University of Florida

The Goal

Founded in 1969, Gators Rugby had everything a strong college program needs: a large alumni base, two competitive teams, boosters and sponsors. What it lacked was connection. The men's, women's and alumni groups each ran their own websites and social channels, alumni didn't know who was playing or where, and giving meant ad-hoc checks for the next trip. After Florida was one of 5 programs chosen from 30 applicants for a US Rugby Foundation grant, UFRAA brought Madak on in April 2026 to turn that momentum into a system: one place for the whole community, a clear plan and a specific ask alumni could get behind.

What We Did

• Digital Impact™ Strategic Plan: Built the 2026–2028 strategic plan with the UFRAA board around four pillars (community, financial stability, competition and brand), with two-year and ten-year targets and both programs' budgets priced line by line.
• Brand Foundation: Brought the men's, women's and alumni identities under one name, Gators Rugby, with one visual identity and matching social handles across platforms.
• Website: Designed and built gatorsrugby.com, one hub for both programs with rosters, schedules, results, match reports, news and club history going back to 1969.
• CRM & Online Giving: Set up Bloomerang as the alumni database and fundraising platform, connected to the website with online giving and membership payments.
• Content & Email: Run a regular email schedule of match previews and recaps, plus news, player features and alumni spotlights.
• Sponsorship Sheet: Designed the 2026–27 sponsorship sheet, with six partnership levels and add-ons across social media, email, the website, apparel and match day.
• Board Dashboard: Built a dashboard that tracks progress toward the plan's targets for alumni members, the endowment, scholarships, the growth fund and Alumni Weekend, alongside fundraising, email, website and recruiting activity.

The Impact

For the first time, every part of Gators Rugby lives in one place. Alumni can follow both teams, explore the club's history and give through a single site, and the board has a plan with numbers anyone can see. Both programs share the same technology, communications and fundraising, and the women's program, whose alumni base is smaller and less connected, is being brought along on purpose rather than left behind. With a verified database, a clear way to give and a specific annual ask, UFRAA has moved from funding the next trip to building something permanent: an endowment, a growth fund, scholarships and internships that will outlast any graduating class.