The move from the Big 12 to the Southeastern Conference has raised the profile of Texas A&M athletics, and having national football success raised the school’s revenue from donations.
Texas A&M raised a record $740 million the year it joined the SEC
Amateurism.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
From Sept. 1, 2012, essentially the start date for Aggie football in the SEC, to Aug. 31, 2013, the school raised $700 million, over $300 million more than the previous record for a 12-month period, according to a school release.
“The voluntary commitment of time, talent and treasure by Aggies begins as students and continues throughout their lives,” Chancellor John Sharp said. “We are the very fortunate benefactors of their loyalty and respect for this fine institution and all that it represents. That is why A&M has far outpaced every university in the state and most in the nation.”
The total amount is a compilation of various types of donations, including gifts directly to the university, private grants made to the Division of Research and contributions to the university’s private partners: The Texas A&M Foundation, the Association of Former Students, the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation and the 12th Man Foundation.
Texas A&M’s success in Year 1 as a member of the SEC has resulted in a “significant number of capital gifts,” which will be used for the renovation of Kyle Field. The Aggies’ home football stadium is set to receive a serious makeover, and when all is said and done, it will be the largest stadium in the state of Texas and the SEC. The project is expected to cost $450 million, and in addition to upgrading amenities will increase seating capacity from 82,589 to 102,500.
Meanwhile, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel has been criticized for his off-field lifestyle, and allegations have been levied that he received $10,000 in exchange for autographing memorabilia (you be the judge of whether that alleged $10,000 made up for the haul the Aggies brought the university). Although the NCAA found no evidence Manziel was compensated, he was suspended for the first half of Texas A&M's 2013 season opener against Rice.
Once Manziel finally made it on the field, he made it clear that the off-field rumors and innuendo don’t really concern him:
Based on the recent financial report, perhaps school president R. Bowen Loftin should be making the same gesture.
(HT: Deadspin)
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