29 Hours of Giving, a Year of Possibilities for Vassar Athletes
For 29 hours starting at 8:00 a.m. on October 13, alums, parents, and others in the Vassar community will participate in a fundraising blitz to benefit the College’s athletic teams. Since its inception in 2017, the annual Athletics Day of Giving has raised more than $3 million from thousands of donors for athletic training and equipment, team trips to Florida, California, Europe, and elsewhere, and other support for 25 varsity teams and 4 club teams. To make a donation, go to go.vassar.edu/give2brew on the day of the event.
“The Athletics Day of Giving is a powerful opportunity to invest directly in the experience and success of our Vassar student-athletes,” said Michelle Walsh, Director of Athletics and Physical Education. “The generosity of our donors makes opportunities possible that extend far beyond the playing field—from winter- and spring-break training trips and enhanced sport performance and nutrition programming to additional athletic training and strength and conditioning support, as well as career networking events that connect our athlete-alums with current Brewers. Every gift helps provide our student-athletes with the resources, experiences, and support they need to thrive both in the classroom and in competition.”
One student-athlete who has been involved in the fundraising effort for the past three years said she was looking forward to taking part in the event again this year. “It’s heartwarming to see this outpouring of support every year,” said Holland Kaplan ’27, captain of the women’s volleyball team and president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). “The money we raise makes a real difference in the lives of our athletes.”
Each team promotes its individual fundraising effort by creating videos and social media campaigns, Kaplan said, and the money generated benefits all student-athletes and others who use the athletic facilities. Eighty percent of each gift to a team goes directly to that team. The remaining 20 percent is allocated to the Department of Athletics and Physical Education for programs and equipment that benefit all 600 student-athletes.
Later this month, the women’s volleyball team will use some of the funds raised last year to play three matches against teams in California, while the men’s basketball team will kick off its season with a trip to Greece for three games between October 16 and 24. “I plan a trip to Europe at least once every four years because our season spans both semesters, and our players have a difficult time enrolling in study-abroad programs,” Head Men’s Basketball Coach Ryan Mee said. “I want to give them an international experience once during their time at Vassar.”
Mee added that the annual event comes at an ideal time for the basketball team because it occurs just before preseason practices begin. “The Day of Giving aligns perfectly with our core values of trust, commitment, and care as the team is galvanized in activities for the fundraising effort,” he said.
Head Women’s Tennis Coach Marty Perry said his team’s annual trip to California during Spring Break serves a similar purpose. “We face competitive teams in California that help to prepare us for our conference schedule, and the trip builds a culture of bonding as the season begins,” Perry said. “As coaches, we can’t control winning and losing, but we can build an atmosphere that establishes relationships among our players, and some of those relationships last a lifetime.”
Walsh said she was confident the tradition of generosity engendered by the Day of Giving would continue this year. “We are deeply grateful to our alumni, families, and friends who have supported Vassar Athletics in the past, and we invite our entire community to join us again this year,” she said. “Together, we can make a lasting difference for our student-athletes and help ensure that all Brewers have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”