The Garnet Club
WHO ARE WE?
The Swarthmore College Garnet Club strives to support, grow, and develop Swarthmore College athletics through the engagement of alumni, students, parents, and friends of Garnet Athletics. Garnet Club members value academic excellence, athletic spirit, and the Swarthmore tradition of opportunity and participation through athletics. For those who wear the "S", participation in athletics can have a profound and lifelong impact. The Garnet Club strives to support the goals and mission of Swarthmore athletes and the department of physical education, recreation, and athletics, pursuing programs to develop and enhance relations and engagement among all groups.
WHY ARE WE?
We appreciate the passion. We know the necessary commitment. We understand that the academic rigor sometimes masks the College's longstanding passion for athletics. A passion palpable at any number of athletic events during the year and at celebrations such as the College's annual Hall of Fame ceremony and the annual athletics awards banquet, where one finds confirmation that athletics and scholarship can and do go hand in hand. Thousands of Garnet athletes over the years have worn the "S" with pride. Seventeen of the 28 Rhodes Scholars the College has produced have been athletes. Dozens of academic All-Americans, some of whom set Division III records, hastened their growth to maturity in the pools and on the fields and courts of athletic competition.
HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE?
By offering both moral and practical support, the Garnet Club strives to help our athletes reach their full potential and to give them the best possible college experience.
- Make a gift to the Garnet Club. A financial commitment will support endeavors and projects intended to enhance the student-athlete experience through improved facilities, travel opportunities, live streaming of events, and recognition for athletic and academic achievement, among many other initiatives aimed at improving the athletics experience at all levels. Projects envisioned include a new press box and seating at the softball and baseball fields, a new scoreboard in the gymnasium, and opportunities for extended travel for our teams. We are always happy to hear your suggestions.
- Volunteer to coordinate / host receptions for our teams when they travel. Some of the most valuable opportunities for engagement occur when alumni, parents, and friends gather with current Garnet athletes and share their experiences.
- Event Support. From coordination of the annual Hall of Fame induction dinner and ceremony, to the annual Golf with the Garnet golf outing, to numerous Garnet Club events scheduled during the course of the year, these events all require assistance.
- Game day support. The Garnet Ambassador program affords an opportunity to those alumni, parents, and friends who live in the community to engage on a regular basis through game day support. From announcing, statistics, video, or photography to serving as a guest team host, there are important roles that can be filled through Garnet Club service.
- Community Service project coordination. Our coaches and students do a great deal of community service during the year. Whether working with Habitat, or Philabundance, or Special Olympics, coaches spend countless hours seeking out and planning these initiatives. You can help by Identifying, planning, and supporting these projects to continue the Garnet Athletics tradition of giving back through service.
- Community awareness. Help plan special events that engage the community and generate interaction with youth teams to raise awareness of Garnet athletics programs to students, alumni and the community at large.
Make your gift in support of the Garnet Club:
- by phone: 800-525-8622
- by sending a check (payable to Swarthmore College, note Garnet Club in memo line) to:
Swarthmore College Development Office
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA 19081
- online via credit card: Clicking on the MAKE A GIFT button, which will take you to the College's giving page
To designate your gift to Garnet Athletics on the online giving form, please use the "Other Fund" field and write "Garnet Club" in the "Other Fund Designation" box.
Please note, we encourage general gifts in support of the Garnet Club, however you may designate your gift to a particular Garnet team/or Club. Whether or not you designate your gift, it will be credited to the Garnet Club.
Interested in volunteering your support? Please contact Brad Koch, Director of Athletics at bkoch1@swarthmore.edu, or 610-328-8325.
