Quick Read

  • Chase Fisher, SDSU alumnus and Blenders Eyewear founder, pledged $5 million to Aztec men’s basketball.
  • The gift will support recruitment and retention as SDSU prepares to join the Pac-12 Conference in 2026.
  • SDSU men’s basketball has reached the NCAA Tournament for five consecutive years, including a national championship appearance in 2023.
  • Fisher’s support fund responds to the evolving NIL landscape, enabling athletes to benefit from their own brands.
  • University leadership calls the gift transformative for both athletics and athlete development.

San Diego State University’s men’s basketball program is at a pivotal crossroads—a moment shaped not only by athletic ambition but by a record-setting $5 million gift from alumnus Chase Fisher. The timing is as strategic as it is symbolic, coming just as the Aztecs prepare for their final year in the Mountain West and look ahead to their highly anticipated move into the Pac-12 Conference in 2026.

Alumnus Chase Fisher’s Vision: Beyond the Court

Chase Fisher, SDSU class of 2010 and founder of Blenders Eyewear, isn’t just giving back—he’s investing in a legacy. His five-year pledge is more than a sum; it’s a blueprint for the future of SDSU basketball. “What makes this moment special isn’t the size of the gift, it’s the story behind it,” Fisher told SDSU News, reflecting on his journey from surf coach to entrepreneur. This story is rooted in resilience: Fisher started Blenders Eyewear with just $2,000 borrowed from a roommate and built it into a global brand, eventually partnering with Safilo Group in 2019. His entrepreneurial spirit mirrors the ambitions he now hopes to foster within SDSU’s athletes—not only to build winning teams, but to nurture leaders who can build their own brands, businesses, and futures.

Fisher’s previous support for SDSU athletics totaled $275,000, but this new gift establishes the Chase Fisher Athletics Support Fund, designed to enhance recruitment and retention in the competitive landscape of collegiate sports. The fund is a timely response to the evolving dynamics of college basketball, particularly the rise of the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era, which allows athletes to benefit directly from their personal brands.

Competitive Edge: Recruitment and Retention in the NIL Era

As college sports enter an era where flexible funding and competitive revenue-sharing are essential, Fisher’s gift is being hailed as transformative. SDSU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics JD Wicker described it as “a transformative moment for our Men’s Basketball program,” emphasizing that sustained funding is now vital for attracting and retaining elite talent. Head Coach Brian Dutcher echoed this, stating, “Chase isn’t in this to play the game, he wants to change the game, and this extraordinary gift helps us establish a new standard of excellence.”

The gift arrives as SDSU prepares to transition into the Pac-12, a move that brings heightened competition and visibility. For the Aztecs, who reached the NCAA Tournament in each of the past five seasons and made their first national championship appearance in 2023, the stakes have never been higher. The program has dominated the Mountain West Conference, with nine regular season titles and seven tournament championships—more than any other team. However, the Pac-12 will demand even more in terms of recruitment, player development, and retention.

Academic Excellence and Athlete Development

While the focus is often on victories and tournament runs, SDSU’s men’s basketball program has also made strides academically. In 2025, four players were named Mountain West Scholar-Athletes, each maintaining a GPA of 3.50 or higher—a testament to the university’s commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes. This academic achievement aligns with Fisher’s vision for athletes who are prepared to succeed both on and off the court.

The university’s leadership recognizes the broader impact of Fisher’s gift. SDSU President Adela de la Torre called it “a transformative investment in SDSU Men’s Basketball and a powerful reflection of the bold, entrepreneurial spirit that defines our university.” She believes this landmark contribution will elevate the university’s ability to recruit, develop, and retain exceptional student-athletes, especially as SDSU steps onto the national stage in the Pac-12.

Entrepreneurship, Community, and Social Impact

Fisher’s connection to SDSU runs deep. He regularly returns to campus to speak at events like the SDSU ZIP Launchpad’s “Startup Stories,” where he shares lessons learned from building Blenders Eyewear. His company’s recent collaboration with Deion Sanders, launching the PRIME21 MOD sunglasses line, underscores his commitment to social impact: all profits support breast cancer prevention and education through the Keep A Breast Foundation.

Through these initiatives, Fisher’s story has become part of the fabric of SDSU’s culture—an example for athletes aspiring to create their own paths. “I want SDSU to become the school where athletes learn how to build, not just plays, but personal brands, businesses, and futures,” he says. It’s a vision that resonates with the university’s motto: “life in forward motion.”

The Road Ahead: Pac-12 Ambitions and Challenges

As SDSU prepares for its last year in the Mountain West, the men’s basketball team faces both opportunities and challenges. The move to the Pac-12 will test the program’s ability to compete at a higher level, but with new funding and a clear vision, the Aztecs are better positioned to attract top recruits and retain key players. Fisher’s gift provides the resources necessary to compete for the nation’s best talent, ensuring SDSU’s place at the forefront of collegiate basketball.

Recruitment, retention, and athlete development will remain central as the Aztecs make this leap. The support fund, established by Fisher, will not only benefit current players but also lay the groundwork for future generations. The university’s leadership and coaching staff are united in their belief that this investment will help SDSU set a new standard of excellence, both on the court and in the broader world of collegiate sports.

Chase Fisher’s $5 million gift arrives at a critical juncture for SDSU men’s basketball, blending entrepreneurial spirit with athletic ambition. As the Aztecs transition into the Pac-12, this transformative investment sets the stage for both immediate impact and long-term legacy, reinforcing SDSU’s position as a leader in collegiate sports innovation.