The George Mason women's lacrosse and men's wrestling programs were crowned winners in the 2015 Alumni-Athlete Giving Challenge and will receive a financial award for their program. The Challenge, in its fifth year, set a new record for highest percentage of alumni-athletes donating to Mason Athletics since the inception of the challenge in 2010. 

The Challenge is made possible by the generosity of alumni-athletes Dan and Patty Wotring, who sponsor the fundraising program with a $5,000 donation to Mason Athletics and award the sports that excel in three different categories; highest percentage of alumni-athlete giving; most improved percentage of alumni-athlete giving from the previous fiscal year; and the highest percentage of young alumni-athlete giving.  A young alumnus is a graduate of the past five years (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014). 

 “I want to personally thank Dan and Patty Wotring for their loyalty and ongoing commitment to Mason Athletics,” commented Assistant VP and Director of Athletics Brad Edwards. “The success of this challenge starts with them and the passion they have shown initiating this fundraising effort.  It's also a testament to the great experience our student-athletes receive here at Mason and the connection they still have to Mason after graduation.”   

The Patriot Club would like to thank the more than 380 alumni-athletes that contributed approximately $110,000 to Mason Athletics to make the 2015 challenge a record breaking success. Compared with last fiscal year, the number of alumni-athletes donating increased by 40 with more than 80 first time donors. Alumni-athlete giving percentage increased from 2014 to set a new record for highest percentage of alumni-athletes donating to Mason Athletics since its inception. 

 “When Patty and I started sponsoring this challenge five years ago we had no idea the level of success it would reach in terms of participation and dollars raised,” said Dan Wotring. “Our initial goal was 10% of alumni-athletes giving back to Mason, we met that goal and have continued to improve upon it each year.”

This year the initiative reached nearly 14% of alumni-athlete giving while increasing dollars raised for Mason Athletics. “We appreciate the support of the alumni-athletes and coaches! Obviously coaches Jessy and Joe have done a great job rallying the lacrosse and wrestling alumni, but the real winners are our student-athletes. Personally, I can't think of a better investment,” added Wotring.

Women's lacrosse claimed the highest overall giving percentage with 50 of their alumnae donating and the most improved giving percentage. Head Coach Jessy Morgan made an impact in her first season with the program heading in the right direction on and off the field. This is the first time in the five years of the program that lacrosse earned an alumni-athlete challenge award.

“I follow the 3 A's academics, athletics, alumni with all 3 were equally important to building this program,” said Morgan. “I can honestly say that having the support of the alumni is our greatest accomplishment this year. We had a fairly successful season in terms of wins and losses but this speak volumes in terms of future success here at Mason. Thank you to the former players that took time out of their busy lives to give back to Mason. We know we will succeed because we have people that believe in what we are doing and are willing to support our vision and we have plans to win the contest every year.” 

The highest young alumni percentage went to wrestling. Fifth-year head coach Joe Russell's program claimed the most improved giving percentage award in the 2013 challenge.

“I'm pleased to see alumni giving back to Mason Athletics in record numbers.  We are making progress as a department and the level of alumni support helps display this truth.  The young alumni for wrestling stepped up in a big way.  We had participation from every young alumni class including 100% participation from our 2013 and 2014 graduates.  Alumni-athletes, thank you for paving the way for the current student-athletes and for your continued support of Mason Athletics.” 

Following the success of the challenge, Mason Athletics hopes to continue this momentum into the 2016 Alumni-Athlete Giving Challenge.

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