University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Our Turn to Play helps Bulldog Athletics Achieve $1M Challenge
05.23.2024 | General, Athletics News
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Almost exactly one year ago, the UNC Asheville Athletics Department announced that the department had received a $1 million transformational gift in the form of a 1:1 matching challenge from two donors — Janice & Joe Brumit and an anonymous family. These gifts, $500,000 each, were designated half to the men's basketball program and the other half to initiatives to enhance the student-athlete experience for all 16 of UNC Asheville's athletic programs. For the challenge gift to be activated, donations had to come from new individual donors or current supporters who increased their gifts from the previous year.
Before the annual Our Turn to Play event, UNC Asheville Athletics had received over $800,000 in new or increased gifts. This year's Our Turn to Play event was the most successful yet, with upwards of $300,000 raised through sponsorships, 50+ table purchases, and donations at the event. With this event's success, the $1 million challenge has officially been met!
"I am extremely grateful to our Bulldog supporters for the incredible generosity that initiated the original matching gift and the incredible response we received to meet the challenge," said Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone. "To hit our challenge goal during one of our signature annual events, Our Turn to Play, surrounded by so many of our Bulldog friends makes this achievement all the more special."
Completing the process of raising the $1 million matching amount has officially resulted in a total investment of $2 million of new support for Bulldog student-athletes in one fiscal year. This significant increase in funding will enable UNC Asheville Athletics to make substantial strides toward supporting the Athletics Department's new strategic plan, Dream Bigger. Achieve More. The additional investments will directly contribute to the priorities outlined in that plan, including competitive excellence, the holistic student-athlete experience, improved facilities, and community engagement.
