July 5, 2011
VILLANOVA, Pa. - The inaugural Wildcat Pride Challenge (WPC) was a great success as the Villanova men's soccer and softball programs were crowned the winners and every athletics program made great strides toward reaching their financial goals. Men's soccer claimed the highest alumni giving percentage with its alumni giving at a 36.5 percent rate for the fiscal year. Softball won for the highest increase in number of donors thanks to a 1,700 percent jump from 2010 to 2011.
"We are genuinely excited about the positive results in year one of the WPC," said director of athletics Vince Nicastro. "I'd like to extend congratulations to Maria and Tom for their `wins' and I am grateful for their leadership in this initiative. I'd also like to thank all of our coaches and former student-athletes who embraced this effort and we challenge them to take it to the next level in the coming year."
"The Wildcat Pride Challenge has helped engage our alumni-and all alumni for that matter-in an energetic competition that in-turn benefits our student-athletes," said men's soccer coach Tom Carlin. "Winning this challenge really speaks to the passion and pride our past players have for this program. Thank you to all the alumni who have donated and I hope we can continue to give at a 36.5 percent rate on an annual basis."
The Villanova Athletic Fund sponsors this Challenge for former Villanova student-athletes as all VU varsity programs oppose each other in the giving competition, starting with gifts received from June 1 through May 31 of the fiscal year. Men's soccer and softball will receive a $10,000 gift to their programs from anonymous donors to Villanova Athletics.
"Winning the Wildcat Pride Challenge is so exciting to me and for the program, but most of all for the alumni of Villanova softball," said softball coach Maria DiBernardi. "I want to thank our alumni for making this happen for our current players and for the program. I feel this is a good beginning to reunite our alumni with Villanova."
Across the board former student-athlete giving rose 90 percent in number of donors while former student-athlete giving percentage nearly doubled this year. All the positive numbers can be attributed to the success of the WPC. The WPC also played an instrumental role in helping the Villanova Athletic Fund generate 60 percent more donors and a 15 percent increase in giving dollars during this past fiscal year.
The 2012 WPC is already underway. Make your gift today and check out the competition at www.SupportVillanovaAthletics.com.
