The athletic foundation, and the men and women on its board of directors were created and approved by the Indiana State University Foundation Board of Directors in June 2010. The Sycamore Athletic Foundation’s mission is to support ISU’s 14 men’s and women’s varsity sports through private philanthropy.
Paul Thrift named chair of Sycamore Athletic Foundation at ISU
Paul Thrift of Terre Haute has been named chair of the Sycamore Athletic Foundation Board of Directors.
Thrift, a 1991 graduate of Indiana State, has been an active member of the board and supporter of ISU athletics. He is president of Thompson Thrift, a full-service real estate development, architecture and construction company.
"I am very pleased to be supporting ISU in this role. I am excited about the formation of the Sycamore Athletic Foundation over the past year and the potential it holds to help ISU reach new heights in its athletic programs,” Thrift said. “ISU Athletics has consistently had to compete from the bottom of the Missouri Valley Conference in terms of annual fundraising. The athletic foundation is determined to put the financial resources provided to our athletic programs on par with our peer universities.”
Thrift said the current level of support from the university and the foundation, coupled with the quality of ISU coaches, staff and players has never been more promising.
“This is an exciting time to be a Sycamore," he said.
The Sycamore Athletic Foundation is the athletic philanthropic support division of the ISU Foundation. Since its inception in 2010, the athletic foundation board has worked to develop the framework to obtain long-term private support. Immediate priorities are creating a substantial student athlete scholarship fund, improving facilities and significantly increasing annual philanthropic support.
“We believe that Paul will lead the SAF Board to making great strides toward the organization’s priorities. His enthusiasm for our athletic programs and ties to the Wabash Valley will help us reach our goals,” Nate Green, SAF executive director, said.
Thrift follows Mike Blackwell, a 1971 ISU graduate, as chair of the Sycamore Athletic Foundation board.
“Mike has helped us set up the framework necessary for the Sycamore Athletic Foundation,” Green said. “I had the privilege to serve alongside Mike on the charter SAF board and I was impressed with his commitment to ensuring the success of Sycamore Athletics.”
Blackwell served as chair during the board’s charter year and was instrumental in the organization and development of the athletics foundation.