Lehigh University Athletics
2026 Giving Day + March Mania Provides Outstanding Support For Lehigh Athletics
3/26/2026 6:00:00 PM | Athletics, Support
The 2026 edition of Giving Day + March Mania proved to be a success. The third-year combined giving challenge that saw Lehigh Athletics collaborate with Lehigh Development and Alumni Relations, Giving Day + March Mania resulted in another year of outstanding support for the Athletics Department. Early results indicate the combined challenge generated more than $3 million from more than 4,700 donors, while Athletics & Campus Recreation collectively raised $1,751,192 from 2,757 donors from 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25. Athletics' portion of Giving Day + March Mania surpassed its $1.5 million goal and nearly matched the total amount raised last year.
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"The incredible energy and generosity displayed by the Lehigh community during this year's Giving Day + March Mania has been inspiring," said Lehigh's Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics Jeremy Gibson. "In surpassing our fundraising goals, you have sent a powerful message of belief in our student-athletes and our mission. These vital resources will directly impact all 26 of our varsity teams and bolster the Dean's Fund for Athletics Excellence, ensuring we continue to provide a national model for holistic, competitive, and student-centered athletics. Thank you for your relentless support and for being such a critical part of the team behind our teams. Go Lehigh!"
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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 Cross Country and Track & Field had the most donors!
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Highest alumni participation rate by sport unlocks –
1st – Women's Soccer - $3,000
2nd – Women's Basketball - $2,500
3rd – Softball - $2,000
4th – Men's Lacrosse - $1,500
5th – Men's Wrestling - $1,000
Sport with the most overall dollars unlocks - $1,000 – Football
Sport with the most overall donors unlocks - $1,000 – Cross Country and Track & Field
Total Prize Money - $12,000
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Lehigh Athletics would also like to recognize and offer special thanks to our challenge donors whose generous support of matching gifts significantly impacted our success! Those challengers include: Mike Butz '94, Jon Guynes '05, Lance Haynes '94, Hector Martinez '95, John Shigo '88, Perry Smith '87, Ted Smith '08, Jeff Frase '90 P'12 P'17, Chris Hite '89 P'20 P'24, John Masonis '89, Mark McGowan '89, Mike Walsh '90 P'12 P'17, Bill Ribbecke '98, Kristi Campbell Ribbecke '99, Justina Barone Lambert '03, Chris Lambert '03, Steve Shafer P'27, Cynthia Shafer P'27, Tim Abbott '91 P'23, Julia Washburn '18 & Family, Liz Hainey '83, Susan Sachs '77, Kevin Clayton '84 P'13, Lisa Clayton P'13, Tom Vogelsong '76, Vince Volpe '80, Joe Verdi '07, Rob Esposito '95, Bill White '72 G'82, Lehigh Women's Soccer Leadership Council, Anne Tierney '03, MS'04, Troy List'11, Howard Polsky '73, Ira Feinberg '69 P'03 P19, Eric Brown '91 in honor of Richard J. Brown '59, Peter Housman '73, Jeff Bosland '88 P'23, Cliff Chapman '91, Jeff Newman '83, and Jim Reilly '84 MBA'88, William Altenpohl '74, Paul Barnes '76 G'77, Bruce Crystal '77 P'03, Rich deMoll '72, Bryan Dunn '74, Ollie Foucek '72 P'05 P'09, Mike Kane '77, Robert Saydah '74 G'75, Paul Sturz '73, David Varrelman '78 M'81 P'10, Mac Purvis Jr. '77, Livia Amado '10, and several generous anonymous donors!
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Giving Day + March Mania may be over, but you can still support Lehigh Athletics. Lehigh's fiscal year ends June 30.Â
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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"The incredible energy and generosity displayed by the Lehigh community during this year's Giving Day + March Mania has been inspiring," said Lehigh's Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics Jeremy Gibson. "In surpassing our fundraising goals, you have sent a powerful message of belief in our student-athletes and our mission. These vital resources will directly impact all 26 of our varsity teams and bolster the Dean's Fund for Athletics Excellence, ensuring we continue to provide a national model for holistic, competitive, and student-centered athletics. Thank you for your relentless support and for being such a critical part of the team behind our teams. Go Lehigh!"
Â
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 Cross Country and Track & Field had the most donors!
Â
Highest alumni participation rate by sport unlocks –
1st – Women's Soccer - $3,000
2nd – Women's Basketball - $2,500
3rd – Softball - $2,000
4th – Men's Lacrosse - $1,500
5th – Men's Wrestling - $1,000
Sport with the most overall dollars unlocks - $1,000 – Football
Sport with the most overall donors unlocks - $1,000 – Cross Country and Track & Field
Total Prize Money - $12,000
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Lehigh Athletics would also like to recognize and offer special thanks to our challenge donors whose generous support of matching gifts significantly impacted our success! Those challengers include: Mike Butz '94, Jon Guynes '05, Lance Haynes '94, Hector Martinez '95, John Shigo '88, Perry Smith '87, Ted Smith '08, Jeff Frase '90 P'12 P'17, Chris Hite '89 P'20 P'24, John Masonis '89, Mark McGowan '89, Mike Walsh '90 P'12 P'17, Bill Ribbecke '98, Kristi Campbell Ribbecke '99, Justina Barone Lambert '03, Chris Lambert '03, Steve Shafer P'27, Cynthia Shafer P'27, Tim Abbott '91 P'23, Julia Washburn '18 & Family, Liz Hainey '83, Susan Sachs '77, Kevin Clayton '84 P'13, Lisa Clayton P'13, Tom Vogelsong '76, Vince Volpe '80, Joe Verdi '07, Rob Esposito '95, Bill White '72 G'82, Lehigh Women's Soccer Leadership Council, Anne Tierney '03, MS'04, Troy List'11, Howard Polsky '73, Ira Feinberg '69 P'03 P19, Eric Brown '91 in honor of Richard J. Brown '59, Peter Housman '73, Jeff Bosland '88 P'23, Cliff Chapman '91, Jeff Newman '83, and Jim Reilly '84 MBA'88, William Altenpohl '74, Paul Barnes '76 G'77, Bruce Crystal '77 P'03, Rich deMoll '72, Bryan Dunn '74, Ollie Foucek '72 P'05 P'09, Mike Kane '77, Robert Saydah '74 G'75, Paul Sturz '73, David Varrelman '78 M'81 P'10, Mac Purvis Jr. '77, Livia Amado '10, and several generous anonymous donors!
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Giving Day + March Mania may be over, but you can still support Lehigh Athletics. Lehigh's fiscal year ends June 30.Â
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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2026 GD+MM Thank You
Thursday, March 26
Undergraduate Commencement
Sunday, May 18
Graduate Commencement & Doctoral Hooding
Saturday, May 17
Commencement - Undergraduate Degrees
Sunday, May 19
