Teams competing in March Madness, the 2019 Days of Giving, received more than 1,500 gifts totaling over $72,000, including $12,500 in donated prize money. Teams raising money for Thea’s Pantry, the softball team, and the cheerleaders won their respective brackets, earning an additional $1,000 for their cause.
In this first-of-its-kind crowd funding competition, team representing academic centers and programs, student groups, and athletic teams tapped their social networks to see who could raise the most gifts per team member over two days, March 19-20. The bracketed competition replicated the thrill of the NCAA’s iconic basketball tournament, with teams advancing to the next round by raising more gifts per team member than their competition.
“You all did an amazing job, putting together your campaign videos, attending trainings, reaching out to your friends and family and showcasing the fantastic programs we have here at Worcester State. You are all a credit to your clubs, teams, departments and the University,” said Assistant Director of Annual Giving Sierra Trudel at an event celebrating the winners.
Phil Wasylean III ’63, Gregg Rosen ’86, and President Barry M. Maloney each sponsored a bracket and provided prize money for the winning teams, as well as additional prizes for Power Hour winners. Certain hours were designated as Power Hours throughout the 48 hour competition, and teams that raised the most gifts per team member during those hours, no matter their status in the brackets, received an additional $250.
Final Results:
The Wasylean Bracket:
First Place: Thea’s Food Pantry
Second Place: The Graduate School Scholarship Fund
Third Place: The Criminal Justice Department and Nursing Class of 2020
The Rosen Athletic Bracket
First Place: Women’s Softball
Second Place: Women’s Lacrosse
Third Place: Women’s Soccer and Women’s Tennis
The President Maloney Bracket
First Place: The Cheerleading Team
Second Place: Enactus
Third Place: The Student Government Association and WSU Pride Alliance
First-place winners received an additional $1,000 into their fund; second-place winners received $500; and third-place winners received $250. Athletic Director Michael Mudd provided an additional $500 to the athletic team that raised the most money in the competition; the men’s track team won that prize.
Additional winners of Power Hour prizes include: The Equestrian Club, Health Sciences, Men’s Soccer, Occupational Therapy, Nursing Class of ’21, and Men’s Basketball.
Visit our March Madness webpage for more information and to see the full bracket final standings or see a full recording of the March Madness celebration here.
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