HAMILTON — Colgate University announced Tuesday that the 2021 March Mania athletics fundraising campaign was a success, raising $803,332 from 2,503 donors, and unlocking $150,000 in challenger support for the Colgate Athletics Council.
 
In addition, and in celebration of 50 years of coeducation at Colgate, $192,656 was raised for Colgate's women's and co-ed teams, and those gifts will be matched, thanks to challenger support.
 
Colgate Athletics' annual March Mania campaign is critical in raising vital support for the university's 25 Division I varsity programs and the Colgate Athletics Council. Colgate's varsity teams rely on annual spendable gifts to help their support operating budgets.
 
Gifts to Colgate Athletics help fund expanded recruiting opportunities to attract the best and brightest from around the world, funding for assistant coach and operations positions, travel to and from campus, additional training, strength and video equipment that help teams elevate the student-athlete experience, and opportunities for teams to travel and compete out of region.
 
Colgate volleyball, women's soccer, men's soccer and football rallied the most athletics-alumni donors in their respective brackets, and each earned an additional $3,000 for their program.
 
Overwhelming Support
"Thank you for contributing to a record-breaking March Mania effort." Colgate Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Nicki Moore said. "Our student-athletes have shown such resolve this year, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for our Colgate Athletics community's support of all their endeavors.
 
"Please know that you have played a vital part of making it possible for our student-athletes to compete — to demonstrate that this inclusive community can achieve competitive excellence in every field and every arena."
 
Moore was quick to thank the generous donors who made this year's challenges possible, recognizing Robin Kiam Aviv '83; Charles G. Carey '76 and Wendy G. Carey P'12,'13; Christine E. Cernosia '87; Dina Coker '88, P'19; Michael Crandall '99 and Michele Esposito; Marianne Crosley '80; Arthur R. DeGaetano '91, P'23; Terry Driessen '79 and Christine Driessen; Janet Frink '88; Michael J. Herling '79 and Nancy Herling '81, P'08,'09,'12; Shannon Knapp '98; Jully Kim Kumar '93; Jennifer O'Brien Lacovara '02; Duncan L. Niederauer '81, H'13; JP '96 & Claire Paquin; Meridith B. Roelke '96; Barry J. Small '76 and Laurene F. Small '78; Joanne Spigner '76; Alison Spitzer '91; Jennifer E. Steinmann '89; Lynne Wertz '81; and three anonymous challengers.
 
Raider supporters not able to make a gift during March Mania can still make an impact on the lives of Colgate student-athletes. Please consider a gift in support of Colgate Athletics before the fiscal year ends on June 30 by visiting colgate.edu/athleticcouncil, or by calling 800-668-4428.