Pat Rodgers remembers it very well. It was the mid-80’s and she had just been named to the Charlotte 49ers Athletic Foundation Board of Directors. Jim Leavelle was the chair at the time and he told her, "This will not be the last board you serve on as you move on, but it will be the most fun board you will ever be on."

Pat Rodgers had fun on the board, worked with an impressive array of individuals and gained a great deal of satisfaction from the work being done. And she’s been involved with the 49ers ever since.

"My involvement helped open doors because you can meet members of the corporate world in an informal way who are interested in athletics and interested in the university. I found out very quickly how the community is very engaged with the university," Rodgers admitted, "but I got a lot of fun out of it and a lot of satisfaction from helping student-athletes who went on to do great things in their careers."

An accomplished businessperson, Rodgers, who is President and CEO of Rodgers Builders in Charlotte, was named Businessperson of the Year by the Business Journal in 2005. She has taken that expertise and helped the 49ers with several large projects. She chaired the 3rd Annual "Let Me Play" Luncheon, which raised a record $101,000 for the 49ers women’s athletics program, chaired the fundraising campaign for the $6,000,000 Miltimore-Wallis Athletics Training & Academic Center and helped raise money for the university’s Belk Track and Field Center.

"Pat has been involved with the Athletic program for a very long time," said 49ers Director of Athletic Judy Rose. "When first asked to be a member of the Athletic Foundation Board, she readily accepted and either Pat or a representative from Rodgers Builders has served on our Board ever since. That alone speaks volumes for the value she places on intercollegiate athletics. She has chaired several fundraising initiatives on special projects and needless to say, all were extremely successful!"

And, needless to say, Pat has been happy to lend a helping hand.

"The quality of the program that Jeff Mullins had and that Judy has carried on (keeps me involved). I stay involved with UNC Charlotte because of the quality of the program and the quality of the people," Rodgers said. "The roots are solid and deep and far-reaching."

And that is a very good thing for the 49ers. Rodgers and commmunity leaders like her have embraced the university and the athletics program. The growth of the 49ers program, which has included over $45 million of facility upgrades and construction over the last 15 years, has been a direct result of individuals like Pat, who look at the university and see the great value it has for the community.

"I’m confident that we will have enriched the future leaders in our country and our community," Rodgers said. "On a personal side, I have grandchildren who have attended camps, so the university has enriched their lives and added athletics to their lives. On the professional side, we employ 400 people and many of those folks are graduates. For me, when people mention ‘the university’ it will always mean, UNC Charlotte."

And so, Rodgers happily gives back in a very real way. By participating on boards, chairing committees and spearheading fundraising events such as the "Let Me Play" Luncheon in November, Rodgers has a direct impact on the life and growth of the 49ers’ athletic department.

"(The "Let Me Play" event) is to raise visibility and awareness of women’s athletics," Rose added. "Under Pat’s leadership we raised a record $101,000, our attendance soared and participants raved about the program. She is a valued friend of the Charlotte 49ers."

"I had so much fun being on that board because the individuals are so much fun. And I still see people (from the board) who have stayed involved. The people involved are all working on the same mission, the same purpose. They have such a passion for it. They want to reach out and help anyone they can."

With the help of individuals like Pat Rodgers, the Athletic Foundation is able to reach out to more and more people every year. And, have a little fun while doing it.