May 21, 2013

WASHINGTON - When three generous Georgetown University alumni challenged the Hoya alumni student-athlete community for a matching gift recently, little did they know they would surpass their goal by a wide margin.

The challenge began earlier this winter when loyal Hoyas Unlimited volunteers, Joe Guarriello (B'71, L'74), Paul Besozzi (F'69, L'72) & Carol Besozzi, and Peter Farrell (C'82), put a challenge out to the community of alumni student-athletes. Their goal was to raise $25,000 for the Annual Fund for Georgetown Athletics during March and April in new contributions.

More than 600 alumni student-athletes - 621 to be exact - combined for a donation of $257,000.

Of the 621 donors, 440 were former student-athletes who had not made a gift yet this fiscal year.

"These gifts allow Georgetown Athletics to attract and retain the most qualified coaches, and ensures that we have the equipment, technology, and supplies needed to compete and win," Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Lee Reed said. "These contributions help ensure that Georgetown athletes will continue to receive the best academic experience coupled with the opportunity to compete at a high level of Division I intercollegiate athletics. For this, we THANK YOU! Thank you for supporting the Hoyas who come after you."

"These funds will be used to directly support the student-athlete experience and the effort was truly remarkable," Director of The Annual Fund for Georgetown Athletics and Hoyas Unlimited Kim Insalaco said. "We thank each and every former Hoya athlete who participated."

The goal for the Annual Fund for Georgetown Athletics this year is to have 2,500 former athletes contribute and that mark is only 450 donors away.

While the Alumni Student-Athlete Challenge has come to a close, it is not too late to show your support. To make a gift online by June 30, please click here or call 202-784-6223.

The $25K Alumni Student-Athlete Challenge was launched in coordination with a new initiative to engage former student-athletes - The Georgetown Letterwinners Society. The hope is that all former student-athletes will get involved with the Letterwinners Society and, in doing so, help to shape what its future. To become involved, please e-mail athleticsannualfund@georgetown.edu.

Click here to see the Honor Roll of Alumni-Student Athlete donors during March and April.