Garnet Generosity, Sports Edition

April’s Rise Up with the Garnet Athletics Challenge scored big: 1,829 Swarthmore community members across four countries and 43 states gave more than $146,845 to support our student-athletes.

An alum-athlete kicked it off by pledging $25,000 to be unlocked once 300 individuals made a gift of any size. Garnet supporters quickly met the goal, inspiring Charlie Sussman ’05 to pledge $5,000 to reach an additional 500 donors.

They kept upping the ante: Marian Ware Director of Athletics Adam Hertz gave $1,000 for 1,000 donors; Associate Vice President for Advancement Don Cooney gave $1,500 for 1,500 donors.

All 22 teams reached their goals. While field hockey had the highest donor participation rate, women’s lacrosse got the most total donors and men’s soccer raised the most money.

“On behalf of our student-athletes who directly benefit from your generosity, thank you for supporting our Garnet Athletics Challenge,” says Hertz. “Your personal commitment to the Garnet helps them wear our ‘S’ with pride.”