The San Jose State Athletic Department hosted a town hall Zoom meeting on Tuesday to discuss the launch of “One Spartan Nation,” its newest fundraising platform.
The town hall was led by Director of Athletics Development Rob Clark and SJSU Athletic Director Marie Tuite.
The meeting began with updates on south campus construction.
Clark explained various changes are coming to CEFCU Stadium, including the addition of suites and new viewing areas for fans.
Jose Perez, a political science junior and Spartan Marching Band member, said he’s eager to see if the new changes draw in crowds when fans are permitted again.
“I think that this was a much needed upgrade and a perfect time for it,” Perez said. “People didn’t attend because of the poor conditions of the stadium.”
Clark said there are three buildings that will change the way campus is seen both locally and nationally: the construction of the science building, faculty housing and the Spartan
Athletic Complex.
The complex will be built on south campus as a means to improve the area and make it feel more inclusive to the university, Clark said. It’s set to be completed in August 2023.
“We are really trying to tie the main campus into the south campus,” Clark said.
Perez said as a performer, the stadium and south campus facility upgrades are significant to him.
“I feel that with a larger crowd comes more willingness to perfect our performances,” Perez said. “With this, we would feel more pressure to do better and have more energy.”
Clark said more than 80 acres of sports facilities on the south campus are going to be family entertainment zones.
He emphasized the improvement of the stadium’s facilities is largely because of the support that Spartan fans have contributed.
“The idea of this is to honor and thank you for being part of Spartan Nation,” Clark said. The emphasis on entertainment and expansion on fan areas is tentative because of coronavirus restrictions.
Tuite said if county health regulations allow for fans in the fall, she would absolutely support it.
“Whatever they allow us, we want to hit that mark,” Tuite said.
Clark and Tuite then discussed the components and goals of One Spartan Nation.
The new logo used for One Spartan Nation places emphasis on SJSU’s original fundraising platform’s establishment date.
The logo reads “One Spartan Nation” with an emphasis on “Spartan.” The Spartan head is located at the bottom of the logo, surrounded by “est. 1958” lettering.
University alumni formed the Spartan Foundation in 1958, which is now being rebranded with the name One Spartan Nation.
Clark said athletics is trying to be as simple and communicative as possible, so the department also set up a text messaging system for One Spartan Nation.
“Your membership to One Spartan Nation is what makes that vision become reality and your investment has a tremendous impact on our 470 student-athletes in competition, academics and life,” Tuite says in a message on the official website.
The platform is intended to make donors feel like they are part of something bigger, Clark said.
There were three pillars discussed during the town hall. Clark outlined them and said the goal was to unite Spartan Nation, build sustainable success and transform Spartan Athletics through investments.
Clark said regardless of the donation, the idea is to unify the fanbase with One Spartan Nation.
“If you are giving to certain areas of campus or supporting the Spartans, you’re in,” Clark said.
However, he said the benefits of the program are variant upon donor’s giving levels. Some of the benefits include priority parking, seating, tailgates, VIP events and recognition on the
official website.
The funds allocated through the program are meant to support
student-athletes, Clark said.
The program’s overall goal stated on the website and repeated through the event is to transform the lives of student-athletes
through scholarship.
