Support the OHIO Swimming & Diving Alumni and Friends' Scoreboard

$37,730
75%
Raised toward our $50,000 Goal
67 Donors
18
days left
Project ends on May 15, at 10:09 AM EDT
Project Owners

Support Championship Resources for OHIO Swimming and Diving

Together we can finish the Ohio Swimming and Diving Alumni and Friends' Scoreboard in time for the 2024 MAC Championships, but we need YOU to help ensure this is a possibility. Support OHIO Swimming and Diving's project and help the team reach their goal of $50,000. We cannot do it without you!


THE OHIO SWIMMING ALUMNI AND FRIENDS SCOREBOARD 

In our outreach to friends and alumni, we sought support for a special tribute: a new scoreboard for the 2024 MAC Championships. Your remarkable response highlights the strength and unity of the Ohio Family. It's time to honor your collective legacy in a tangible way.

Therefore, we've decided to dedicate this scoreboard to you all, naming it after "Ohio Swimming and Diving Alumni and Friends" for the next 10 years, symbolizing your belief in our programs and unwavering support. Donors of $1,000 or more will receive recognition in the venue.

To achieve this goal, we need to raise our target to $50,000. We trust in the momentum of our campaign and your commitment to leaving a lasting impact. We invite our Bobcat family to join us in pushing further towards this goal of $50,000!


PROJECT PURPOSE

This project will upgrade the OHIO Aquatic Center with a new and improved scoreboard that will have touch sensors and video. The goal is to have this enhancement completed in time for the Bobcats to host the 2024 MAC Women's Swimming and Diving Championship

We understands the importance of this upgrade and knows it's impact on recruiting, the student-athlete experience, spectatorship, and the ability to host future championships. Because of the MAC Tournament, there is a sense of urgency to fund this project. 

Show your support for our student-athletes and help improve their experience here in Athens. Your generosity will also directly impact our ability to recruit the best athletes in the hopes of competing for MAC Championships each and every year.


THE COMPETITORS

Ohio is in the midst of an extremely successful 2023-24 campaign. They are currently UNDEFEATED in duals this year, including a win against two-time MAC Champion Akron. The team continues to prepare and set it's sights on the MAC Championships which will be held in Athens this year.

Last year, the Bobcats had several MAC Champions, including Freshman of the Year Lauren Hartel. Hartel won the 1650-yard freestyle, which earned her All-MAC First Team honors. Ami Hornyak was the first Bobcat to win the 100-yard breaststroke since 2001. Horyak also took third place in the 200-yard breaststroke and earned All-MAC First Team honors. 

McKenzie Grau was also placed on the All-MAC First Team, while Emma Fortman, Gabrielle Brust and Casadie DiBetta were named to the Second Team. 

The team also excelled in the classroom earning a 3.55 team GPA. The team as a whole was named a CSCAA Scholar All-America team and had 22 student-athletes selected to the Academic All-MAC team.

Ohio Swimming and Dive looks to continue their pursuit of excellence this year having opened the season with a record of 3-0 with big wins against Illinois State, Bowling Green, and UMBC. 


SCOREBOARD SPECIFICATIONS

The new scoreboard will elevate the experience at the Ohio University Aquatic Center in the following ways. 

  • Video capabilities increasing the spectator experience
  • Touch sensors for more time accuracy 
  • Enable the hosting of future MAC Championships
  • State of the art recruiting tool


A MESSAGE FROM CAPTAIN GABRIELLE LORING 

"Previous fundraising has provided us the resources to help move the program forward. As it has gone towards new gear and travel expenses, the team has been able to build its image and experience new opportunities. Additionally, our fundraising events have given us the chance to build relationships with our alumni and supporters and share our love and pride for the program. An updated scoreboard will provide an environment equal to that of our MAC peers. With a new scoreboard we will have the opportunity to show off the facilities and program while hosting the MAC championships and future meets." 

- Gabrielle Loring, Senior Captain


HEAR FROM COACH NORMAN

"Fundraising has had a direct impact on each student-athlete in our program. It has allowed us to outfit our team in new apparel, travel to new and exciting meets, and train with cutting edge equipment. The student-athletes engage directly with alumni to build relationships and share in the joys of being a part of the Ohio swimming and diving family. One of our missions is to create a championship culture, and that doesn't stop at the pool. Future fundraising efforts will allow our program and supporters the opportunity to match resources with expectations. Go Bobcats!"

-Mason Norman, Head Coach

BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER 



Your generous gift to this campaign and OHIO Swimming and Diving will create opportunities for our student-athletes to succeed in and out of the pool. 


Your actions now will make OHIO Swimming and Diving's $50,000 goal quickly attainable. Here are three ways alumni, families, and fans can support a bright future for swimming and diving student-athletes:

  • Mail a check (payable to The Ohio University Foundation) to The Ohio University Foundation, PO Box 869, Athens, OH 45701; be sure to write "Swimming and Diving" on the memo. 
  • Talk with Brendan Clark from the Ohio Bobcat Club about making a transformational gift to support OHIO Swimming and Diving
  • If you want to explore making a charitable gift to this campaign with a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA), giving via a Donor Advised Fund or stock transfer, please also reach out to Brendan Clark.