Successful fundraising event kicks off Shenango Athletics season

SHARON, Pa. - The wins are coming early for Shenango Athletics as the campus's six sports teams look to fall 2024 competition. However, this success didn't come on the field or court, but in the form of $14,062 in fundraising dollars received during the annual PA Ohio Gives Giving Week hosted by the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio.

This year's Giving Week was held from June 22-28 and allowed donors to choose between 77 different local non-profit organizations to support, including Penn State Shenango.

As part of this year's week-long event, participating organizations could compete in multiple "giving challenges," including donation bonuses for the organization that received the first gift of the event, or who received a gift from a donor who is the furthest distance away from the Shenango Valley, among others. Penn State Shenango was the winner of "The Closer" challenge and was awarded an additional $500 after receiving the event's final donation at 11:59 p.m. on June 28.

"Our initial goal of $10,000 was blown out of the water," said Director of Athletics Brandon Padgett. "The success of our Giving Week campaign is further proof of the excitement and community support surrounding Penn State Shenango Athletics in the region."

In previous years, Penn State Shenango has participated in Giving Week to raise funds for various academic and student life related opportunities. Past fundraising efforts targeted student and faculty research, study abroad and funding for occupational therapy assistant and physical therapist assistant students to help cover the cost of their clinical experiences.

Following multiple years of participation growth in athletics at Penn State Shenango, and the addition of new sports programs, Shenango Athletics was identified as an area that needed additional support during this year's Giving Week.

"It's a good problem to have," Padgett said. "Our rosters across all sports have expanded in recent years, plus the influx of student-athletes in our newest programs like baseball and cross country, have increased the cost associated with competing."

Shenango Athletics is using the funds for items such as uniform and equipment purchasing, as well as to assist its teams with food and travel expenses. The additional cost of postseason competitions was also factored in following the Shenango Women's Basketball team's recent bid to compete in the USCAA National Tournament in Richmond, Virginia.

"When our teams are successful enough to earn postseason play, we owe it to the players and coaches to provide them with the best possible experience," Padgett said. "These fundraising dollars will allow us to do that when our teams are competing for championships."

A successful fundraising effort in the weeks leading up to the beginning of athletic competitions is a momentum builder, according to Padgett.

"It's a springboard for further success," Padgett said. "There's a lot to be excited about this season, and even more exciting things are planned for the future."

Fall 2024 competitions begin on Aug. 24 with the start of the women's volleyball preseason. For more information about schedules, visit shenangoathletics.com.

Donors to Penn State Shenango advance the University's historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University's impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.