A Rutgers Booster Club Like No Other
Whether the Scarlet Knights win or lose, few fans show more ardor and commitment to the football team than members of the all-volunteer Rutgers Touchdown Club, the 44-year-old booster organization that raises money for the football team and supports a student-athlete each year through the Touchdown Club Endowed Scholarship Fund. During a recent season, the Touchdown Club raised more than $150,000 for the team by selling 50/50 raffle tickets. Members can also serve on a host of committees, whether contributing to the awards banquet or coming up with fundraising ideas. Alumnus Martin Allen, the president of the Touchdown Club, reveals his ambitions for the club for 2023.
RUTGERS MAGAZINE: As the president, what changes are you considering, or have you made, for the Touchdown Club?
MARTIN ALLEN: We will be better connected to the Scarlet Knights football program and the Rutgers Athletics marketing team. This will allow the Touchdown Club to engage directly with football season ticket holders and letter-winners to raise awareness of the club and to increase fundraising opportunities and club membership.
RM: How and where do you recruit club members?
MA: We have various channels of communication to reach potential and existing members, including social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter), email blasts, a club newsletter, and in-person meetings. Club membership consists of a one-year term running from July to July and includes a sliding scale of dues.
RM: The club has several committees, ranging from promoting membership drives to generating publicity for the organization. What are some of the changes or enhancements that you have been pursuing?
MA: We have been working with Athletics' marketing and ticketing departments to improve engagement with season ticket holders and Rutgers football fans. We will be expanding club offerings to allow season ticket holders to participate in some of our events and to increase membership in the coming seasons.
RM: How often do club meetings take place, and do the topics of discussion differ from meeting to meeting?
MA: Club member meetings are held once a month during the football season. Speakers have included head football coach Greg Schiano, assistant coaches, football staff, members of the local television and print media as well as former players. The Rutgers football program is the common theme for all meetings.
RM: Do you have a goal for the amount of money you hope to raise each year through the 50/50 raffle?
MA: For the 2021 season, the club’s 50/50 raffles raised roughly $150,000 for the football program. Our goal is to significantly increase that amount every season. Since Coach Schiano’s return to lead the Scarlet Knights, the club has worked hard to return the 50/50 game day raffle revenue to previous levels, and we have been overjoyed with the success. The club is extremely grateful for Rutgers University Foundation and the cheer, dance, and Olympic sports programs that have worked with us on game days to make this fundraiser so wonderful. We hope to expand on this fundraiser as well as other existing and new ones in seasons to come.
RM: What are some of the other ways that volunteers can contribute to fundraising?
MA: There are a range of new and expanded opportunities under consideration to drive fundraising, including the annual season ticket seat raffles; a season-long touchdown pool, which has been under development; the Scarlet & White Spring Game Auction; Touchdown Club apparel sales; and away-game trips.
RM: What are some of the events that you have in place for volunteers to enjoy as a thanks for their contributions?
MA: We are working with the football program to create exclusive and exciting experiences for club members during the 2023 season and beyond as Rutgers builds on its successes on and off the football field. We were somewhat constrained in our opportunities during the pandemic years. But in acknowledging the contributions of club members, we look forward to planning athletic facility tours and attending team practices and other events with players and coaches in upcoming seasons. We are excited about what the future holds for the club as it continues to grow.