The Anchor Fund - Anchoring Student-Athletes at The Beach

The Anchor Fund will complement the existing Beach Athletic Fund, providing critical resources to ensure Long Beach State remains competitive in the evolving NCAA environment that now includes revenue sharing, expanded scholarship opportunities, and adjusted roster sizes.

"The landscape of collegiate athletics is undergoing historic change," said Bobby Smitheran, Executive Director of Athletics at Long Beach State. "The Anchor Fund represents our proactive approach to these changes, ensuring we can continue to provide an elite experience for our student-athletes while remaining fiscally responsible and true to our values."

The Anchor Fund will specifically address:

• Recruitment and Retention: Competing for top talent in the changing collegiate landscape

While the Beach Athletic Fund will continue to focus on:

• Scholarship Support: Providing financial aid to deserving student-athletes
• Operational Excellence: Ensuring programs have necessary resources to compete at the highest level

"For mid-major programs like Long Beach State, these NCAA changes present unique challenges, but also opportunities for those prepared to adapt," Smitheran added. "The Anchor Fund will help us navigate this new era while preserving the tradition, pride, and competitive spirit that define Beach Athletics."

The Anchor Fund - Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

What is The Anchor Fund?

The Anchor Fund is Long Beach State Athletics' strategic response to the changing collegiate athletics landscape, specifically designed to address the new realities following the House settlement. The initiative aims to provide direct support to student-athletes in alignment with new NCAA guidelines while ensuring Long Beach State remains competitive in recruiting and retaining top talent.

What does "Anchoring Student-Athletes at The Beach" mean?

This tagline represents our commitment to providing stability and support for our student-athletes during this period of significant change in collegiate athletics. Like an anchor provides stability in changing waters, The Anchor Fund will help secure our student-athletes' experience and success at Long Beach State.

How does The Anchor Fund differ from the Beach Athletic Fund (BAF)?

The Anchor Fund complements our existing Beach Athletic Fund. While the BAF continues to focus on scholarships and facilities, The Anchor Fund specifically addresses the new realities of student-athlete support created by the House settlement, including potential revenue sharing and other adjustments required by recent NCAA changes.

About the House Settlement

What is the House settlement and how does it affect Long Beach State?

The House settlement marks a pivotal moment for collegiate athletics, introducing revenue sharing, expanded scholarship opportunities, and reductions in roster sizes. These changes present unique challenges for mid-major programs like Long Beach State, requiring us to adapt how we support student-athletes, manage operations, and remain competitive.

Why is this initiative necessary now?

The recent changes in collegiate athletics are redefining the resources required to recruit, retain, and develop top-tier student-athletes. To remain competitive in this new environment, we must respond strategically and proactively. The Anchor Fund is our response to ensure continued excellence in Beach Athletics.

Supporting The Anchor Fund

How will my contribution to The Anchor Fund be used?

Contributions to The Anchor Fund will provide direct support to student-athletes in alignment with new NCAA guidelines. This includes supporting areas affected by the House settlement while ensuring Long Beach State can continue to compete at the highest levels of NCAA competition.

What are the priority areas for The Anchor Fund?

While specific allocations may evolve with NCAA guidelines, key focus areas include:

• Direct student-athlete support in accordance with new NCAA regulations
• Resources to remain competitive in recruiting and retaining top talent

Is my contribution to The Anchor Fund tax-deductible?

Yes, contributions to The Anchor Fund are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, as they support Long Beach State Athletics, part of California State University, Long Beach.