Murray State University Athletics
General Investor Information
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS & BENEFITS CHART
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
INVESTOR SUPPORT INITIATIVES
Scholarships
Student-athlete scholarships are one of the largest annual expenses for Murray State Athletics. Each year, the department supports more than 400 student-athletes by covering essential costs such as tuition, housing, books, and meals, helping them succeed both academically and athletically.
Unrestricted Giving
Unrestricted gifts provide the athletics department with the flexibility to use funds where they are needed most. These donations often support areas such as nutrition, equipment, travel, student-athlete development, sports medicine, and other operational expenses that enhance the overall student-athlete experience.
Facilities
First-class practice, competition, academic, and nutrition facilities are essential to the success of our student-athletes and play a key role in recruiting future Racers. These spaces serve as a home away from home, where student-athletes train, compete, recover, and refuel. Facility enhancements also improve the game day experience for Racer fans. Murray State Athletics is continually identifying opportunities to upgrade and build new spaces, with most projects funded through private support to remain fiscally responsible.
Restricted Funds
Donors can directly support a specific sport or administrative area through restricted funds. These gifts provide additional resources beyond a team’s annual operating budget and often support recruiting, team travel, specialized equipment, team-building, nutrition, and advanced technology that helps our programs compete at the highest level.
Gift-In-Kind
Individuals and businesses can contribute goods and services, which are recognized within the priority point system and Racer Club benefits program. Examples include food and beverages, lodging, transportation, advertising, athletic equipment, and courtesy cars.
Endowments
To make a lasting impact and support the University for generations, you can establish an endowment fund. Endowments are held and managed by the Murray State University Foundation and require a minimum gift of $25,000, payable over five years. These funds can be designated to support student-athlete scholarships, sports programs, and facilities across Racer Athletics.
We value your interest in this meaningful investment and are committed to working with you to ensure your endowed fund creates the philanthropic impact you envision for Murray State University and our students.
Planned Giving
Gift planning provides meaningful benefits for you and your family while supporting the long-term success of Murray State University. The Murray State University Foundation can help you establish gifts through life insurance, charitable trusts, annuities, and bequests. We also offer resources to guide you as you explore estate planning and charitable giving opportunities.
WAYS TO GIVE
Online
You can donate now to Racer Athletics by clicking HERE.
Mail
Send donations by mail to:
Murray State University Ticket Office
CFSB Center
1401 State Route 121 N
Murray, KY 42071
Payments
One-time payments can be made via check (payable to Murray State Athletics) or credit card. You may also make your gift in monthly payments with a checking account or credit card account bank draft.
Matching Gifts
Make your gift go even further through a matching gift program. Many companies match charitable contributions, and some will even match gifts made by retirees and spouses of employees. At Murray State University, matching gifts also count toward donor recognition memberships.
We encourage you to contact your employer’s human resources department to learn more about their matching gift program. Simply request a matching gift form and submit it, completed and signed, along with your donation. Your impact could be doubled or even tripled.
Contact
Taylor Mudd, Assistant AD - Development
Phone: (270) 809-3517
Email: tmudd3@murraystate.edu
MSU Ticket Office
(270) 809-3000
Email: msu.tickets@murraystate.edu
You can also visit us in person at the Ticket Office or meet with Taylor Mudd. The ticket office is located at Gate B of the CFSB Center.
COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS
Are you a “Representative of Murray State University’s Athletics Interests”?
As a member of the Racer Club, you are considered a “representative of Murray State University athletics interests,” more commonly known as a “booster.” Once your booster status is established, it remains in place permanently. Murray State Athletics staff and coaches are committed to upholding the standards and rules set by the NCAA and the Missouri Valley Conference. It is important that all boosters work with the Athletics Compliance Office to ensure the eligibility of both current and prospective student-athletes is protected.
What are the general rules surrounding recruiting and boosters?
Boosters should not be involved in recruiting prospective student-athletes. Regardless of whether they participate in high school athletics, a prospective student-athlete is:
- The seventh grade for men’s basketball and softball
- The eighth grade for women’s basketball
- The ninth grade for all other sports
Boosters should not contact prospects or attempt to influence their decision to attend Murray State, including any public or private communication through social media.
What is an “extra benefit” and why is it important?
An extra benefit is anything provided to a student-athlete, or their family and friends, by a staff member or booster that is not available to the general student body or public. Providing extra benefits can jeopardize a student-athlete’s eligibility.
Examples of extra benefits include:
- Providing cash or loans in any amount, or co-signing a loan
- Giving gifts of any kind, including birthday, holiday, or “get well” gifts
- Offering free or reduced-cost housing, rent, or services such as meals, haircuts, or automotive repairs
- Providing tickets to athletic or community events, even if the tickets were received for free
- Employing relatives or friends of a prospective student-athlete as an inducement to attend Murray State
Examples of permissible activities (with proper approval):
- Inviting current student-athletes or teams to your home for an occasional meal, with prior approval from the Athletics Compliance Office and the sport’s head coach
Employing a student-athlete, provided all arrangements are approved through the Athletics Compliance Office
For additional questions, please contact the Athletics Compliance Office.
Matt Kelly, Executive Senior Associate AD
Phone: (270) 809-4424
Email: mkelly@murraystate.edu
