Salisbury University Athletics and Campus Recreation delivered another historic Giving Day performance, raising almost $302,000 during the University's 2026 Giving Day and building on several years of sustained fundraising growth.

Athletics, Recreation, and Club Sports raised $301,914.40 from 1,991 donor gifts in just 24 hours, accounting for nearly half of all dollars raised and more than half of all donors University wide. Total university Giving Day fundraising reached $610,343.41 from 3,923 donor gifts.

Athletics and Recreation giving increased by more than $39,000 over last year, a 15 percent jump, while the number of athletic donors increased despite a slight decline in overall University donors. Athletic programs also accounted for 41 percent of all matching gift dollars awarded during Giving Day, totaling $96,825 of the $233,825 distributed.

"This year's Giving Day results speak to the momentum we have built over time," said Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation Monica Polizzi. "Our alumni, families, and friends continue to step forward in greater numbers and at higher levels. That consistency matters. It strengthens our programs, expands opportunities for our students, and reinforces the role Athletics and Campus Recreation play in advancing the University as a whole. I am incredibly proud of our coaches, staff, student athletes, and development team for the way they continue to lead these efforts."

Coach Sherman Wood and SU Football led all programs in dollars raised with $46,102, an increase of more than $6,700 over last year. Coach Dawn Chamberlin's Field Hockey program led all teams in total donors with 268 supporters, an increase of 101 donors, while also raising $35,538, up more than $10,000.  Her initiative to rebrand the locker room in Sea Gull Stadium to support student-athletes resonated with many donors.

Several other programs posted notable year-over-year gains, reflecting broad-based engagement across the department. Swimming raised $24,391 on 166 donors, increasing both dollars and donors significantly. Men's Lacrosse grew by more than $8,700 in total giving while adding 26 donors. Men's Soccer increased donations by more than $5,300 while adding 31 supporters as Coach Zack MacDougall placed an emphasis on alumni engagement.  On the club side, men's rugby turned in another fantastic year, tallying 129 donors between their fund and endowment and tallied almost $16,000 in gifts.

"Giving Day is a snapshot of something much bigger," said Stan Bradley, Athletic Development Officer. "Over the last few years, we have steadily grown our donor base, increased participation, and raised the ceiling on what our community believes is possible. This year proved that growth is not limited to one team or one group. It happened across the department. That only occurs when coaches, student athletes, alumni, parents, and friends are aligned and committed to the long-term success of Sea Gull Athletics and Campus Recreation."

Bradley also pointed to the importance of matching gifts and participation as key drivers of success.

"Almost half of every dollar raised University wide came through Athletics and Recreation, and more than half of all donors chose to support these programs," Bradley said. "That level of engagement sends a powerful message about the value people place on the student-athlete experience and on our role within the University."

Salisbury University Athletics and Campus Recreation thanks all who supported Giving Day 2026 and looks forward to continuing this upward trajectory in the years ahead.