A Landmark Year: Gratitude To The Cal Family
As Cal Athletics reflects on the 2024-25 year, the department extends its heartfelt thanks to the entire Cal family. This remarkable year was made possible by its unwavering belief in the mission and steadfast support of Cal student-athletes.
During the 2024-25 year, a record $82 million was given in support of Cal Athletics - the largest single year total in its history. It marked the fifth consecutive year Cal Athletics received at least $35 million in philanthropic support and included both the first- and third-largest commitments ever made to the department. Additionally, 64.8% of donors who made a gift in 2023-24 also made a gift in 2024-25 - reinforcing what has long been known: the Cal family shows up, year after year.
Support for operational needs also saw a tremendous boost, with more than $17.3 million directly funding the student-athlete experience across all varsity sports and initiatives. These gifts had an immediate and tangible impact, ensuring student-athletes had the tools and resources to perform at their very best.
"The Cal community is one unlike any other. Even with the challenges and changes college athletics has endured, they remain steadfast in their commitment and support of Cal and, most importantly, our student-athletes," Cal Chief Development Officer Beth Tafolla-Voetsch said. "I hope the entire Cal family can see the role they played in our milestone year. Your belief in our student-athletes fuels what we do, and on behalf of the entire department, I thank you for your support."
Among many highlights this year, one moment stands alone in Cal Athletics history: an unprecedented $26 million gift from Ned '66 and Carol '66 Spieker. This transformative endowment secures the future of men's swimming and diving and men's water polo for generations to come. Cal Athletics is profoundly grateful to the Spieker family for their visionary investment in the long-term strength of its programs.
The men's and women's golf and rugby programs were also endowed this year, bringing the total number of endowed programs to five. To learn more about these transformational commitments and the aspirational goal of endowing 15 sports programs by 2028, click here.
Additionally, a fifth head coaching position was endowed ahead of the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Cal men's rowing program. Jeff '75 and Patty '75, '76 Williams made a $1.5 million gift to endow the Williams Family Men's Rowing Head Coach, which was part of the matching endowment challenge led by longtime UC Berkeley and Cal men's rowing supporters, the Rogers family. Additionally, 17 new endowments were created across all 30 sports programs - these investments not only solidify the department's foundation, they also signal a powerful belief in the bright future of Cal Athletics.
Several transformative seven-figure gifts helped propel Cal Athletics to its historic fundraising milestone. The Haas Jr. Fund contributed $4.2 million - a generous investment that will enhance Haas Pavilion by preserving its most iconic features while improving the experience for both student-athletes and fans. Two anonymous donors each contributed $1 million to Cal football, and The Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund generously provided $1 million in support of both Cal men's basketball and football. Additionally, Stacey Baba '77 made a $1 million bequest to benefit the Cal softball and women's golf programs, and following the Cal softball and beach volleyball facility groundbreakings, we were pleased to announce an anonymous $1 million gift to create the first Cal Beach Volleyball programmatic endowment. Cal Athletics is profoundly grateful for the extraordinary generosity and steadfast commitment of these dedicated supporters.
Spring 2025 also brought seismic change to college athletics with the passing of the NCAA House Settlement, providing the opportunity for revenue sharing with student-athletes. Cal Athletics responded swiftly with the launch of the Fight For California campaign, designed to ensure head coaches have the resources to recruit and retain the best and brightest student-athletes, while also strengthening overall program operations.
The campaign's momentum was immediate. In April, the Fight For California Football Challenge shattered records, securing over $2 million in just eight days - the most ever given during a UC Berkeley crowdfunding campaign. In June, the Fight For California Women's Basketball Challenge secured nearly $200,000 in just two weeks. These efforts represent only the beginning of what is expected to be a game-changing initiative for the department.
Over the past two years, the California Legends Collective has played a vital role in supporting Cal's student-athletes during a time of significant change in intercollegiate athletics. The Collective's board and its contributors' commitment have been instrumental as Cal Athletics adapted to a new and dynamic landscape, and the department is incredibly grateful for its efforts.
As the new academic year commences at the University of California, Berkeley, there is much to look forward to. With the unwavering support and enduring passion of the Cal family, even more remarkable athletics and academic achievements lie ahead.