WORCESTER, Mass. - The 2017 Greyhound Pride Challenge surpassed all expectations this year, raising over $150,000, as announced by the athletic department and Director of Athletics Nick Smith this week.
"We are thrilled with the results of this year's Greyhound Pride Challenge," said Smith. "For only being in its second year, the total far surpassed our original goal of $100,000. We couldn't have reached this monetary amount without the generous contributions of our amazing alumni and the tireless efforts of our coaches and student-athletes to help raise money for their respective programs. These funds will have an immediate positive impact on student-athletes' experiences as we continue to strive for excellence at Assumption."
In addition to the impressive amount of funds raised, Assumption had over 750 donors, made up of alumni, parents and friends of the college. This year's total is an increase of more than 200 donors from last year's Pride Challenge.
"It was one of the greatest feelings meeting our Pride Challenge goal this year and we owe it tremendously to our wonderful women's lacrosse alums, family and friends," said women's lacrosse sophomore Sarah Reilly. "The Pride Challenge has shown our team that we have so many supporters behind our program. We could not be more pleased with its success and hope to make our alums, families and friends proud this season. Once a hound, always a hound!"
In total, 11 different programs exceeded the goals which they set prior to the Pride Challenge. These programs were men's basketball, ice hockey, men's lacrosse men's tennis, women's basketball, softball, women's soccer, women's swimming & diving, women's tennis and women's volleyball. Additionally, field hockey, football, men's cross country & track and field, and men's soccer all reached at least 70 percent of their stated goal.
"It was amazing to see how much of the Assumption community still wants to play an active role in our experience here," said men's soccer sophomore Chase Gurcan. "When we reached out to our alumni and had conversations about how our season went, it was great to know they still watch and care about the Assumption soccer family. They might not realize how much they help us with their donations, but we our entire team appreciates everything they do."
This year ten different programs received 100 percent participation from their entire team, including coaches and players. For reaching that number each of the programs will receive more than $300, which will go directing in their fundraising account. They were women's basketball, field hockey, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, rowing, men's soccer, swimming and diving, men's tennis, women's tennis and volleyball.
To see a visual representation of how each program did, view the image below or click here.
