• To enhance the total women's athletic program
  
• To provide the fiscal assistance for athletic scholarships in order to build and maintain a total academic and athletic program of excellence
• To increase active spectator participation for all Lady Vol competitions
  

  The Boost-Her club works toward achieving its mission by:
  

• Assistance toward Lady Vol Scholarships through membership dues and special fund raising activities
  
• Organizing trips to Lady Vol competitions on the road
  
• Providing hospitality around Lady Vol competitions
  
• Speaking at civic meetings and community events
  
• Attending, and encouraging attendance, at all Lady Vol activities

HISTORY OF THE LADY VOL BOOST-HER CLUB

After the basketball AIWA Tourney in 1979, Gloria Ray assembled a group of volunteer supporters (approx 12-15 were active) to develop the guidelines for forming an organization dedicated to supporting the activities of the Lady Vol athletic teams. Meetings were held during May and June, 1979, which resulted in developing the Club name, approving and submitting the charter to Nashville for approval, developing the working relationship between the University and the Club, establishing a list of benefits for Club members, designing a membership brochure, and nominating and electing the Club officers and Directors. The Club name, Lady Vol Boost-Her Club was derived by inserting "-H" in the word booster. Further actions were delayed until the fall of 1979 due to a change of personnel within the AD. In October and November an ad hoc type effort to obtain additional members was conducted, which resulted in obtaining over 100 members who donated approximately $15,000 to the Lady Vol Scholarship Fund.

The finishing touches on the organization continued during 1980. Lists of committees, with function statements for each, were approved. The first organized membership drive was held between May and September, resulting in an increase to approximately 500 members who donated about $50,000 dollars to the Scholarship Fund. Recommended Bylaws were presented to the UTWAD, and were subsequently were approved, with modifications, by the general membership in October 1980. The new Bylaws served as the basis for operation during the 1980-81 year, and the pattern was established for the Club operation. Although there have been several minor modifications, this format has continued to the present time.

Principal early activities of the Club included organizing bus trips for out of town games, hosting a "Hospitality Reception" after all home basketball and volleyball games (this activity was extended to include all Lady Vol athletes, coaches and staff, as well as members of the opposing teams.), conducting annual membership drives and PhoneBanks, hosting dinners for all Lady Vol teams, and publishing a bimonthly newsletter distributed to all persons making donations to the Scholarship Fund.

Over the years, changes have occurred which dictated a modification to the Club's activities. The receptions are no longer practical, the membership drive has been integrated with the sale of season tickets to the basketball games, and a local travel agency now handles bus trips, even though sponsored by the Club. Covered dish dinners are still held for each Lady Vol team, to include cheerleaders, and the newsletter is published as before. The Club now participates in the Homecoming Parade each year, sponsors the sale of Lady Vol memorabilia, and a "5K Run or Walk" is held in November each year. The proceeds form both latter activities are donated to the Scholarship Fund.

Club membership during fiscal year 2002 has increased to over 2,600 members whose donations, together with the donations by Scholarship Donors and proceeds from the Salute to Excellence dinners held each year by the UTWAD totaled over $1.5 million. All members are encouraged to attend the five General Membership Meetings where they can learn more about the Lady Vol athletes, coaches, and support staff, who are guest speakers at each meeting, --AND all members are welcome to take a more active role in Club activities.

• Give a direct gift of cash, credit card or do a monthly payment plan.
• Contribute to the University of Tennessee Annual Giving Fund with a designation of all, or a portion of the gift to the Lady Vols.
• Give deferred gifts established through wills and estate plans.
• Give In-kind contributions of goods and services.

Please contact the Lady Vol office if you are interested in our scholarship endowment program.

TAX INFORMATION: Under section 170 (1) of the Internal Revenue Code, eighty percent (80%) of an amount paid to an institution of higher education is eligible for treatment as a charitable contribution if, as a result of the payment, the donor received the right to purchase tickets for seating in an athletic stadium. You should consult with a tax advisor concerning the deductibility of your contribution.