CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri's Department of Athletics is launching its "Soar to 1,000" Redhawks Club membership drive this upcoming 2021-22 school year.
 
The "Soar to 1,000" membership drive is designed to help grow the overall membership of the Redhawks Club to over 1,000 households and businesses for the first time in over two decades.

"Growing our Redhawks Club membership is a critical component to ensure that our coaches and student-athletes have the resources they need to win championships and help us achieve our ultimate goal of becoming the premier Athletic Department in the Ohio Valley Conference," said Director of Athletics Brady Barke. "Although 1,000 members is an aggressive goal, we have had recent success in achieving similar ambitious goals like winning the Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner's Cup."
 
The Redhawks Club serves as the main fundraising arm for the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Athletics. It provides resources for the SEMO Athletic Department and its student-athletes to succeed in the classroom and competition. Departmentally, SEMO Athletics always strives to be the best in the OVC. Contributions from Redhawks Club members primarily go toward scholarships for student-athletes unless otherwise designated by the donor for a specific purpose. 
 
In the most recent available data provided by the NCAA, SEMO ranked just sixth out of the 10 OVC member institutions in donor contributions designated to athletics, nearly 40 percent behind the programs in the top-third of the conference. However, SEMO Athletics ranked second in the OVC in direct funds provided by the institution to athletics and first among public institutions in the league.
 
"Since the start of the 2019 calendar year, our teams have won 11 OVC Championships, more than any other school in the conference. Our gymnastics team won a USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate National Championship," said Barke. "With the financial support of our fans and alumni in Southeast Missouri and beyond, I am confident we can experience even more success." 

Anyone can join the Redhawks Club by making a donation to support SEMO Athletics. Monthly recurring gifts are also available. Redhawks Club donors are eligible to receive benefits based on their giving level. For complete information about membership levels and benefits, visit GoSoutheast.com/RedhawksClub.

Current and renewing Redhawks Club members have the opportunity to continue the momentum by giving in other ways. Donors can Fly Higher when they increase their giving by at least one benefit level higher than the previous year. Redhawks Club members who are unable to Fly Higher are encouraged to Give 110%, increasing their annual gift by 10 percent. In addition, current members can support the "Soar to 1,000" campaign by referring potential Redhawks Club members online HERE. A member of the Athletics Department staff or Redhawks Club Board of Directors will contact each referral to discuss membership options 

Donations to the Redhawks Club can be made online at GoSoutheast.com/RedhawksClub, or by calling (573) 651-2962. Gifts can also be sent via mail to:
 
Redhawks Club
One University Plaza – MS 0200
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701