农夫导航鈥檚 inaugural was a resounding success, with $120,195 given from Nov. 15-19, in support of the Knights Athletics Fund and individual teams.
The campaign had a goal of raising $71,000 in honor of the Bellarmine鈥檚 71st year as an institution but crushed that goal within 36 hours and finished as one of the most successful campaigns in Athletics鈥� history. Bellarmine received gifts from 417 individual supporters, including, notably, a record number of current students and parents.
鈥淭he support shown to Bellarmine鈥檚 student-athletes during the Champion the Knights campaign has been tremendous,鈥� Director of Athletics Scott Wiegandt said. 鈥淥n behalf of the entire athletics staff and our student-athletes, I would like to thank the University community and all the donors who have championed the cause of Bellarmine Athletics. I know it means a lot to the student-athletes to see how much they are supported. Financial support is vital in helping us compete for championships.鈥�
The campaign was created to give Athletics more time and opportunity to raise needed funds outside of Bellarmine鈥檚 annual Day of Giving in April. The gifts will directly support student-athletes and the University鈥檚 strategic move to NCAA Division I.
The recent move to D-I enables student-athletes to compete at the highest level of collegiate competition and raises the University鈥檚 profile to larger regional and national audiences. In the first year of D-I play, the Knights were named the academic champions of the ASUN Conference.
The move to D-I has associated costs, and this campaign, along with other strategic fundraising efforts, are addressing them.
The men鈥檚 basketball team raised the most funds, with $23,160 from 15 supporters.
鈥淭hank you to all who contributed this year to the Athletics鈥� Week of Giving,鈥� said Matt Ury, a lacrosse player. 鈥淲e are so fortunate because of all of you. None of this would be possible without you. You allow us to play the sports we love. Swords up!鈥�
Madison DeVillez, a player on the women鈥檚 tennis team, was equally grateful.
鈥淭hank you so much for your kindness and generosity,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e sincerely appreciate your support in helping us reach our goal as a team and as a school.鈥�
to see more pictures from last week鈥檚 campaign kickoff on campus.