THE OFFICIAL SITE OF BULLDOG ATHLETICS - Home of the 2008-09 SCIAC Women's All-Sports Trophy

The University of Redlands kicked off the first-ever Bulldog Bench membership drive just over a month ago and has already benefited from this important endeavor. As of Friday, Sept. 18, the Bulldog Bench includes 103 members and has raised nearly $10,000.

“We are very excited about the success of our first membership drive,” Director of Athletics Jeff Martinez said. “It is very rewarding to see so many people wanting to support Bulldog Athletics in this way.”

The Bulldog Bench invites fans and supporters of Redlands athletics to join for an annual fee of $100, which includes a window cling and periodic newsletters from Martinez. A special price of $50 is available for Redlands graduates from the classes of 2005 through 2008. In addition, 2009 alum may join for only $20.09.

All proceeds of the Bulldog Bench directly support the 21 intercollegiate programs at the University of Redlands.

Ten people have joined the Bulldog Bench as first-time donors to the University of Redlands, including five recent alums, two parents of student-athletes, and three graduates from earlier years.

The Bulldog Bench was originally started as a support group for Bulldog Athletics in 1971 and Jim Brondino ’64 served as the first president. Many alumni, parents and friends served on the Bulldog Bench Board during its first three decades and were extremely helpful and supportive of Bulldog Athletics.

“The continued growth and success of Redlands intercollegiate programs have given us an opportunity to revamp the Bulldog Bench and develop a new way to ensure that the student-athlete experience continues to be of the highest caliber during our second century,” stated Martinez.

Most recently, the Bulldog Bench has funded the addition of “Live Stats” for all home football, men’s and women’s soccer games, increasing the coverage to seven teams (including men’s and women’s basketball, softball and baseball). The Bench also provided transportation costs for the football team’s day trip to Shriners Hospital for Children in Los Angeles on Sept. 2.

Martinez has set a goal for the initial campaign to solicit 300 members by the end of the 2009-10 school year.

For more information on the Bulldog Bench or to become a member, click here.