About the Buck/Cardinal Club

The Buck/Cardinal Club is the unrestricted annual fund for Stanford Athletics, supporting nearly 900 student-athletes as they compete and succeed in the classroom, in competition, and in life beyond the Farm. Gifts to the Buck/Cardinal Club directly impact the student-athlete experience by funding critical resources including scholarships, sports performance, sports medicine, team travel, recruitment, nutrition, sports psychology and academic advising. Beyond an annual, expendable fund, the Buck/Cardinal Club is a community of alums, former student-athletes, parents, family, friends and fans of Stanford Athletics, who are committed to supporting Cardinal student-athletes as competitors, as students and as future leaders.

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History

In 1934, Stanford alumni and friends founded the "Tiny Buck of the Month Club" to raise funds to cover tuition costs for “capable, worthy, and needy student-athletes.” As the Club's name implied, membership dues were one dollar per month. The word "tiny" was added to emphasize the modest amount and to honor head football coach, Claude "Tiny" Thornhill. The Club later shortened its name to the "Stanford Buck Club" and revised its initial membership dues requirement to gifts of any size. With the advent of Title IX, the Cardinal Club was formed in 1977-78 to raise scholarship funds for female student-athletes on the Farm. Under the guidance of the Stanford Buck and Cardinal Clubs’ leadership, a merged Buck/Cardinal Club was formed in 1987 to raise funds for both men's and women's athletic scholarships. The Buck/Cardinal Club has changed the lives of student-athletes for nearly a century by funding life-changing scholarships and resources over the society’s 90-year history. Today, Stanford Athletics relies on Buck/Cardinal Club support to fund critical resources to nearly 900 student-athletes across 36 varsity sports. As the college sports landscape continues to evolve, Stanford Athletics remains committed to providing the best possible student-athlete experience for those who compete for the Cardinal.

Buck/Cardinal Club 90th Anniversary: A Letter from Bernard Muir

Inspire Champions in Life

“The Buck/Cardinal Club has had a lasting impact on Stanford student-athletes and I’m extremely grateful for their support. Being a Stanford student-athlete is a special experience because you really get the best of both the academic and athletic worlds. It was my dream to go to Stanford and get a Stanford diploma because I knew it would not only propel me places in tennis, but also in whatever I choose to pursue afterwards.”

Connie Ma ‘25, Women’s Tennis

“The resources provided by the Buck/Cardinal Club turned my dreams and aspirations into a reality. I always look for that extra 1% to improve my athletic performance and the Buck/Cardinal Club provided me with the resources to achieve new heights and have the mindset of a champion. Without your generosity, I would not be anywhere close to where I am today - a three-time team national champion, NCAA individual still rings champion, seven-time All-American and All-Academic scholar-athlete. I hope that while I train for Paris 2024, I can give back to Stanford for all that the Farm has given me.”

Riley Loos ‘23, Men’s Gymnastics

Make an Impact

SCHOLARSHIPS

TRAVEL

EQUIPMENT

ACADEMIC ADVISING

SPORTS PERFORMANCE

NUTRITION

“Volunteering for Stanford Athletics has enriched my life in so many ways. The merger of the Buck Club and Cardinal Club significantly increased support for our student-athletes and made the fund and community stronger together. Quality and excellence are what Stanford stands for and student-athletes represent that in the finest way. Enhancing and increasing the quality of the student-athlete experience is a winning formula, which the Buck/Cardinal Club has demonstrated over its 90-year history.”

Linda Meier '61, Buck/Cardinal Club Founding Member

“As we celebrate the Buck/Cardinal Club’s 90th anniversary, it is mind boggling to look back at where Stanford Athletics was 90 years ago, take note of where we are today, and imagine where things will evolve 90 years from now... in 2114! As college athletics continues to evolve, I take comfort in knowing that the Buck/Cardinal Club provides a consistent financing baseline and remains a bedrock for Stanford Athletics, which will provide for great student-athlete experiences now and into the future. Supporting the student-athlete experience at Stanford makes me feel like I’m contributing to a system and organization I believe in.”

Kit Rodgers BS '96 MS '98, Football

Become a Member!

Buck/Cardinal Club members enjoy various exclusive benefits outlined in the following chart. Celebrate Stanford Athletics and student-athletes with fellow Buck/Cardinal Club members by joining us at various events and gameday hospitalities throughout the year!

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Gameday & Tickets

Cheer on the Cardinal as a Buck/Cardinal Club member this season! Buck/Cardinal Club Priority Seating provides an opportunity for individuals to support all student-athletes, while taking advantage of favorable sight lines and exclusive member benefits—all while enjoying the best seats in Stanford Stadium and Maples Pavilion.

All gifts in the current fiscal year (September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024) can be applied to your 2024-2025 priority seat requirement. As a reminder, all priority seat contributions are not tax-deductible.

*Note: All Buck/Cardinal Club gifts not in conjunction with priority seats are still 100% tax-deductible.

*A Buck/Cardinal Club Priority Seat contribution covers the seat requirement for both football and men's basketball with the higher of the two per seat requirements determining the minimum contribution amount.

For more information on Buck/Cardinal Club priority seating, please contact Carter Magee at cmagee@stanford.edu or (650) 725-0408.

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