Lion Athletics Scholarship Fund

Investing in Future Lions

A gift to the Lion Athletics Scholarship Fund is an investment in the lives of our student-athletes that will pay dividends in their own lives and in our communities. We thank you for your interest in financially supporting your Lions, and choosing to invest in our student-athletes!

Community Success and Student-Athlete Leadership

NBA All-Star Game

For the third time in two years, the Lion Student-Athlete Advisory Council granted a life changing wish and sent a family to the NBA All-Star Game.

Public Health Graduate Houston, TX

Shelley Chapron

LSC Nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year

Responsible Lions

The student-athlete led Responsible Lions group led numerous initiatives supporting holistic wellness.

Sports Management Graduate Pflugerville, TX

Alex Shillow

Campbell Trophy Semifinalist – LSC Fred Jacoby Academic Athlete of the Year

#MakeItImportant

The Lions won third place in the 2020 Division II Award of Excellence for the student-athlete led #MakeItImportant Initiative.

The Impact of Your Support

Being a part of this amazing program has helped me so much in developing and growing individually away from home. Everyone took me in and I love the family environment. The support is not just in my volleyball career, but in academics too. I've been developing the skills I need to be successful in life. I feel so blessed and grateful to be part of this university.
Celeste Vela
Industrial Engineering Major
The community and supporters in Commerce are so welcoming. I chose to come here because of the culture and ability our team has to win. Thanks to the support and generosity of this university and our LCF donors, I have the opportunity to win an NCAA Championship, pursue my dream of competing in the Olympic Games, and earn a college degree.
Josh Boateng
Performance and Health Major
In all my years of being a Lion, I have greatly appreciated the love and support of our fans and donors! Their belief in our program motivates me to work hard every day in hopes of soon winning a national championship. I am also grateful for the opportunity to pursue a higher education and play the game I love.
Chania Wright
D and R white letter
I was brought up in a family who had an eager desire to win. I fell in love with the university, and appreciate the support from previous champions, Lion fans, and our LCF Donors. Everyone here has the desire for student-athletes to win on the field, in the classroom, and in life. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Dominique Ramsey
Engineering & Mathematics Major

Your Gift in Action

Increased Academic Resources

The Thrower Center is the premier student-athlete success center in Division II and continually provides Best In Class service in academics and student life.

Facility Improvements

Over the past four years, every athletic program has received a brand new locker room or locker room enhancement through the support of our donors.

Best In Class Travel

Since 2015, over 50 Lion Athletics teams have qualified for NCAA postseason, and LCF support has assisted in making sure they travel in comfort and have plenty of time to arrive at road contests to prepare.

Expanded Sports Medicine Facilities

Lion Sports Medicine has had its capabilities to serve multiple teams at once expanded in the Field House, Memorial Stadium and west campus facilities.

ETAMU track team by a bus.

Impact of Your Gift

  • $5/MONTH ($60 annually): Varsity L Club Membership Young Alumni Only
  • $10/MONTH ($120 annually): Average cost of uniform or a student-athlete travel trip
  • $50/MONTH ($600 annually): Average cost for books per semester
  • $200/MONTH ($2,400 annually): Sports Performance / strength and conditioning equipment
  • $416.66/MONTH ($5,000 annually): F.A.S.T.E.R. Program Food service and nutrition
  • $10,000: Average cost of tuition and fees per year (fall, spring and summer)

Ways to Give

You can make a donation in the following ways:

Make an easy secure donation online.

Checks can be mailed to:

Lion Champions Fund
P.O. Box 3011
Commerce, TX 75429

We can take a credit card secure payment over the phone. Please call 903.468.8760.

Automatic payment plans are an easy way to split your gift into smaller payments. To set up a personal plan please contact the Lion Champions Fund Staff by calling 903.468.8760.

Many employers match charitable contributions made by their employees. If your company has a matching gift program, request the appropriate form from your employer and send it in with your gift.

In some situations, gifts or goods/services will be accepted in lieu of a cash contribution. All gifts-in-kind must be approved by the Lion Champions Fund.

Why We Give

Scott Wheeler

“We enjoy helping young people who are working to improve them- selves both academically and physically. Athletics can mean so much to a university well beyond the student-athletes, involving the band, cheerleaders, dance squad, students, alumni, faculty, staff, and more, creating a true esprit de corps, a sense of community and yes, a PRIDE. Truth is, most people hear about a university via its athletic programs and therefore they are even more important.”

James Thrower

“Our family is proud to support the Thrower Student-Athlete Success Center and other Lion Athletics Scholarship Fund initiatives. We are so honored to impact student success through the LCF and celebrate champions in the classroom and in competition. Go Lions!”

Janis and Ralph Stroope

“Ralph and I give because we know how hard the student-athletes work to put Commerce on the map! Our gifts provide a better experience for them, and will help them reach their goals and dreams. It is ALL ABOUT THE STUDENTS!”

News Spotlights

The Varsity L Club

The East Texas A&M/ET Association of Former Student-Athletes – is an organization formed to reconnect former student-athletes to our university and Lion Athletics.

Just four years ago, we had less than 300 accurate former student-athlete contact points, and that number is increasing every day!

Join TODAY by updating your contact information and securing your spot with a $30 donation to the LCF. You will receive a Varsity L Club decal, and your sport specific sticker with your registration and gift.

Varsity Club icon.

Meet our Department

Josiah Castro Deputy Athletics Director Revenue Generation

Contact Us

  • P.O. Box 3011
  • Commerce, TX 75429-3011
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