Lehigh Enjoys Record-Setting Support in 2022 March Mania

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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The 2022 March Mania giving campaign brought another record-setting outpouring of support from the Lehigh community. Early results indicate that from 12:01 am on Tuesday March 29, through 11:59 pm on Wednesday March 30, 1,375 donors helped raise more than $895,000, shattering last year’s record for March Mania giving by more than $60,000. Funds raised will help offset serious budget shortfalls.

“In sports, we are familiar with the saying ‘records are meant to be broken.’ While we may believe this to be true, there is likely to be a tentativeness about our convictions when a record is an impressive one,” said Lehigh Dean of Athletics Joe Sterrett ’76. “Such was the case in regard to exceeding our record result from last year’s March Mania campaign. We all aspired for the total dollars to exceed the total from a year ago, yet we were also realistic and therefore a bit reserved in our optimism that 2022 would be the year. However, our Athletics Family of alumni, friends, parents, athletes and staff members came through in an extraordinary way, with an impressive new record for dollars. All I can think to say is THANK YOU and I am proud to be a part of this team!”

The competition among sport alumni groups this year returned, with the top five sports alumni bodies earning extra funds for their programs. Women’s Basketball had the highest alumni participation among the athletics department. In addition, the team with the most dollars, and the team with the most donors earned extra funds for their respective programs. This year Cross Country and Track and Field had the most donors, while Football brought in the most dollars.

Highest alumni participation rate by sport unlocks –

1st – Women’s Basketball – $3,000
2nd – Women’s Golf – $2,500
3rd – Field Hockey – $2,000
4th – Softball – $1,500
5th – Volleyball – $1,000
Sport with the most overall dollars unlocks – $1,000 – Football
Sport with the most overall donors unlocks – $1,000 – Cross Country and Track and Field
Total prize money – $12,000

Lehigh Athletics would also like to recognize and offer special thanks to our challengers whose generous support of matching gifts significantly impacted our success! Those challengers include: Shannon Doherty Portell ’01, Suzanne Matarazzo ’99, Jay Canell ’89, Neil Canell ’89, Tim Abbott ’91, Vince Volpe ’80, Susan Sachs ’77, Barry ’66 and Karen Jenkin, two proud football alumni, and an alum from the class of 1970, and several anonymous donors. Sport specific matches unlocked $220,000 of additional funding.

March Mania may be over, but you can still support Lehigh Athletics. Lehigh’s fiscal year ends June 30.

Click HERE to make a gift, or mail any donations to:

Lehigh University Athletics
Attention—Lisa Landis
641 Taylor Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015

**Remember to make your check payable to “Lehigh University” and include the sport program and/or General Unrestricted Athletics Partnership Fund, and “March Mania” on the memo line of the check.

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