The spirit of competition extended far beyond the field this April as SUNY Oswego alumni, families and fans rallied together for the Laker Athletics Giving Week for winning results.
A total of 495 supporters came together from April 1 to 7 to raise over $83,800 in support of Oswego’s student-athletes, fueling critical needs like travel, equipment, training and recruiting. The weeklong initiative highlighted the powerful connection between past and present Lakers, as donors stepped up to invest in the continued success of their favorite teams.
Wendy McManus, assistant vice president of Intercollegiate Athletics, shared a message of gratitude to the Laker supporters.
“Your support helps provide SUNY Oswego student-athletes with the resources they need to succeed — whether that’s enhanced training opportunities, updated equipment or the support systems that help them thrive academically and personally,” McManus said. “We’re grateful to have you on our team and appreciate your commitment to Laker Athletics.”
For many, giving was personal. One alumnus, who made a transformative $20,000 gift to support men’s ice hockey, shared that seeing a clear vision for how funds would be used made all the difference. Supporting a specific project allowed him to “visualize the direct results,” while deepening his lifelong connection to a program that is woven into his Oswego engagement.
Each team identified an area in which they were seeking additional resources. Men’s ice hockey was looking for support to transform and brand the arena weight room, creating a more professional, energized space that reflects the quality of the program and enhances the team’s recruiting efforts.
“Branding the hockey training room similar to other top-flight programs will demonstrate a high-level of spirit and support to motivate both current student-athletes and prospects to commit to their best performance,” said the Laker supporter who wished to remain nameless. “Long term, this project should help secure highly skilled players and motivate team members to continue the storied history of Oswego State hockey now over 60 years old.”
With the $20,000 gift, the men’s ice hockey team raised more than $32,000 — the most of any Laker team. Men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams had 104 donors participate — the largest number of individual donors, who brought in more than $16,200 to help fund the team’s annual winter training and team-building trip.
Director of Annual Giving Barbie Fike praised the collective impact of the week’s efforts.
“This is what it means to be a Laker,” Fike said. “Our community showed up in a big way to invest in the future of our student-athletes. Every gift, no matter the size, is a vote of confidence in their potential and a reminder that they have an entire network behind them.”
McManus also emphasized the broader significance of the challenge.
“Athletics plays a powerful role in helping our student-athletes grow as leaders, connect through shared experiences and thrive both on and off the field,” she said. “Through initiatives like Giving Week, we’re ensuring they have the resources to compete at a high level while building skills that will serve them long after their time at Oswego.”
-- Submitted by University Advancement