LARAMIE, Wyo – The Cowboy Joe Club — the University of Wyoming's athletic fundraising arm — proudly announced today that four of the department's most influential leaders have added significant philanthropic commitments on top of their already substantial support for UW Athletics. Athletics Director Tom Burman, Head Women's Basketball Coach Heather Ezell, Head Football Coach Jay Sawvel, and Head Men's Basketball Coach Sundance Wicks have each signed five-year major gift pledges as members of the 7220 Society, the first-ever major gift society within Wyoming Athletics, which was launched in December 2024. Together, their contributions will add nearly $185,000 in new donations to the Cowboy Joe Club over the next five years.

"In today's rapidly evolving landscape of intercollegiate athletics, building a strong, sustainable pipeline of long-term giving is more critical than ever," said Derek Gossler, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development and Chief Revenue Officer. "These commitments help us strategically plan for the future and ensure that Wyoming Athletics can continue providing exceptional resources for our student-athletes. What makes this moment truly special is that it's our own leaders — Tom, Heather, Jay, and Sundance — who are setting the example. Their belief in our vision and willingness to personally invest speaks volumes. We're deeply grateful for their leadership and generosity, as well as for the 73 others who have joined the 7220 Society with five-year pledges."

The 7220 Society is a first of its kind giving society within the Cowboy Joe Club. It gives supporters the opportunity to enhance their giving legacy by making a long-term commitment to the Cowboy Joe Club. By pledging to contribute at the cash level of $7,220 or above per year for five years, a donor will join the ranks of the 7220 Society, signifying a top-level commitment to UW Athletics.

"I'm excited to make this commitment to the 7220 Society, and grateful to Heather, Jay, and Sundance for their willingness to lead from the front," said Burman. "I would also like to thank the more than 70 others who have signed five-year pledges to join the 7220 Society. These long-term commitments are essential to the success of our athletics department and our student-athletes."
In addition to Burman, Ezell, Sawvel, and Wicks, 73 other individuals and organizations have joined the 7220 Society in recent months. In total, nearly $5.3 million has been committed via those commitments, nearly all of which from donors who had never contributed a major gift ($25,000+) to the University of Wyoming prior to joining the 7220 Society.

Of the 77 total commitments to the society, 53 (69%) include a gift commitment above the required level of $36,100 ($7,220 per year for five years), with 17 contributions being more than $50,000.

"As the head football coach at the University of Wyoming I'm not only excited to support Cowboy Football, but all of Wyoming Athletics," said Sawvel. "The 7220 Society is a great opportunity to both give back and look to the future."

"When it comes to the 7220 Society, I think people see that it is a long-term commitment to our institution," offered Wicks. "It is important to know that we are Riding for the Brand. It's not about monetary donation; it is about the connection to the community that makes Wyoming special. We need everyone to rally around the 7220 Society."

"It is so important to give back to something that means so much to our athletics department and student-athletes for the next generations of Cowboys and Cowgirls," said Ezell. "I was a student-athlete, and I know how much it means to be able to give back to something so special."

Burman, Ezell, Sawvel, and Wicks are joined in their incredible impact by these additional 7220 Society members:

Alan "Gene" Humphrey - Laramie, WY
Anonymous - Fort Collins, CO
Anonymous - Fort Collins, CO
Anonymous - Casper, WY
Anthony and Jennifer Kirchhoefer - Laramie, WY
Arthur-Rydalch Foundation (Daniel and Kristi Schwab - Trustees) - Afton, WY
Bill and Victoria Scarlett - Jackson, WY
Blake and Julie Fisher - Castle Rock, CO
Blue Federal Credit Union - Cheyenne, WY
Bostrom Enterprises - Worland, WY
Brian and Julie Claydon - Eagle, CO
Brown and Gold Outlet - Matt and Nicole Lehning - Laramie, WY
Bryan and Dee Mooney - Boise, ID
Bryan and Michelle Bulawa - Timnath, CO
Charles and Lynn Van Over - Rock Springs, WY
Charles and Sarah Chase - Thornton, CO
Cowboy State Surgical - Brian and Heather Feraud - Casper, WY
Crum Electric Supply Co. - Casper, WY
Dale and Paula Strickland - Cheyenne, WY
Dave and Kelly Dunham - Sheridan, WY
Dave Bonner - Powell, WY
Dave Foreman - Cheyenne, WY
David Walrath - Laramie, WY
Dr. Byron and Allison Killpack - Laramie, WY
Ed and Katie Telgenhoff - Denver, CO
First State Bank - Wheatland, WY
Frank and Barbara Mendicino - Westminster, CO
Gail Construction - Jim Talich - Cody, WY
Galand and Gretchen Thaxton - Laramie, WY
Gary and Lois Crum - Laramie, WY
Gary and Pat Hutton - Littleton, CO
Greg and Marla Norman - Cheyenne, WY
Howard and Peggy Strand - Littleton, CO
J.R. Simplot Company - Rock Springs, WY
Jason and Melissa Edwards - Livermore, CO
Jerry, Kathy, JT, and Haley Walsh - Laramie, WY
Jim and Carol Linton - Jackson, WY
Jim and Vaso Anest - Parker, CO
John and Jenni Stark - Laramie, WY
John and Lori Easterbrook - Plano, TX
John McBride - Cheyenne, WY
John R. and Denise Green - Cheyenne, WY
Jonathan Downing - Cheyenne, WY
Joseph and Susan Steiner - Laramie, WY
JP Ortho - Joseph Paumer - Laramie, WY
Justin and Kara Fornstrom - Pine Bluffs, WY
Kathleen Hagen - Reno, NV
Kevin and Jennifer Yeend - Laramie, WY
Kudar Enterprises - Jackson, WY
Larry and Patty Krause - Riverton, WY
Larry and Peg Smith - Gillette, WY
Lee and Cari Igo - Douglas, WY
Lyman and Margie McDonald - Laramie, WY
Pat Malicki and Mary Shafer-Malicki - Denver, CO
Quality IV Care - Laramie, WY
Rajeev and Jennifer Patel - Laramie, WY
Richard and Kim Gasser - Midland, TX
Robin D. and Mihaela Rogers - Tuscaloosa, AL
Rod and Angela Biggs - Gillette, WY
Ron and Molly Ketelsen - Salt Lake City, UT
Scott and Amanda Neal - Buffalo, WY
Scott and Heather Neu - Atlanta, GA
Steve and Margy Baribeau - Sheridan, WY
Tad and Ann Herz - Denver, CO
Terry and Cory Moss - Laramie, WY
Ticket Solutions - Overland Park, KS
Tim and Lisa Gabel - Mebane, NC
Tom and Monica Taylor - Colleyville, TX
Tom and Gayle Walsh - Fort Collins, CO
Tracy Richardson - Laramie, WY
UniWyo Credit Union - Laramie, WU
Wound Care of Wyoming - Christina Laird-Rogers and Jon Rogers - Casper, WY
Wyoming Sports Properties - Laramie, WY
 
For more information about the 7220 Society and how to become a member, please visit the following resources, or contact a Cowboy Joe Club Representative:
7220 Society Web Page

Derek Gossler – Senior Associate AD for Development/CRO
Phone: 253-226-7831                 Email: Dgossler@uwyo.edu
 
Alex Jewell – Assistant AD for Development
Phone: 989-708-9230                 Email: Ajewell3@uwyo.edu
 
Kade Russow – Director of Development – Donor Relations
Phone: 307-766-3777                 Email: Krussow1@uwyo.edu
 
Juan Soto – Director of Development and Premium Seating
Phone: 307-766-6206                 Email: Jsoto1@uwyo.edu