The Radford University Highlander Club is a vital part of the Highlanders' athletic success. Last year, more than 700 individuals and businesses invested more than $320,000, helping 201 RU student-athletes receive full or partial scholarships. Endowments account for some of those scholarships, while Highlander Club members assist in funding the rest.
The Highlander Club is a private organization which operates under the auspices of the non-profit Radford University Foundation Inc. The association is composed of alumni, parents, faculty, staff members, friends of the university and businesses committed to supporting the Highlanders’ Division I athletic program. Membership in The Highlander Club is open to anyone who makes a contribution of at least $25 to the Radford athletic scholarship fund.
Advisory Council
The Highlander Club is governed by an Advisory Council composed of local community leaders. The council is the working arm of the club, and works closely with the university’s Executive Director of The Highlander Club, and former standout soccer player and coach Tom Lillard (‘79). Scott Mann currently serves as chairperson of the council. Other council members are Mike Bain, Tim Blassingame ('91) Bev Davis, Frank Fitzgerald (’81, M.S. ‘83), Todd Jones ('88, M.S. '93) and William Hickam. Also Bonnie Hurlburt (‘58), Lou Kent, Val Mah, Mandy Martin and Clarence Rose. Others are Corey Reed (‘98), Gerald Roop, Gary Upp. Ex-officio members of the council are Burke Baker, Dave Blum (‘86), Doug Bowman, Dr. Douglas Covington, Greig Denny, Ron Downs (‘77, M.S. ‘84), Jim Durham, Ken Farmer, Darryl Gillespie (‘84), Charles Hayes, Jerry Jebo, Fred Newhouse, Joseph Sheffey (M.S. ‘75), Charlotte Shrewsbury, Barbara Cook Turk (‘87), Bobby Turk, George Williams, Jr., Mike Wilkerson (‘87) and Mary Wyatt (‘63).
Levels of Giving
Association Membership ($25-$199)
- Newsletter, Decal
Varsity Club ($50 & above)
(Open to former participants of intercollegiate athletics at RU only, including coaches, players, administrators, cheerleaders, managers)
- Auto Decal & Newsletter
- Invitation to special functions
Scottish Tartan ($200-$299)
- Auto Decal & Newsletter
- Invitation to special functions
Senior Highlander ($300-$499)
- Auto Decal & Newsletter
- Invitation to special functions
- VIP Parking at men’s & women’s basketball games
- Admission to basketball hospitality room
- Dedmon Center facility usage (age 60 and above)
Royal Tartan ($500-$749)
- Auto Decal & Newsletter
- Invitation to special functions
- VIP Parking at men’s & women’s basketball games
- Admission to basketball hospitality room
- Dedmon Center facility usage (all ages)
President’s Tartan ($750-$999)
All privileges of Royal Tartan membership plus:
- RU Athetic Association gift item
President’s Executive ($1,000-$2,499)
All privileges of Royal Tartan membership plus:
- Use of Dedmon Center pool (all ages)
- RU Athetic Association gift item
President’s Silver ($2,499-$4,999)
All privileges of President’s Executive membership plus:
- Reserved seating at special functions
President’s Golden ($5,000-above)
All privileges of President’s Silver membership plus:
- Big South Basketball Tournament Trip Package