The Day of Giving is a one-of-a-kind fundraiser event in which every GCSU varsity athletics team participates in fundraising efforts for their program. One hundred percent of funds raised by the teams goes directly back into their own programs, with no profits being taken out by the athletic department, event organizers or GCSU officials.
It is up to the teams individually to decide what their funds will go towards, whether it be new gear or equipment, travel funds or student scholarships.
“Last year’s Day of Giving funds allowed the GCSU Cross Country team to buy upgraded uniforms and participate in an overnight travel Cross Country meet,” said Alexander Bruno the cross country head coach.
Leading up to the event and on the day of, student-athletes work diligently to do their part in fundraising money for their individual teams. Athletes repost graphics and donation links on social media, and many have keychains that display the Day of Giving donation link, making it easy for people to scan and donate in person.
Another fundraising method is the athletic department’s “Pie an Athlete” event held outside of Arts and Sciences, which raised money for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. At this event, athletes, coaches and athletic officials hosted a tent in which students could pay to “pie” a representative. GCSU’s athletic director, Wendell Staton, is extremely involved in Day of Giving, and was one of such individuals who was pied.
“This day is so critical for us,” Stanton said. “Our goal is $200,000, and we’re well on our way. It really impacts the student athlete experience, and that’s the goal for today.”
Another notable figure at the fundraiser was Assistant Director of Athletics, Cathy Stevens.
“Day of Giving is giving back to the sports programs to make the student-athlete experience better. This is for them,” Stevens said. “This one is strictly for funding foundation accounts, because each sports program has one particular need that they’re raising money for.”
In other words, where other fundraisers may be to raise money for an athletics department or the school as a whole, Day of Giving proceeds go directly into the accounts of individual teams based on their own fundraising efforts.
Senior Early Education major Stephanie Condland is a dedicated softball player at GCSU, and she explained that in just the four years she has been a player, the team has experienced a variety of important changes.
“We are still an up-and-coming program,” Condland said. “Gives Day gives us the opportunity to just keep getting better. Last year, we were able to get a pitching machine, which has made us more efficient with hitting, and this year we are getting new uniforms.”
In total, on Oct. 21, the GCSU athletic department raised $174,521.89 from 990 donors. The baseball team had the most donations, with 200 gifts totaling $30,868.44. This was 134% of their goal donations, having aimed for just 150 donations. This money will be put towards allowing the team to upgrade their gear and travel to compete in more prestigious events.
Cross Country, Softball, Women’s Basketball, and Volleyball all also exceeded their donation goals, allowing them to expand their ideas of what their funds can be used for.