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Fresno State announces Valley Co-Op & $1 million gift

FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State Athletics and the Bulldog Foundation announced Friday the commitment of a $1 million gift from the Diamond Learning Center and Jami Hamel DeLaCerda. The donation will directly support football operational needs, ensuring the development, retention, and recruitment of football student-athletes at Fresno State.

"This is about empowering our coaches and student-athletes with the tools to compete and win—not just today, but for years to come," said Garrett Klassy, Director of Athletics. "Jami's gift is transformational. It embodies everything we believe in at Fresno State—community, grit, and belief in something bigger than yourself. It kickstarts a bold new era for Bulldog Athletics."

The gift from Hamel DeLaCerda marks the largest single gift by a woman in Fresno State Athletics history, setting the tone for future philanthropic leadership across the Valley.

Hamel DeLaCerda is the founder and President of Fresno's Diamond Learning Center, which recently opened a newly expanded 60,000-square-foot facility in Clovis. The center is a groundbreaking space for individuals with intellectual disabilities—a mission rooted in compassion, lifelong learning, and empowerment.

"We believe so much in creating partnerships with our community, in turn we all benefit" said DeLaCerda. "The Diamond Learning Center is a lifelong learning environment where we embrace who you are, where you are. The goal is a productive and safe adult life."

Her passion for the Central Valley and Fresno State is deeply personal. A first-generation graduate of Fresno State and former bowling team member, Jami worked on campus as a student to fund the club program.

"With Fresno State Football, I see that as its own community," added Hamel DeLaCerda. "We are creating young men who are seeing their future past football. Not everyone will make it into the NFL, but every one of them will be a father, a husband, a friend. We're proud to help shape that journey."

The Diamond Learning Center is a mission of love and lifelong empowerment for Hamel DeLaCerda.

"You can't do this kind of stuff alone. But when you share a mission, you can't help but be successful."

That same spirit of shared vision and collaboration is now launching Fresno State's newest initiative: The Valley Co-Op: Born, Bred, Built to Win.

The Valley Co-Op is a coach-led giving model rooted in the agricultural values of the Central Valley—shared investment, shared responsibility, and shared success. Just like farmers join forces to lift each other up, the Valley Co-Op unites the Red Wave to help coaches invest in the recruitment, development, and retention of student-athletes.

"Just like a Valley co-op, every size of crop, harvest, and farm matters," said Garrett Klassy, Director of Athletics. "This fund isn't just for major gifts, it's about everyone doing their part, big or small, to keep Fresno State competitive. When the Red Wave rallies together, we can grow something powerful."

"This isn't just about dollars. It's about belief," added Tyler Mariucci, Senior Associate AD for the Bulldog Foundation. "Jami's $1 million gift has already helped us unlock an additional $400,000 in matching gifts and now we're inviting every Bulldog in the Valley to do their part."

To learn more or make your gift to the Valley Co‑Op, visit www.bulldogfoundation.org/valleyco.


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