country are in great shape as they prepare for the MAC Championship Meet in Muncie on Saturday, Nov. 2. Head Coach Andrea Grove-McDonough's women's squad is running for its fourth consecutive MAC title, something never before achieved in school history. For reference, the women are currently ranked above Big Ten teams Michigan, Ohio State, and Indiana. Our men's team, led by Associate Head Coach Tito Medrano, is looking to break through for its first-ever conference crown after three straight runner-up finishes! 

Women's Volleyball is having a terrific season, with a 13-8 overall record (6-3 MAC), putting the Rockets one game out of first place in the league. Head Coach Jason Oliver's Rockets have won four of their last five matches as they fight to qualify for the MAC Tournament for the fourth-straight season and battle for the No. 1 seed and an opportunity to serve as the tournament host. Special congratulations to senior Taylor Alt, who became the all-time kills leader in MAC history with a 20-kill performance in Toledo's 3-1 victory over Akron on Oct. 17! 

Second-year Head Coach Mark Batman's Women's Soccer team is coming on strong, with a 3-1-2 record in its last six matches to move into fourth place in the MAC standings. The top six schools qualify for the MAC Tournament, which begins with home-site matches on Sunday, Nov. 3. 

We're also excited about the start of the Women's Swimming & Diving season under first-year Head Coach Jacy Dyer. Jacy is a former Rocket who competed on MAC championship teams and is a decorated member of the Varsity T Hall of Fame who is committed to bringing the program back to the top of the league. 

I invite you to come out and cheer on all our Rockets as they represent our University with class and distinction!  

Make no bones about it, college athletics, our department and our university are undergoing significant changes. With change comes opportunity, and I would argue that our athletics department has never been stronger.  

Our strategic plan outlined four core values (R.I.S.E.) for Toledo Athletics: Resiliency, Integrity, Servanthood, and Excellence. We defined Resiliency as having "a steadfast determination to conquer obstacles, viewing change as an opportunity for growth, while fostering collective strength amidst adversity." Those words look prophetic in hindsight and serve as a great reminder for the months and years ahead. Frankly, we are built for this and I look forward to experiencing even more success, together. 

This Community. This University. This Athletics Department. 
Together, we will accomplish the "impossible." 

Go Rockets!