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University of Portland Athletics raised a total of $3.25 million during the 2018-19 fiscal year, the largest single year fundraising effort in recorded history for the department. More than 1,500 donors contributed to the Pilot Athletic Fund, which supplements a number of department initiatives including facility upgrades, student-athlete welfare resources, scholarships, travel and recruiting expenses, and other special projects.
The department has seen growth in both total donors and dollars in each of the last four years. Fiscal year 2016 had 684 donors contributing $938,260. The numbers increased to 830 donors and $971,886 in fiscal year 2017. Those numbers jumped significantly to 1,422 donors and $2.54 million in 2018, while the upward trend continued once again in fiscal year 2019.
"The exponential growth in our fundraising efforts is a great credit to our development team," University Vice President for Athletics, Scott Leykam said. "Nick Wood, Andrew Keippela and the entire Office of Development have done an excellent job highlighting the impact these funds have in supporting our 270 student-athletes. We have a strong and growing base of donors that are committed to helping our programs compete at the highest level, while providing a premier experience for our student-athletes."
Contributions went to a variety of special projects and major initiatives including:
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- #PilotsGive: The annual campus-wide day of giving in April launched in 2018 and has provided a major boost for sport-specific donations. Nearly 1,200 supporters contributed a total of $132,000 during the 24-hour giving period (April 3-4). UP Board of Regent's member, Steve Shepard '58, provided $25,000 in challenge gifts that helped spur participation.
- Facility Upgrades: Chiles Center Indoor Track installation, Joe Etzel Field stadium renovation, Chiles Center HD Video Board and Chiles Center HD Sideline Boards.
- Franz Campus on the River: Significant gifts for two new soccer fields that opened in the fall of 2018 and gifts toward the Pat Becker, Sr. Track & Field Complex.
- 6th Man Fund: The official fund and elite club of supporters for UP Men's Basketball that provides funds for expenses such as training, equipment, recruiting, and other essential needs for the program.
- Starting XI Club: The official club for UP Men's and Women's Soccer that provides funding for training, equipment, recruiting, and other essential needs for the program.
- Rowing Boats: Four state-of-the-art shells were bought for the rowing program.
- Tennis Video Technology: PlaySight video technology and HD video streaming introduced.
- Women's Sports Initiatives: Donor-provided support for every women's program to use at the team's discretion.
- The Pilot Sports Performance Fund: Created to support student-athlete resources to enhance sports performance. All gifts directed towards education, training equipment, nutrition, injury prevention, and health/performance technology.
- Pilots LEAD Fund: Supports opportunities for student-athletes to LEAD: Learn, Engage, Advance, and Dedicate. All gifts directed towards opportunities for student-athletes in international studies, community service, leadership development, and career development.
Portland posted impressive results in athletic competitions during the 2018-19 season and was one of only four Division I-AAA institutions to finish in the Top 100 of the
Learfield IMG College Directors' Cup standings. Notable team highlights included:
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- Men's Cross Country placing third at the 2018 NCAA Cross Country Championships, marking the third time in the last five years the team has finished on the podium.
- Women's Cross Country with a program-best 12th-place finish at the 2018 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
- Men's Soccer reaching the NCAA Postseason for the second time in the past three years and defeated UCLA in the opening round.
- Volleyball advancing to the postseason for the first time in program history and reached the quarterfinals of the National Invitational Volleyball Championships (NIVC).
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