he “Support Her” Women’s Athletics Endowment ensures that women’s sports programs at Coastal Carolina University have the resources they need to grow and thrive for years to come.
Thanks to a generous initiative led by 1985 CCU alumni David Sage and his family, female athletics at CCU will receive necessary funding in various areas.
This endowment is a long-term investment in all 13 women’s sports programs including: basketball, beach volleyball, dance, cheerleading, cross country, golf, indoor and outdoor track and field, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.
Unlike traditional university budgets, this fund allows the athletic department to support female athletes in key areas, such as scholarships, upgraded facilities and additional training resources.
How Will the Endowment Help Female Athletes?
Kelly Moore, the executive director of the Chanticleer Athletic Foundation (CAF),
explained the endowments’ benefits to come for female athletes.
“Each year, there’ll be dollars earned off of the endowment, and our athletic director will take a look at everything we need that year and decide where to place that money,” Moore said.
The endowment will be flexible based on areas of need. Moore said it can fund different things every year; it can supplement scholarships, invest in facility enhancements for female sports or invest in nutrition and mental training.
This flexibility ensures the endowment remains relevant and impactful, adjusting to the evolving needs of women’s sports at CCU rather than being locked into a single purpose.
A Matching Challenge That Multiplies the Impact
For a lasting impact, the Sage family launched a matching challenge to inspire the entire CCU community.
“The Sage family has issued a challenge to all of Teal Nation that we can collectively raise up to $500,000, and they will match that. That’s what’s so cool about a matching gift can crowd source it. It doesn’t just have to be from one person,” Moore said.
This means every single dollar donated to the endowment automatically doubles in value, allowing the fund to grow beyond its initial goal of $750,000. If the challenge is met, over $1 million in funding will be dedicated entirely to improving women’s athletics at CCU.
The Sage family is not just making financial contributions, they are also deeply involved in the Coastal Carolina community. Their presence at athletic events helps build momentum for further donations and initiatives aimed at improving opportunities for student athletes.
“The Sage family has been very involved in Coastal already. Their daughter went here and was on our dance team. David Sage himself is on our CAF board, and Marla Sage is our dance coach here,” Moore said.
This dedication isn’t just making an impact at CCU, it’s inspiring others to step up and contribute as well.
A Bigger Message for Students
While this endowment is a game-changer for women’s athletics, the impact goes beyond sports. It sends a message to all students about the importance of giving back and supporting future generations.
“Students should know that there are people behind the scenes who want to see them succeed. Whether you are a female student-athlete or a non-athlete student, there are donors and supporters who believe in you,” Moore said. “If you get an opportunity, if you are a recipient of a scholarship or a grant, I think it’s really important to find out who helped start that and who funded it and to thank them.”
This mindset is at the core of the Sage Endowment. It’s not just about improving sports at CCU today, it’s about creating a culture of long-term support and investment in the success of future Chanticleers.
How You can Help
For those who want to contribute to this historic initiative, donations can be made through the Chanticleer Athletic Foundation. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps build a stronger future for CCU’s women’s programs.
The Sage family has made their commitment clear: they believe in CCU, they believe in its athletes and they believe in the power of giving back. Now, it’s up to the Coastal community to step up and help make this vision a lasting reality.
