CHARLESTON, S.C. – The College of Charleston Cougar Club has officially undergone a name change and will now be known as the College of Charleston Athletic Fund (CAF) effective immediately.
 
The process of the name change was completed in order to maximize the visibility of the organization's brand as well as to broaden the scope of fundraising activities that support College of Charleston Athletics.
 
The College of Charleston Athletic Fund will exist as the overarching umbrella under which all giving to athletics will occur. The organization will now place additional emphasis on philanthropic giving – including sport specific donations, facility initiatives, endowment opportunities and other areas – that will enhance and elevate the student-athlete experience at CofC.
 
The Cougar Club will remain a branch of the newly-created College of Charleston Athletic Fund, serving as the annual scholarship fund, which supports the scholarship needs for over 350 student-athletes across CofC's 19 varsity sports. All membership benefits such as premium seating, hospitality access, parking, etc., are still secured through an annual contribution to The Cougar Club.
 
"Over the past three years we have experienced record growth in donors and donations to support College of Charleston Athletics," CofC Director of Athletics Matt Roberts said. "The Annual Fund (The Cougar Club) is the foundation of our donor intertest, but there are so many other avenues in which the community can support our student-athletes through philanthropy.
 
"The College of Charleston Athletic Fund represents all facets of fundraising to support over 350 student-athletes participating in 19 sports.  I appreciate the holistic approach that our board and staff have taken with this name change. Our hope and belief is that we will be better positioned to promote our philanthropic opportunities and continue our unprecedented growth."
 
Funds raised through the CAF provide first-class opportunities and resources for student-athletes at The College. Donor support allows CofC student-athletes to earn a world-class degree, live in an amazing city and play the sport that they love at the highest collegiate level.
 
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our many donors for their past and continued support of the athletics department," said Jerry Baker, Executive Director of the College of Charleston Athletic Fund. "The CofC Athletic Fund opens up potential for a new era of philanthropic giving to support our student-athletes."
 
As part of the launch of the College of Charleston Athletic Fund, the website has been rebranded and can be accessed at www.cofcathleticfund.com. Additionally, the CAF social media accounts have changed as follows:
 
Twitter: @cofcathleticfnd
Instagram: @cofcathleticfund
Facebook: College of Charleston Athletic Fund
E-mail: athleticfund@cofc.edu
 
Please contact the College of Charleston Athletic Fund, if you have any questions or concerns or would like to become a member. As always, your support and dedication is greatly appreciated. Go Cougars!