Dec. 18, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - As we move through the fall season and into the winter season and holidays, the competition between the thirty-one sports and their alumni is beginning to heat up the Penn State Alumni Challenge for Former Student-Athletes.
Through the first few months of the challenge, (1,031) former student-athletes have contributed--that's (66) percent more donors than at this time last year! There has been a strong representation of new supporters of the programs: Almost (44) percent of our former student-athletes who have joined the challenge to support our current student-athletes are new donors.
There have been a few teams that have moved into the top of the pack and are eyeing the first part of the $6,000 prize, which is for the highest percentage of former student-athletes who represent their team in supporting Penn State Athletics. Among the teams, those with the highest percentage of former student-athlete support so far are Women's Soccer (26 percent), Field Hockey (16 percent), Men's Volleyball (15 percent), Men's Hockey (11 percent), and Women's Golf (11 percent).
Two teams have exceeded last year's numbers and have taken a step forward in winning the second prize of $6,000 for the team with the highest percentage increase of former student-athlete donors over last year. The Women's Soccer program is 9 percent ahead of last year's numbers and Field Hockey is 1 percent ahead of last year's numbers.
It's not too late for the other teams to rally and catch the leaders! To see your team's results, go to the Alumni Challenge Graph.
Penn State Women's Soccer coach and Big Ten Coach of the Year, Erica Walsh, is excited about the challenge's ability to unite past and present student-athletes. "The challenge has become a great way for our former student-athletes to take part in a fun competition to support our current student-athletes and Penn State," she said. "Our current team understands the importance of our alumni who paved the way for them. Seeing the alums continue their support for our team and Penn State Athletics is truly inspiring."
To learn more about this challenge and to stay up-to-date on the progress, visit the Varsity `S' Club website and Varsity `S' Facebook page. The end of the tax year is a great time to make a donation to your sport and support the challenge. All gifts through the Nittany Lion Club are tax deductible. If you wish to make a donation using a check, your envelope must be mailed and postmarked by December 31, 2012. For online gifts, plan to have your gift submitted online prior to December 31, 2012.
Make your sport specific giving gift today. As a former student-athlete 100% of your donation can go to your program while receiving all Nittany Club benefits. To support your team online, please click the following link and choose the specific URL for that sport: Click Here