Dear Kenyon students, faculty and staff,
As any athlete or fan can tell you, stats cannot capture the full picture of a contest, so we wanted to take this opportunity to add some additional information — and thanks — following the success of our inaugural athletics giving challenge.
Simply put: You, along with alumni and parents, showed up. In the first year of this effort to invite broad support for each of our 22 varsity teams, coaches took time out of their seasons and recruiting to work with their players to make compelling messages to encourage giving, with the valued partnership of the Office of Annual Giving. Student-athletes advocated for their sports to family and friends, sharing touching reflections of how much their teams at Kenyon mean to them.
The result was that every sport hit and exceeded their goal for donors — set at 10% of their alumni and active players — with a combined 1,406 people giving to their favorite sport for a total of $247,325. Notably, this includes 124 students who gave and 49 faculty, staff or coaches.
In addition to supporting their operating budget, this is money that our student-athletes and coaches will use for specialized training or equipment, team trips and other experiences.
This challenge was a wonderful reminder of the care and encouragement our community shows for its members. It was truly, in every sense of the phrase, a team effort. Thank you for cheering us on.
Jill McCartney, director of athletics, fitness and recreation
Molly Gutridge ’99, director of annual giving