George Washington University Athletics
Baseball, Men’s Water Polo Take Home Top Prizes in Buff & Blue Fund Challenge
5/31/2019 2:54:00 PM | Baseball, General, Men's Track/Cross Country, Men's Rowing, Women's Basketball, Gymnastics, Water Polo
After a sprint to the finish that nearly required overtime or extra innings to decide it, the annual Buff & Blue Fund Challenge wrapped up last week with men's water polo and baseball securing the top prizes.
The annual contest among GW's 27 intercollegiate teams, made possible through the outstanding philanthropic effort of GW Athletics Advisory Council Chair Michelle Rubin, ESIA '91, provided $25,000 in additional funding to the programs with the highest percentage of their alumni who made a gift to their team. The benefits are thusly twofold; increased financial support and engagement from alumni is the lifeblood of most programs, while Rubin's added boost further incentivized the sweepstakes.
"Every year the Buff & Blue Fund Challenge becomes a bigger success story," said Rubin. "I'm honored to be able to be a part of engaging our alumni community around our current student-athletes, and to see the inner competitive nature of our alumni across the world still burning as bright as ever is thrilling to watch. They're competing with the same discipline and excellence for their programs like their successors who wear the Buff and Blue today. That's what the Buff & Blue Fund Challenge is all about."
In the Buff Division, baseball earned the $7,000 first prize, while men's rowing claimed $3,000 courtesy of Rubin for the runner-up showing. Women's basketball took home Most Improved honors. On the Blue side, men's water polo topped the field to claim another $7,000, while gymnastics scored the $3,000 second place award. Men's cross country and track was Most Improved, befitting of a program that has seen its best seasons in recent years.
"The Buff and Blue Fund Challenge has always been a time for our alumni to step up and show their support for GW baseball," said Gregg Ritchie. "Once again they rose to the challenge. We're excited to build off this and plan to use the winning funds, generously given by Michelle Rubin, to purchase new audio and visual equipment in the locker room and clubhouse."
For Barry King, Head Coach of Men's Water Polo, who has now won back-to-back conference titles and was one of the final six teams nationwide vying for a National Championship in the fall, the support of his alumni coincides with the rise of the program.
"Once again, our alumni have shown inspiring support of our team's pursuit of championships," noted King. "We will use the extra funding to support our training and playing options in deep water. This a critical element of our continued improvement and ultimate goal to be an elite program nationally."
To men's rowing coach Mark Davis, as the saying goes, pain is weakness leaving the body, and with the additional funding, he'll purchase new ergometers.
"Thanks for helping us spread more pain across the team!", Davis joked, as men's rowing sets its sights on IRA Nationals this weekend.
Gymnastics coach Margie Foster Cunningham has cultivated an alumnae network more than three decades in the making who once again showed their respect for their alma mater.
"I'm so proud of my alumni participation and support," she said. "We are fortunate to have Michelle Rubin supporting this alumni effort, and we will be able to use these funds for our team building event in the fall!"
As for Terry Weir, who helms both the men's and women's cross country and track & field squads, the newbie to the leaderboard is excited for the traction he hopes will continue to take hold with alumni.
"Our alums know for our program to continue to grow and perform on the A-10 and national level, we must continue to train our student-athletes at a very high level with little interruption as possible. To that end the money our alums help raise will go directly to physiotherapy and massage work on our athletes."
For Athletics Director Tanya Vogel, a Hall of Fame student-athlete and former coach in her own right, the Challenge embodies the full community of support that it takes to fulfill the department's aspirations.
"This Challenge is when we see the past, present and future of GW Athletics all come together as one," said Vogel. "Our past understands the discipline and commitment necessary to compete for championships now and in the future. It's inspiring to see that G-Dub pride pour in from all corners of the globe to Raise High together."
Alumni, families and friends can continue to invest in student-athlete success by giving now. To learn more about GW Athletics Development, call 202.994.8412 or email buffblue@gwu.edu or to make a donation visit https://secure2.convio.net/gwu/site/Donation2?df_id=1704&mfc_pref=T&1704.donation=form1
The annual contest among GW's 27 intercollegiate teams, made possible through the outstanding philanthropic effort of GW Athletics Advisory Council Chair Michelle Rubin, ESIA '91, provided $25,000 in additional funding to the programs with the highest percentage of their alumni who made a gift to their team. The benefits are thusly twofold; increased financial support and engagement from alumni is the lifeblood of most programs, while Rubin's added boost further incentivized the sweepstakes.
"Every year the Buff & Blue Fund Challenge becomes a bigger success story," said Rubin. "I'm honored to be able to be a part of engaging our alumni community around our current student-athletes, and to see the inner competitive nature of our alumni across the world still burning as bright as ever is thrilling to watch. They're competing with the same discipline and excellence for their programs like their successors who wear the Buff and Blue today. That's what the Buff & Blue Fund Challenge is all about."
In the Buff Division, baseball earned the $7,000 first prize, while men's rowing claimed $3,000 courtesy of Rubin for the runner-up showing. Women's basketball took home Most Improved honors. On the Blue side, men's water polo topped the field to claim another $7,000, while gymnastics scored the $3,000 second place award. Men's cross country and track was Most Improved, befitting of a program that has seen its best seasons in recent years.
"The Buff and Blue Fund Challenge has always been a time for our alumni to step up and show their support for GW baseball," said Gregg Ritchie. "Once again they rose to the challenge. We're excited to build off this and plan to use the winning funds, generously given by Michelle Rubin, to purchase new audio and visual equipment in the locker room and clubhouse."
For Barry King, Head Coach of Men's Water Polo, who has now won back-to-back conference titles and was one of the final six teams nationwide vying for a National Championship in the fall, the support of his alumni coincides with the rise of the program.
"Once again, our alumni have shown inspiring support of our team's pursuit of championships," noted King. "We will use the extra funding to support our training and playing options in deep water. This a critical element of our continued improvement and ultimate goal to be an elite program nationally."
To men's rowing coach Mark Davis, as the saying goes, pain is weakness leaving the body, and with the additional funding, he'll purchase new ergometers.
"Thanks for helping us spread more pain across the team!", Davis joked, as men's rowing sets its sights on IRA Nationals this weekend.
Gymnastics coach Margie Foster Cunningham has cultivated an alumnae network more than three decades in the making who once again showed their respect for their alma mater.
"I'm so proud of my alumni participation and support," she said. "We are fortunate to have Michelle Rubin supporting this alumni effort, and we will be able to use these funds for our team building event in the fall!"
As for Terry Weir, who helms both the men's and women's cross country and track & field squads, the newbie to the leaderboard is excited for the traction he hopes will continue to take hold with alumni.
"Our alums know for our program to continue to grow and perform on the A-10 and national level, we must continue to train our student-athletes at a very high level with little interruption as possible. To that end the money our alums help raise will go directly to physiotherapy and massage work on our athletes."
For Athletics Director Tanya Vogel, a Hall of Fame student-athlete and former coach in her own right, the Challenge embodies the full community of support that it takes to fulfill the department's aspirations.
"This Challenge is when we see the past, present and future of GW Athletics all come together as one," said Vogel. "Our past understands the discipline and commitment necessary to compete for championships now and in the future. It's inspiring to see that G-Dub pride pour in from all corners of the globe to Raise High together."
Alumni, families and friends can continue to invest in student-athlete success by giving now. To learn more about GW Athletics Development, call 202.994.8412 or email buffblue@gwu.edu or to make a donation visit https://secure2.convio.
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