McLean County Times

Over 1,000 donors participated in the fifth-annual Support Your Sport Challenge, a week-long initiative that took place from August 5-10 and raised over $200,000 for 15 Illinois State Athletics programs.

In total, 1,039 donations were made, amounting to $207,019. The fundraising competition awarded three $1,000 prizes to the teams with the most donors, most dollars raised, and greatest percentage increase in dollars raised from 2023 (excluding challenge gifts). Football won the award for most dollars raised while the swimming & diving team secured awards for most donors and biggest percentage increase in dollars raised from 2023.

"Being here for just over three months as a head coach, it's amazing to see this much support and generosity towards ISU swim & dive," Head Coach Riley Hilbrandt said. "Not only am I thankful for all the donations we received, but I loved seeing my team be so involved and willing to reach out to anyone they could so we could secure our first-place finish for most donors. I truly believe all who donated did so because they see the potential this program has, and the dollar amount raised this year speaks volumes for our entire department."

Gifts made during the week will be used for enhancements beyond ISU's sports team's normal operating budget. These enhancements include team travel, facility upgrades, equipment, training trips, nutrition/meals, recruiting and supplemental needs of the programs.

"Thank you for your support of our program and Illinois State Athletics as a whole," ISU Football Head Coach Brock Spack said. "It was great to see so many people come out and support us as we fundraised for nutrition enhancements. I can't wait to see the impact those dollars will have on our student-athletes on the field this Fall."

For those who missed out on the Support Your Sport campaign but still wish to contribute to their favorite Redbird program can call Dax Schnase at (309) 438-1506.

GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App remain sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia content, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.