220 Quarterback Club gives a big assist to FAMU baseball
Membership in the 220 Quarterback Club has grown each year since its inception. The club recently donated $10,000 to the FAMU baseball program.
Photo courtesy of the 220 QB Club
By MarKeith Cromartie
Outlook Writer
When Eddie Jackson started the 220 Quarterback Club years ago, he did it with the purpose of just giving back to his alma mater. It evolved into something more.
The group of 35 to 50 members now gives money for academic and athletic scholarships. They’ve taken it up a notch.
Just a few weeks ago, the club made one of its biggest single donations ever of $10,000 to the baseball program. They raised the money using a concept that they’ve had in place from Day 1.
It’s a simple method. Each member pays a one-time fee of $220 and an additional $20 at their luncheon meeting, where they often have a guest speaker from the FAMU athletic department.
Over the past six years the 220 Quarterback Club has given over $50,000 to FAMU athletics.
The financial assist to the baseball program is earmarked for upgrades at Moore-Kittles Field, where the Rattlers play their home games.
“I would like to thank Eddie Jackson and The 220 Quarterback Club for their support not only with this donation but donations they have made in the past,” said coach Jamey Shouppe. “They saw a need and they addressed it.”
The growth of the club over time has made it easier to give as much as they gave to baseball in one donation, Jackson said.
“We just try to help in smaller areas where we can,” said Jackson. “It just grew from 15 to 20 people meeting for lunch every week to almost 50-plus members every week.”
The club’s giving doesn’t stop at academics and sports. In addition to giving $6,000 to the Marching 100 band they’ve donated thousands of dollars to organizations on campus.
“I didn’t think we would make it this far when we first started,” said Selvin Cobb, one of the founding members of the organization. “It started with us trying to give $500 a week to help the football team.
Members of the club who are mostly FAMU alums, said it’s not hard to give to the school they graduated from.
“I love FAMU, I’ve always loved FAMU,” said Jackie Bryant. “FAMU is in my heart and I will support the university in any aspect that I can.”
And, there is no letting up in their giving.
“I don’t see us stopping,” said Cobb. “This is something we plan on continuing. FAMU has a special place in my heart because they have done so much for me and my family.”
