NORMAL, Ill. – Over 1,000 donors participated in the third-annual Support Your Sport Challenge, a six-day campaign that took place from December 5-10, raising $160,000 for Illinois State Athletics programs. This number surpassed the past two campaigns, when ISU raised $41,000 (2020) and $105,000 (2021).
Fans, family, friends, staff and alumni were encouraged to donate in support of ISU's 15 athletics program. The fundraising competition awarded two $1,000 prizes to the teams with the most donors and most dollars raised. 1,153 donations were made, with gifts ranging in size from $5-$7,000, and included 17 challenge gifts and 22 donations from ISU Athletics staff members.
Softball won the two $1,000 first-place prizes with 247 total donors and $39,584 raised.
"We are so incredibly grateful for everyone who donated and supported our program during the Support Your Sport campaign," commented Head Softball Coach, Tina Kramos. "Every donation is going to go towards enhancing our student-athlete experience at Illinois State and we wouldn't be the programs we are today without this kind of support. From Redbird Softball, thank you all so much!"
Gifts made during the week will be used for enhancements above and beyond ISU's sports team's normal operating budget. Gifts assist with the following areas: equipment, training trips, nutrition/meals, mental health, recruiting and supplemental needs of the programs.
"I would like to thank our donors, coaches, staff and student-athletes for their hard work and generosity. Every day we are building momentum at ISU, and this is just another example," ISU Director of Athletics Kyle Brennan said.
If you missed out on the Support Your Sport, there's still time to make a gift. Although the competition is complete, we will continue to tally final donations as gifts are received. To make a gift to your favorite Redbird team, please call Aidan Hartman at (309) 438-2753.
The final standings for the remaining sports are:
Most Dollars Raised
1. Softball
2. Volleyball
3. Men's Golf
4. Men's Basketball
5. Women's Basketball
6. Gymnastics
7. Football
8. Soccer
9. Women's Golf
10. Baseball
11. Cheerleading
12. Swim and Dive
13. Women's Tennis
14. Track & Field
15. Men's Tennis
Highest Number of Donors
1. Softball
2. Cheerleading
3. Gymnastics
4. Volleyball
5. Women's Basketball
6. Soccer
7. Swim & Dive
8. Women's Golf
9. Women's Tennis
10. M Golf
11. Baseball
12. Men's Tennis
13. Men's Basketball
14. Track & Field
15. Football
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
