Giving Day + March Mania Combined Challenge Results In Record-Setting Support For Athletics
3/28/2024 12:56:00 PM | Athletics, Support
Giving Day + March Mania proved to be a record-breaking success. The inaugural combined giving challenge that saw Lehigh Athletics collaborate with Lehigh Development and Alumni Relations resulted in another year of record-setting support for the Athletics Department. The combined challenge generated over $2 million from more than 3,700 donors, while Athletics & Campus Athletics collectively raised $1,459,764 from 2,301donors from 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26, through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27. Athletics' portion of Giving Day + March Mania surpassed last year's totals by 33 percent. The number of donors to athletics increased by 21 percent over last year's campaign.
"The results of our first ever Giving Day + March Mania are humbling and inspiring! Thanks to all who participated and especially those who engaged in challenges or matches! The increase in participation and in dollars raised, along with the messages and reasons shared by alums, families and friends for their gifts have affirmed for our coaches, staff and current athletes the special qualities of the Lehigh Athletics family. We accept this extraordinary demonstration of support with a strong sense of obligation to deliver the best possible experience for our athletes and higher levels of competitive success for our teams." Joe Sterrett '76, '78G, Murray H. Goodman '48 Dean of Athletics.
This year's competition among sports alumni groups returned, with the top five sports alumni bodies earning extra funds for their programs. Women's Soccer had the highest alumni participation among the athletics department. In addition, the team with the most dollars, and the team with the most donors earned extra funds for their respective programs. This year, Football had the most dollars and most donors!
Highest alumni participation rate by sport unlocks -
1st – Women's Soccer - $3,000
2nd – Women's Basketball - $2,500
3rd – Women's Golf - $2,000
4th – Softball - $1,500
5th – Field Hockey - $1,000
Sport with the most overall dollars unlocks - $1,000 – Football
Sport with the most overall donors unlocks - $1,000 – Football
Total Prize Money - $12,000
Lehigh Athletics would also like to recognize and offer special thanks to our challengers whose generous support of matching gifts significantly impacted our success! those challengers include: Kevin '84, '13P & Lisa Clayton '13P, Laura D'Orsi '87, '27P, Susan Sachs '77, Suzanne Matarazzo '99, Lauren Dykstra '11, Mac Purvis Jr. '77, Shannon Doherty Portell '01, Kerry O'Hearen '88, Donna '97 and Doug Yates '97, Vince Volpe '80, Robert Esposito '95, Joe Verdi '07, Eric Brown '91, Mike Butz '94, Randy Williams '93, Hector Martinez '95, Ted Smith '08, Jay Canell '89, Neil Canell '89, Paul Barnes'76, Rich deMoll '72, Bryan Dunn '74, Ollie Foucek '72, Paul Schmitt '74, Dave Thomson '83, and several generous anonymous donors! Nearly $500,000 of additional funding unlocked! This is $200,000 more than the previous year.
Giving Day + March Mania may be over, but you can still support Lehigh Athletics. Lehigh's fiscal year ends June 30.
Click HERE to make a gift, or mail any donations to:
Lehigh University Athletics
Attention – Lisa Landis
641 Taylor Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015
**Remember to make your check payable to "Lehigh University" and include the sports program and/or The Dean's Fund for Athletics Excellence on the memo line of the check.
"The results of our first ever Giving Day + March Mania are humbling and inspiring! Thanks to all who participated and especially those who engaged in challenges or matches! The increase in participation and in dollars raised, along with the messages and reasons shared by alums, families and friends for their gifts have affirmed for our coaches, staff and current athletes the special qualities of the Lehigh Athletics family. We accept this extraordinary demonstration of support with a strong sense of obligation to deliver the best possible experience for our athletes and higher levels of competitive success for our teams." Joe Sterrett '76, '78G, Murray H. Goodman '48 Dean of Athletics.
This year's competition among sports alumni groups returned, with the top five sports alumni bodies earning extra funds for their programs. Women's Soccer had the highest alumni participation among the athletics department. In addition, the team with the most dollars, and the team with the most donors earned extra funds for their respective programs. This year, Football had the most dollars and most donors!
Highest alumni participation rate by sport unlocks -
1st – Women's Soccer - $3,000
2nd – Women's Basketball - $2,500
3rd – Women's Golf - $2,000
4th – Softball - $1,500
5th – Field Hockey - $1,000
Sport with the most overall dollars unlocks - $1,000 – Football
Sport with the most overall donors unlocks - $1,000 – Football
Total Prize Money - $12,000
Lehigh Athletics would also like to recognize and offer special thanks to our challengers whose generous support of matching gifts significantly impacted our success! those challengers include: Kevin '84, '13P & Lisa Clayton '13P, Laura D'Orsi '87, '27P, Susan Sachs '77, Suzanne Matarazzo '99, Lauren Dykstra '11, Mac Purvis Jr. '77, Shannon Doherty Portell '01, Kerry O'Hearen '88, Donna '97 and Doug Yates '97, Vince Volpe '80, Robert Esposito '95, Joe Verdi '07, Eric Brown '91, Mike Butz '94, Randy Williams '93, Hector Martinez '95, Ted Smith '08, Jay Canell '89, Neil Canell '89, Paul Barnes'76, Rich deMoll '72, Bryan Dunn '74, Ollie Foucek '72, Paul Schmitt '74, Dave Thomson '83, and several generous anonymous donors! Nearly $500,000 of additional funding unlocked! This is $200,000 more than the previous year.
Giving Day + March Mania may be over, but you can still support Lehigh Athletics. Lehigh's fiscal year ends June 30.
Click HERE to make a gift, or mail any donations to:
Lehigh University Athletics
Attention – Lisa Landis
641 Taylor Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015
**Remember to make your check payable to "Lehigh University" and include the sports program and/or The Dean's Fund for Athletics Excellence on the memo line of the check.
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