University of Connecticut Athletics
A Message From David Benedict
7/26/2021 2:15:00 PM | General, Husky Athletic Fund
Thank You, UConn Nation
The last 16 months have been some of the most challenging many of us have experienced. The environment created by the pandemic has caused a sea change in our society, impacting all walks of life, including UConn Athletics. The philanthropy of UConn Nation was critical to the operation and success of our coaches and student-athletes and the UConn faithful certainly delivered in a time of need.Â
Donations in fiscal year 2021 totaled $21.4 MM, which was the fourth-highest mark in UConn history and increased the three-year (FY19, FY20, FY21) donation average to $20.8 MM. For reference, the average over the previous three years (FY16, FY17, FY18) was $10.4 MM. In fact, the last two years mark the highest two-year total in the history of UConn Athletics.Â
Without this level of generosity, projects like Joseph J. Morrone Stadium at the Rizza Performance Center, Elliot Ballpark, Burrill Family Field, and the new hockey arena we recently broke ground on, would not be possible.
Of equal importance are the continued contributions to the Husky Athletic Fund, which supports annual scholarship and programmatic funding. UConn Nation supplied the Husky Athletic Fund with $8.9 MM in FY21, the highest total since 2008 and the 6,048 donors is the most since 2009.Â
The level of sports-specific giving also saw an uptick during this critical time of need. In FY20, sports-specific giving stood at $1.7 MM and that number increased to $4.1 MM in FY21. Our coaches and student-athletes are grateful for this generosity which helped soften the sharp edges of hardship that manifested while competing in the midst of a pandemic.Â
On behalf of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, please accept my most sincere and heartfelt gratitude to all those that contributed and helped make our success possible. The excitement surrounding the 2021-22 season is palpable and I can't wait to welcome UConn Nation back into our home venues and remind our opponents where the best fans in the country reside!
Thank you and Go Huskies!
