$5 million gift ‘a transformative moment’ for Aztec men’s basketball
The five-year pledge from alumnus and eyewear entrepreneur Chase Fisher will support recruitment and retention of top players.
Chase Fisher, a 2010 alumnus of San Diego State University and founder of Blenders Eyewear, has pledged a $5 million gift to the Aztec men’s basketball program to support recruitment and retention as it prepares for a 2026 move into the Pac-12.
Announced today, the five-year gift to the SDSU MESA men’s basketball recruitment and retention fund follows $275,000 in previous philanthropy from Blenders to support SDSU athletics.
Fisher characterized his support as a reflection of his time and experiences at SDSU.
“What makes this moment special isn’t the size of the gift, it’s the story behind it,” Fisher said. “Every dollar represents lessons, losses, and late nights that started right here.”
The new gift establishes the Chase Fisher Athletics Support Fund, enhancing the resources necessary to compete for the nation's best talent in today’s NIL era, which allows athletes to benefit directly from their name, image or likeness.
"This incredible $5 million commitment is a transformative moment for our Men's Basketball program,” said SDSU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics JD Wicker. “In today's highly competitive collegiate landscape, where recruitment and retention resources are more vital than ever, this gift provides the flexible, sustained funding we need.”
Expressing his “deepest thanks for this game-changing donation,” Men’s Basketball Head Coach Brian Dutcher said: “Competitive revenue-sharing is essential to attracting and retaining elite talent. 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.”
With the motto “life in forward motion,” Fisher founded his beach-oriented sunglasses company in 2012 now known for its distinctively affordable designer eyewear (some styles selling for as little as $49.
“When I started Blenders, I didn’t have a blueprint. I built one,” Fisher said. “My goal is for SDSU to become that blueprint for future athletes who want to build something of their own.
“I want SDSU to become the school where athletes learn how to build, not just plays, but personal brands, businesses, and futures.”
Fisher graduated with a bachelor of arts in communication from the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts.
Modest beginnings
He was working as a surf coach when he founded his company with $2,000 borrowed from a roommate; it has since added snow goggles to its product line. In 2019, international eyewear company Safilo Group acquired a 70% stake in Blenders.
Since then Fisher has kept close ties between Blenders Eyewear and SDSU. Fisher discussed the process of launching his company in a visit to campus in September 2024 for SDSU ZIP Launchpad’s “Startup Stories” series.
Last week, Blenders announced a new, limited-edition product line of sunglasses, PRIME21 MOD in partnership with Deion Sanders, from which 100% of the profit on every pair sold will support breast cancer prevention and education programs through the Keep A Breast Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Yucca Valley, California.
Men’s basketball at SDSU has reached the NCAA Tournament in each of the past five seasons. In 2023, the Aztecs played in the national championship game for the first time in program history.
Now bound for the Pac-12 Conference, 2025-26 marks the program’s final year in the Mountain West Conference, where it has won nine regular season titles and seven conference tournament championships, more than any other team. In 2025, four men’s basketball players were named Mountain West Scholar-Athletes, requiring a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher.
“Chase Fisher’s extraordinary gift is a transformative investment in SDSU Men’s Basketball and a powerful reflection of the bold, entrepreneurial spirit that defines our university,” said SDSU President Adela de la Torre. “Much like his journey as the visionary founder of Blenders Eyewear, this commitment mirrors the innovation, pride, and forward-thinking leadership that propels SDSU into the future —especially as we prepare to enter the Pac-12.”
“This landmark contribution comes at a defining moment in our history,” de la Torre added. “We are profoundly grateful to Chase for his generosity and belief in our mission. His support will elevate our ability to recruit, develop, and retain exceptional student-athletes who embody the excellence and energy of SDSU on the national stage.”
