Fundraising reached all-time highs in the athletic department, as annual gifts broke the $6 million mark for the first time in school history. In 2011, over $10.5 million in financial gifts were received by the athletic department. During his tenure, SMU opened a $13 million basketball practice facility in February 2008 and a tennis stadium in the same year. Various major upgrades to existing facilities were completed while Vaught served at SMU.