In an effort to close the funding gap, SBCC Athletics is putting substantial effort into utilizing the social media tool ‘Friends Asking Friends’ as an important way to keep their athletic programming vibrant in the face of austerity.

SBCC athletes fund-raising efforts encourages supporters, students, faculty or anyone else to reach out to their friends to help raise money at a time when state funding for education and related programs, such as sports programs, has taken an unprecedented hit. This newly implemented online fundraising tool utilizes social media and e-mail to allow participants to mobilize their entire social network to raise funds for SBCC Athletics. A free, easy and effective tool, supporters can share their story on personal and team web pages, email donation requests, and raise funds through popular social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

SBCC Athletics Director Ryan Byrne has high praise for the student-athletes in their fundraising efforts, enthusiasm and creativity to help support their sports program. “Our student-athletes are showing the same level of motivation and ‘can do’ attitude that they show on the field and on the court,” says Byrne. “‘Friends Asking Friends’ is a really simple way to show your support for our teams and students. Anyone can use it and it only takes 5-minutes to set up.”

Those who wish to join ‘Friends Asking Friends’ can visit the Foundation for Santa Barbara City College’s website click here, where new members will be guided with easy steps to join the campaign with a donation.

“As a SBCC student-athlete, I am hoping to gain some additional opportunities and leadership experience. The expenses for a quality athletics program are considerable but also a necessity for our development and chances to move on. Throughout the Vaquero Challenge my personal fundraising goal is to raise $300 for my program,” wrote freshman basketball player Jeffrey Davis, in his ‘Friends Asking Friends’ letter. “Please support my program as I work to create additional opportunities for myself and my teammates through the 2012-13 Vaquero Challenge! Your donation will have a big impact in providing me with the necessary tools to have a successful career at SBCC.”

Donations will help to cover expenses for tutoring for the Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Zone, drivers on away games, replacement of athletic equipment, end-of-year banquet and awards, meal money for away games, digital video equipment used for teaching and sharing film with recruiters.

Santa Barbara City College is a Top 10 Community College in the U.S. and the only California College that can make that claim. At SBCC, Athletics is viewed as a student success program and includes 400 student-athletes. Student-athletes work through a process with support staff that includes orientation, assessment, long term educational planning and are held to high academic standards in order to compete. In order to be eligible to play college sports, students must make sufficient progress toward their degrees, complete at least 24 academic units each year, and maintain at least a C grade point average. SBCC Athletic counselors, trainers, advisors, tutors, staff and administration all work hard to put student athlete’s academic progress and opportunities first.

Student-athletes are twice as likely to complete a degree and twice as likely to be transfer-ready after 2 years as compared to non-athlete students. More than 1/3 of all student-athletes at SBCC are on the honor roll with over a 3.00 GPA. Furthermore, over 70 percent of all sophomore student-athletes transfer to four-year colleges.

To find out more about ‘Friends Asking Friends’ and to support Student Athletes call the SBCC Athletics Department at 805-965-0581 ext. 2276 or visit click here. Go Vaqueros!

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