The economy is partially to blame as well. As companies scramble to stay solvent, they have less discretionary income to funnel into sponsorships. Major corporations that have the capital to survive the recession tend to put their money into top flight Division I programs that draw the most eyes. SF State has always relied upon smaller businesses.

“We used to have great sponsorships with say, Stonestown (Galleria), but as the economy has started to go, those sponsorships have gone with them,” McDermott said.

Within the SF State athletic department, there is confidence that if all things financial were equal, the Gators would become a force in the CCAA and nationally.

“This (program) is a sleeping giant, or rather a slowly arising giant,” Simpson said. “As we are able to improve our capacity to attract and finance our recruits, the potential is to do very well in conference.”

This potential is highlighted by the SF State wrestling team, the school’s only sport competing in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Scholarship money is more even in the RMAC. The Gators have won 11 RMAC wrestling titles in 50 years in the conference.

There is one positive that comes from the low level of scholarship funds.

“Most of the kids who do athletics do so because they really love the sport,” McDermott said.

No Gator is getting a free ride through college because of his or her athleticism. Gators are students who also play sports, rather than athletes who also go to school. Members of SF State sports team consistently outperform the student body as a whole in academics.

“I’m not really concerned about the money.  I’m here because I want to get a degree and I know that SF State can provide me a good education,” said Iris Tolenada, a junior setter on the Gator women’s volleyball team. “I do love volleyball. I do love this team.”

This situation may be improved over coming years if the economy rebounds from the recession.  If SF State is able to solve its general funding problems, the administration may find room in the budget to supplement the athletic department’s funding.

In the short term, the best thing the Gators can do is win.  Booster money tends to flow to successful programs.  Many of the Gator sports, like the cross country team and women’s soccer, are on the upswing.  This increases the likelihood that scholarship dollars will come.

For the SF State sports program, on-the-field success relies on off-the-field victories