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Today's challenge to stay competitive in intercollegiate sports does not center solely on the quality of the athletes but rather rests heavily on the type of financial support from the community. In its 18 years of service to the athletic department, the Air Force Academy Athletic Association (AFAAA) Blue and Silver Club has not only helped boost individual and corporate support of Air Force Academy (AFA) athletics, but will also keep the AFA Falcons competitive with other larger members of the new Mountain West Conference both financially and athletically.

The Blue and Silver Club is an annual fund-raising program and membership organization with attractive benefits for sports enthusiasts established solely for the purpose of generating financial and other support for cadet athletics. The club was created with the initial goal of raising corporate and individual donations in order to compete intercollegiately. Over the years, the club has been a driving force for the athletic association attaining funds to help and initiate the conversion of the athletic staff from military personnel to the finest contract coaches. Today, the club has evolved to represent a social organization for many individuals and companies who enjoy entertaining clients, family and friends at the games, in addition to the pregame and postgame parties.

One of the smallest and youngest members in the NCAA, the AFA has fewer alumni as well as fewer alumni who after graduation are stationed in the United States from whom to tap for donations. Thus, the Blue and Silver Club relies heavily on the community and local businesses to help fund the athletic programs. With a membership of more than 1,000 of Colorado Springs most influential business people, the club recognizes the enormous influence the AFA and its athletic programs have on the local economy, tourism-related business and national exposure.

Despite this common assumption that the AFA receives most of its funding from the federal government, the AFA Athletic Association has an annual payroll of over $5 million and total operating expenses of $13 million that must be supplemented by athletic-generated revenue (nongovernmental/nontaxpayer dollars). Donations in any form not just from the Blue and Silver Club help support 27 men's and women's varsity teams by providing for a full range of necessities to operate a quality, nationally competitive program including salaried coaches, recruitment of top athletes from across the nation, travel costs and athletic facilities expansions.

To obtain more information about the Falcon Blue & Silver Club call 719-333-3501.

Or Write:
Blue & Silver Club
Attn: Nancy Hixson
2169 Field House Drive
U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840-9500

Pregame hospitality is one of the outstanding benefits enjoyed by Blue and Silver Club members. Hotels such as the Radisson Inn North, Wyndham, Sheraton, Antler's Adams Mark, and Embassy Suites host pregame brunch activites on a game-to-game basis. In addition, a full bar service is provided through halftime of the football game. The generous support of the Cheyenne Mountain Conference Resort creates a special atmosphere for our members.

Approximately 1,000 members enjoy the pregame hospitality of the Blue and Silver Club every game. The hospitality takes place over a two hour period leading up to kickoff.

The Blue and Silver Club features 450 indoor seats. Sliding glass windows are adjusted depending on the weather for the optimum atmosphere. Game day programs featuring player information and opponent insight are distributed to the membership each game.

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