George Washington University Athletics
2026 Buff & Blue Fund Challenge Shatters Records
10/5/2026 9:00:00 AM | Baseball, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Swimming and Diving, Gymnastics, Women's Swimming and Diving, Water Polo
GW Athletics announced a record-shattering performance in the annual Buff & Blue Fund Challenge, generating over $574,000 from more than 1,500 donors. This year's campaign outperformed the previous mark set in 2024 to achieve the highest single-campaign total in the initiative's history.
Driven by an outpouring of support from across the world, the annual competition serves as the main fundraising engine for GW's varsity sports programs. This year, the campaign included a halftime challenge, the top two programs who brought in the most dollars were awarded a prize from alumnae Annemargaret Connolly, JD '88 and her husband Ken Frank.Â
"Thank you to the entire GW Athletics family of supporters who gave so generously in support of our 400 student-athletes and 20 varsity teams during this year's Buff & Blue Fund Challenge. Your investment directly supports the success of our student-athletes and programs", said associate vice president and athletic director Michael Lipitz.Â
Funds raised directly support key areas of the student-athlete experience, including scholarships, team travel, nutrition, academic services, and mental health resources.
2026 Challenge Category Winners
This year's campaign featured competition across key award categories, bolstered by a generous challenge match from alumni and 1732 Circle member Rich DiPippo, BA '79:
Most Donors
1st Place: Women's Swimming and Diving
2nd Place: Baseball
Most Dollars Raised
1st Place: Baseball
2nd Place: Men's Basketball
Most Improved on Total Donors from Last Year
1st Place: Women's Swimming and DivingÂ
2nd Place: Men's Swimming and DivingÂ
Highest Former Student-Athlete Participation Rate
1st Place: Water Polo
2nd Place: Gymnastics
While the official competition period for this year's challenge has concluded, alumni and fans can continue supporting GW Athletics year-round by visiting go.gwu.edu/give2athletics.
Driven by an outpouring of support from across the world, the annual competition serves as the main fundraising engine for GW's varsity sports programs. This year, the campaign included a halftime challenge, the top two programs who brought in the most dollars were awarded a prize from alumnae Annemargaret Connolly, JD '88 and her husband Ken Frank.Â
"Thank you to the entire GW Athletics family of supporters who gave so generously in support of our 400 student-athletes and 20 varsity teams during this year's Buff & Blue Fund Challenge. Your investment directly supports the success of our student-athletes and programs", said associate vice president and athletic director Michael Lipitz.Â
Funds raised directly support key areas of the student-athlete experience, including scholarships, team travel, nutrition, academic services, and mental health resources.
2026 Challenge Category Winners
This year's campaign featured competition across key award categories, bolstered by a generous challenge match from alumni and 1732 Circle member Rich DiPippo, BA '79:
Most Donors
1st Place: Women's Swimming and Diving
2nd Place: Baseball
Most Dollars Raised
1st Place: Baseball
2nd Place: Men's Basketball
Most Improved on Total Donors from Last Year
1st Place: Women's Swimming and DivingÂ
2nd Place: Men's Swimming and DivingÂ
Highest Former Student-Athlete Participation Rate
1st Place: Water Polo
2nd Place: Gymnastics
While the official competition period for this year's challenge has concluded, alumni and fans can continue supporting GW Athletics year-round by visiting go.gwu.edu/give2athletics.
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