Dear Purple Aces,
 
As our UE student-athletes begin a new year, I wanted to provide our supporters with an update on the ever-changing landscape in NCAA Division I Athletics. Our UE Athletics Vision Statement reads that "we will face the future unafraid while positively impacting our student-athletes, our university, our local community, and our Purple Aces around the world." The University of Evansville Purple Aces have a history of facing the future unafraid. We have thrived as the underdog, and we will continue to do so. 
 
In year one as the Director of Athletics, we strove to establish a culture and the foundation for growth for our entire department. We did so by hiring the right staff and coaches, creating an athletics strategic plan, and by building genuine relationships. In year two, the goal was to show that UE Athletics is in growth mode. We did so by successfully implementing the Pathway to Excellence athletics strategic plan, enhancing facilities, increasing revenue, and by our student-athletes excelling in the classroom (3.466 GPA.) We also were successful outside of the classroom in competition (MVC Women's Golf Individual Champion, MVC Volleyball Player of the Year, three All-Americans, Men's Basketball more than tripling wins total and returning to postseason, and the Baseball program winning the MVC Tournament and NCAA Greenville Regional). In year three (2024-2025), the goal is continued growth to set us up for sustainable success for the foreseeable future. WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY AND PURPLE ACES EVERYWHERE, WE WILL CONTINUE TO AWAKEN THE SLEEPING GIANT, THE PURPLE ACES!
 
The landscape of college athletics is continuing to evolve, but our focus on UE student-athletes has not. There are a few critical ways in which you can support our student-athletes.
 
Purple Aces Club
If your goal as a supporter is to help the Athletics Department with their greatest need, please join the Purple Aces Club (PAC) and click on the Purple Aces Fund. This allows leadership to designate dollars to the highest priorities. You can also support the sport of your choice if that is your preference. All UE sports have designated funds where people can contribute. These sports programs rely heavily on these dollars to provide the best experience possible for our student-athletes. For more information on PAC and sport specific contributions, you can Click Here to Join or call Ted McCoart, Athletics Annual Giving Officer at 812-488-2512. 
 
Name, Image, and Likeness Opportunities
The area that is most discussed in the new era of college athletics is Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities for student-athletes. Recently, a new NIL Collective, Purple Reign, was formed by several committed supporters of UE Athletics. UE Athletics Hall of Famer, Scott Shreffler is the spokesperson for the Purple Reign Collective. Due to NCAA rules, NIL Collectives must be owned and operated by a third-party. Having said that, please know that UE Athletics works very closely with the Purple Reign Board, and we are fully behind their efforts. The Purple Reign Collective will be critical in our efforts to recruit and retain student-athletes from year to year. To learn more, please visit PurpleReignNIL.com or contact Scott Shreffler at 812-459-2997.
 
Athletics Facilities/Major Gifts
UE Athletics is committed to investing in Athletics Facilities and infrastructure in order to position the University Athletics Facilities portfolio to be among the best in the Missouri Valley Conference. Please contact Kelly Gates (Athletics Major Gifts Officer) for more information at 812-488-2374.
 
Thank you to all our supporters for your commitment to our student-athletes, the UE Athletics Department, and our University. We will continue to be good stewards of your investment into our programs.
 
Go Aces!
 
Dr. Ziggy Siegfried
Director of Athletics