SEASIDE, Calif. — Cal State Monterey Bay Athletics announces the official launch of the Otter Athletics Fund, its annual fundraising program to support the academic and athletic success of current and future CSUMB student-athletes. All gifts to the fund directly impact current student-athletes through scholarships and sport-specific program enhancements such as travel, equipment, training and technology.

The department aims to be a premier athletics program in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, consistently competing for conference championships and qualifying for NCAA Division II postseason competition.

"Our goal is to build the Otter Athletics Fund into a thriving annual fund built on the support of our extended athletics family of alumni, parents, local and campus community members and business partners. Now is the time to take the next big step to become a premier program in the CCAA and an NCAA DII leader in our pursuit of student-athlete success," says Director of Athletics Kirby Garry.

"We need to close the resource gap that exists between us and our CCAA peers and achieve a level of sustained, competitive success that will make our university and surrounding communities proud. There is no question that raising our level of expectations will require all of us to increase our commitment to Otter Athletics," says Garry.

The Otter Athletics Fund features four different levels of giving, including one specifically designed for student-athlete alumni. Each level comes with different benefits including invitations to athletics special events, attendance at team practices and access to the official Otter Athletics adidas Team Store.

"As we began to think about the membership levels, it was really important that we had a level that was specific to our alumni," says Moe Melhart, CSUMB's volleyball head coach and director of athletics development. "In October of 2020 we had our first Alumni Challenge and our alumni really showed up for our current student-athletes. Having more than 200 alums give back to the department said a lot about the culture of giving back that we are trying to create here, and we wanted to be sure and honor that with a specific level with alumni-only incentives."

C.J. Vaifanua-Pace, head women's basketball coach, believes every member of the athletics family plays a critical role in helping student-athletes find success.

"I have the utmost gratitude for our current contributors as they continue to help provide opportunities, role model what it means to give back to your community and bring unwavering support to the visions of Otter Athletics and specifically women's basketball," she says.

"As I continue to rebuild the women's basketball program here at CSUMB, I ask my student-athletes to 'buy-in' to the program and culture every year. To see community members leading by example in doing that means a lot to me. Their unwavering support, belief and investment into the program fuels us to want to be better and continue to grow.

Some community members help fund campus facility upgrades to give student-athletes a place to call home and scholarships that support their pursuit of degrees. Other contributors never miss a road trip and provide snacks and goodies.

Vaifanua-Pace calls it a "tough reality" and challenge that NCAA DII programs such as CSUMB are not always fully funded. The program may lose a promising recruit or have to limit student-athletes' experiences because of financial restraints.

On the flipside, she notes that being a smaller program, "gives us the chance to connect more with our community and lean on relationships and local supporters to help our student-athletes achieve their academic and athletic goals at CSUMB. Regardless of the amount of contribution a community member gives, I can tell you it makes a difference and makes an impact," says Vaifanua-Pace.

Membership in the Otter Athletics Fund is now available. To join, please visit the Otter Athletics Fund website.