McHenry, MD – Garrett College is conducting a feasibility study that could lead to a $1 million capital campaign to support the College's intercollegiate athletics program.

The study, in collaboration with the Garrett College Foundation, is based around confidential interviews to be conducted with community and civic leaders during mid-November and early December. Charitable Development Consulting, which is working with the College and Foundation on this project, selected the individuals and organizations to be interviewed as part of the study.

"The College and the Foundation conducted a similar feasibility study prior to embarking on the STEM and Performing Arts Center capital campaigns," said Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College's president. "That study played a critical role in developing the plan that helped raise more than $6 million for those two capital campaigns."

Cherie Krug, executive director of the Garrett College Foundation, said Charitable Development Consulting (CDC) was selected as the project consultant as the result of a highly competitive screening process.

"CDC has extensive experience in conducting athletics-related feasibility studies," said Krug. "The firm is also very highly regarded in the development community."

Krug noted that Dr. Bruce Bigelow and Dr. Carol Komerten, who jointly founded Frederick-based CDC in 2001, have significant higher education experience.

Bigelow served as Hood College's senior vice president and Gettysburg College's associate vice president for development. Komerten was professor of English as well as director of major gifts and planned gifts at Hood College.

"The College and the Foundation are confident we will receive a clear, actionable plan from CDC through the study process," said Krug, adding the confidential interviews for the study will take place November 14-15 and December 5-6.

The campaign will explore the capacity of the College and the Foundation to raise $1 million to support four potential intercollegiate athletics initiatives:

• Continued expansion of intercollegiate athletics, including the addition of men's soccer and E-sports (a team-based video competition that is one of the NJCAA's most recently sanctioned sports).
• Develop a local funding source that can be leveraged with state funding to build additional athletics facilities that can support expanded intercollegiate athletics programs, including additional locker room space, an indoor practice field, batting cages and an E-sports "stadium".
• Upgrading IT capabilities within Laker Court and on the new multi-purpose turf field to expand streaming capacity, which will enhance the College's ability to attract out-of-county and out-of-state student athletes.
• Begin a Building Fund for eventual replacement of the new turf field, which is currently estimated to take place in 2035.

"At Garrett College, intercollegiate athletics is a meaningful part of the student experience," said Midcap. "Out student athletes learn important qualities like teamwork, perseverance, and respectful competition. And our Laker teams help provide a richer campus environment for students, faculty, and staff."

Midcap said intercollegiate athletics is also a critical part of the College's enrollment and financial plans.

"Many of our student athletes are out-of-county and out-of-state students who live in our residence halls and sign on for our meal plans," said Midcap. "They generate revenue that permits the College to offer the lowest in-county tuition rate in the state. This campaign will help us continue to attract high-caliber student athletes to become part of Laker Nation."