About Us
Transition to Old Dominion Athletic Foundation
In 1964 the Old Dominion University Intercollegiate Foundation was formed to financially support the athletic program. In the initial year, 30 donors helped raise $5,000. Several years later the Big Blue Club was formed in 1971 to add a social component to the foundation. Over the years we have evolved into an organization that still retains the annual fund as our top priority, but now provide support through endowments, capital projects, coaches retention, enhancement funds all the while offering social opportunities and special events. This growth as well as a desire to unify under a single brand identity that is more closely tied to the university, its mission and athletic department led to formation of the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation.
The following is a timeline of the evolution of the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation:
| 1964 | ODUIF is formed by the late Athletic Director Bud Metheny |
| 1971 | Big Blue Club is formed |
| 1976 | Priority Seating and hospitality benefits begin for Big Blue Club Members at Norfolk Scope and the ODU Fieldhouse |
| 2002 | Ted Constant Convocation Center opens, the priority points system is implemented and endowed scholarships become a primary focus of ODUIF |
| 2008 | The Big Blue Club goes over $1 million in unrestricted funds - $1.8 million |
| 2009 | ODU football begins with naming rights secured for Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium, Ainslie Football Complex and the Alcaraz-Weinstein Family Plaza |
| 2009 | $2.37 million raised |
| 2010 | $2.69 million raised |
| March 2011 | ODAF (The Old Dominion Athletic Foundation) is formed * All past donations and priority points are automatically transferred to ODAF |
