(May 3, 2019) LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell Athletics announced today a record-breaking fundraising total for the third annual Days of Giving, which took place on April 9
thand 10
th. The department raised a total of $88,000 over the 48-hour period, which included $20,000 in gifts to the Costello Campaign.
For the first time in school history, River Hawk Athletics reached 100% participation from all 425 student-athletes and all athletics coaches and staff members. Every River Hawk team received an additional $500, thanks to a generous donor for reaching the 100% participation mark.
Eight additional donors provided match money totaling $40,000 for Days of Giving.
"Our supporters are vital to the success of UMass Lowell Athletics, and the outstanding achievements of our student-athletes in competition, within the community and in the classroom are a true testament to that continued support," said Director of Athletics
Peter Casey.
The athletic department collected 1,126 donations over the two-day period, which was record at UMass Lowell for any department on campus. That number more than tripled the 397 donors from a year ago. The $88,000 dollars raised earlier in the month almost tripled the $35,000 raised during 2018.
"River Hawk Nation is sincerely grateful and proud that so many people have chosen to invest in our student-athletes," remarked Casey. "The expression of generosity has inspired and energized all of the student-athletes, coaches, and administration – to continue to strive for excellence in all of our endeavors this year and beyond."
A total of four River Hawks teams had over 100 donors, while two teams raised over $10,000 in the 48-hour span.
In true River Hawk team spirit, the UMass Lowell Field Hockey and Softball teams were both working very hard reach their goals that would unlock their respective $5,000 matches throughout the 48 hour period. During the final hours of the campaign, the Field Hockey program reached its goal, which unlocked their match for additional money. Once they learned had reached their mark, they asked alumni and friends on social media to donate to the Softball program in the closing hours of the campaign to unlock their $5,000 in match funds. Softball reached their goal because of this tremendous gesture and true sportsmanship by UMass Lowell athletes and coaches.
"I thought it was great how the team was so into days of giving and did a great job reaching out to as many people as they could," said UMass Lowell Softball Head Coach
Danielle Henderson. "It was amazing that field hockey team was trying to help us reach our goal to help us unlock our challenge. They are the team that always leads the way in days of giving and it meant a lot to our team having them help."
"Assisting the Softball team in reaching their match it was a no-brainer," stated River Hawk Field Hockey Head Coach
Shannon Hlebichuk. "Although we set out to win, we also understood the impact we could have if we spread our reach. Softball did a phenomenal job in cultivating new donors and raising funds, all while staying UNDEFEATED in the conference during days of giving. We are a team here at UMass Lowell and teammates help each other reach goals. While they were winning, we just wanted to help them reach their match."
The Costello Campaign, which was launched in the fall, aims to raise $5 million to renovate the Costello Athletic Center by 2020. In just six months time, the River Hawks have raised $1.6 million dollars from 279 donors to towards the campaign. The Costello Athletic Center, which is home to over 400 River Hawk student-athletes, was built in 1967 with some minor renovations in 2013.
The renovation project includes the addition of River Hawk Central, a multipurpose student-athlete lounge. River Hawk Central will be a dynamic transformation with over 4000 square feet of space, which will be used for team meetings, video breakdown, game day meals and special alumni events. The lounge will also house a refueling station to aid in post-training recovery for student-athletes.
To make a donation or for more information on the Costello Campaign visit
www.goriverhawks.com/costellocampaign.
