Over the years, the 220 Quarterback Club has raised money for the Florida A&M athletics program.

On Wednesday, the organization added another generous donation towards Rattlers sports.

The 220 Quarterback Club, led by its President Eddie Jackson, presented FAMU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes a $50,000 check towards the Women’s Athletic Fund.

The 220 Quarterback Club raised the money in less than eight weeks.

During Sykes’ tenure, which began in January 2023, FAMU has won five Southwestern Athletic Conference championships. Three have been women’s sports: tennis, cross-country, and indoor track and field.

“We always have a lot of energy and support for our men’s sports. But sometimes, [women athletes] get overlooked,” Sykes said.

“They practice the same number of hours, are on the road, and compete as much as their male counterparts. So, I appreciate that you found it appropriate and think of them as deserving enough for you all to rally around and create a specific program to support and recognize everything they need.

“On behalf of the Department of Athletics, all of our women’s coaches and athletes, I just want to thank you.”

The next major project for the 220 Quarterback Club is a $1 million fundraising project for FAMU Athletics.

Jackson said he will release the details at the 220 Quarterback Club's April 10th luncheon and hopes to reach the $1 million threshold by the end of December.

FAMU athletic director Tiffani-Dawn Sykes gives updates on rings, ongoing projects

Serving as the 220 Quarterback Club’s keynote speaker, Sykes used Wednesday to address the current workings of FAMU’s athletic department.

Sykes implemented a fundraising technique to replenish funds used for FAMU football’s SWAC championship and Celebration Bowl-winning 2023 season ring to gift to players, coaches, and support staffers.

The Rattlers will receive a separate SWAC title and Celebration Bowl ring at the players’ request, for which production cost ran FAMU $450 per individual.

FAMU is allowing fans and supporters to sponsor a player’s ring. The players’ ring box will be embroidered with the sponsor’s name.

Ninety-seven FAMU football players are listed for sponsorship ($43,650).

Sykes said she sponsored rings for two football players.

Rattlers football players receive their SWAC title ring on April 12 in a ring gala in FAMU’s Grand Ballroom. Individual tickets to attend cost $100, and tables of eight cost $750.

Sykes said the Celebration Bowl rings will be ready later due to their “intricate” details.

“It is our hope as we continue to win more championships to allow you all to engage through the opportunity to support our student-athletes,” Sykes said. “Because it’s something they get to keep forever.”

To follow FAMU’s championship football season, Investing in Champions package prices have increased as the Rattlers look to repeat as SWAC and Black College Football National champions.

Under Sykes’ leadership, FAMU has also launched Rattlers Plus, a subscription-based streaming platform that allows people to view FAMU athletic events.

Sykes also implemented a 50-50 raffle, where half of the amount raised with ticket sales goes to FAMU Athletics, and the other half goes to the raffle winner. The raffles were promoted at FAMU games like football and basketball.

A concept also used by Power 5 program Mizzou and the NFL's Miami Dolphins, Sykes called the 50-50 raffle fundraising tactic “easy money,” as it has no costs against FAMU Athletics.

Everything seen as an opportunity for FAMU to flow money into athletics program

FAMU’s Orange and Green Spring Football Game on April 13 will be a day to stream funds into the athletic program.

Ahead of the game, FAMU will have a ‘Coffee with Colzie’ event to meet and greet new Rattlers head football coach James Colzie III, Sykes announced. Cost to attend is $35.

Spring game entry costs $15, and fans can sit on the west side of the Bragg Memorial Stadium (behind the home sideline).

FAMU will have three concession stands open and is working on adding a water-only tent. Sykes is also considering letting fans tailgate at the spring game.

At the game, FAMU will have an inventory sale where fans can buy throwback game-worn Rattlers sports apparel.

“Every opportunity we get to generate revenue, we’re doing it,” Sykes said. “It’s a critical need. So, in everything we do, we try to be creative.”

From April 18-19, FAMU will have its annual day of giving in conjunction with 1887 Strikes. Each FAMU sports team will establish its projects, such as batting cages for baseball.

FAMU’s annual Strike Tour returns this summer. Last year, the Strike Tour raised nearly $125,000 in donations made to its website.

Sykes said she aims to devise a plan to generate money for FAMU Athletics when she attends the National Alumni Association Convention from May 30 to June 2 in Tampa.

“One of our goals is to come up with ways to generate revenue for the department more holistically,” Sykes said.

"At the National Alumni Association Convention in Tampa, we hope to be one of the outcomes: to present the necessary needs for athletics and the true cost of operating.”

FAMU athletic director Tiffani-Dawn Sykes announces plans for 2024-2025 season

After parting ways with Robert McCullum following seven seasons, FAMU is actively searching nationwide to identify its next head men’s basketball coach.

Sykes has assembled a search committee of administrators, alumni, boosters, and student-athletes and says they are working on an “aggressive timeline” to land the next men’s basketball coach.

With the job garnering much interest, Sykes said she received a phone call from Kentucky head men’s basketball coach John Calipari, who recommended a candidate for the FAMU job.

“The process has already begun,” Sykes said. “We will have a very aggressive timeline. We must get a coach named and in place to put ourselves in the best position to be competitive again in men’s basketball.”

After not being held since 2021, the FAMU Relays are back.

The Rattlers will host the historic meet on Pete Griffin Track on March 22, 2025. It will be on the same day as the FAMU Spring 2025 Preview to enhance participation and attendance.

“When we’re picking dates, we are trying to be mindful of how to get the most participation,” Sykes said.

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Athletics: Rattlers AD Sykes, supporters continue fundraising efforts