University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Champions Society recognized by Asheville Athletics
02.10.2021 | General, BAA Scholarship Fund, Athletics News
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Even during a global pandemic, UNC Asheville Bulldog Athletics and its student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom and on the field of competition. In large part, the commitment and generosity from the UNC Asheville Athletics Champions Society is a key to the success of our student athletes and the Bulldog athletic program.
The Champions Society members are leadership investors who support the most critical priorities, like the student-athlete scholarship fund, for UNC Asheville student-athlete success. Currently, the UNC Asheville Champions Society has 14 members who donate $50,000 or greater to UNC Asheville Bulldog Athletics to support.
Guy Batsel, who was a standout basketball player at then Asheville-Biltmore College and later inducted into the UNC Asheville Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018, knows firsthand the benefits a student-athlete can reap from being a Bulldog. "UNC Asheville, with its rich history of athletic and scholastic excellence, will continue to thrive as long we are all committed to paying it forward for future students in honor of the rewarding experiences we all enjoyed during our time at UNC Asheville," said Batsel.
In the spring of 2020, Batsel, and his wife Debbie, demonstrated their belief and commitment to UNC Asheville by becoming the first two members of the UNC Asheville Champions Society. Fellow Champions Society members, Larry and Barbara Griswold point to the well-rounded approach of the Bulldog student-athletes as the driving force to continue to invest in Asheville and its Athletics Department.
"UNC Asheville athletes are truly student-athletes," Larry Griswold said. "They're working on their education, working towards their degree, and becoming productive members of society after they graduate. They are not simply there to play their sport and have a good time."
"They are expected to be students first, and that comes from the top from Janet and goes all the way down to the coaches," Barbara said. "They all have that focus and everyone we have met supports the student-athletes so they can be the best they can be. The whole attitude at UNC Asheville is so worthy of support."
"Champions Society members are investing in not only the success of our top-notch student-athletes in their respective sports but more importantly in establishing leaders in life for today and tomorrow, stated Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone. "We are so thankful for our friends who have chosen to support us in this very special philanthropic manner and look forward to growing this society in the future."
If you are interested in supporting UNC Asheville Athletics and our student-athletes , please contact David Jandrew, Associate Athletics Director for External Operations, at djandrew@unca.edu or 828.251.6894.
