NORMAL, Ill. – Over 1,100 donors participated in the fourth-annual Support Your Sport Challenge, a week-long initiative that took place from August 7-14 that raised over $220,000 for 15 Illinois State Athletics programs. That total surpassed the past three campaigns, when ISU raised $41,000 (2020), $105,000 (2021), and $160,000 (2022).
The fundraising competition awarded three $1,000 prizes to the teams with the most donors, most dollars raised, and greatest percentage increase in dollars raised from 2022 (not including challenge gifts). 1,168 donations were made with gifts ranging in size from $1-$11,000 which included 23 challenge gifts and two $1,000 prize gifts from Interim Director of Athletics Dr. Jeri Beggs.
Men's Basketball topped football by $44 to win the award for most dollars raised, soccer had an impressive campaign and won the award for most donors with 217, and men's golf saw a 71 percent increase in dollars raised from 2022 (not including challenge gifts) and won the final $1,000 prize.
"The response to our Support Your Sport initiative was overwhelming," Beggs said. "I cannot thank our donors enough for their continued generosity to our student-athletes and we are all so grateful for their support."
Gifts made during the week will be used for enhancements above and beyond ISU's sports team's normal operating budget. Gifts will assist with the following areas: foreign travel, facility upgrades, equipment, training trips, nutrition/meals, recruiting and supplemental needs of the programs.
"Thank you so much to everyone who stepped up to help make Support Your Sport such a success once again," ISU Associate Athletics Director for Revenue Generation Derek Stark said. "I am incredibly impressed by the generosity of Redbird Nation, as well as how invested everyone was internally with this campaign. Most importantly, this is a huge win for Illinois State student-athletes."
If you missed out on the Support Your Sport, there's still time to make your gift. Although the competition is complete, we will continue to tally final donations as gifts are received. To make a gift to the team of your choice, please call Dax Schnase at (309) 438-1506.
2023 Support Your Sport Final Standings
Most Dollars Raised
1. Men's Basketball
2. Football
3. Softball
4. Men's Golf
5. Track & Field/Cross Country
6. Baseball
7. Gymnastics
8. Volleyball
9. Women's Basketball
10. Soccer
11. Cheerleading
12. Women's Golf
13. Women's Tennis
14. Swimming/Diving
15. Men's Tennis
Highest Number of Donors
1. Soccer
2. Cheerleading
3. Softball
4. Men's Basketball
5. Gymnastics
6. Volleyball
7. Baseball
8. Women's Basketball
9. Football
10. Women's Golf
11. Track & Field/Cross Country
12. Men's Golf
13. Women's Tennis
14. Swimming/Diving
15. Men's Tennis
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