The Red Wolf Athletics Challenge began November 9. The men’s and women’s basketball teams are fundraising separately to raise $2,500 and unlock a matching gift from a Community Champion

The second annual Red Wolf Athletics Challenge is underway. The challenge began Monday, November 9, during Homecoming week.

Indiana University East’s NAIA athletics teams are challenged to raise $2,500 per program in donations from now until November 20.

Teams that reach the $2,500 goal unlock a matching $2,500 gift from a community champion, resulting in a potential total benefit of at least $5,000 for teams meeting the challenge.

Red Wolf teams will use the contributions for needed equipment and gear, for scholarships, and for special travel and new experiences for the student-athletes.

Men’s and women’s tennis teams will participate in the challenge together.

IU East Director of Athletics Joe Griffin said the challenge match focuses on supporting student-athletes as they improve their performance in the classroom as well as on the field or court.

“Our Community Champions and supporters have a lot of Red Wolf pride,” Griffin said. “The challenge is a great way for our student-athletes to participate in developing their programs while connecting with the fans and community members that celebrate their accomplishments.”

Red Wolves Athletics is continuing to offer events this fall, with limited spectator access due to COVID-19 guidelines established by the NAIA, River States Conference, IU and IU East, and Wayne County.

The men’s and women’s golf teams are fundraising separately to reach the $2,500 goal.

“The student-athlete experience has been impacted by COVID, and support in this challenge would give the department more means to make the student-athlete experience as positive as it is supposed to be,” Griffin said.

For the Athletics Challenge, teams that practice and travel together are grouped together.

Programs include:

The men’s and women’s cross country teams and the men’s and women’s track and field teams will work together to reach the $2,500 goal.

• Men’s Basketball
• Women’s Basketball
• Men’s and Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field
• Men’s Golf
• Women’s Golf
• Men’s Soccer
• Women’s Soccer
• Men’s and Women’s Tennis
• Volleyball

IU East athletes succeeded in competition and in the classroom during the 2019-20 school year.

The IU East volleyball team will fund raise on its own to reach $2,500 goal and reach the Community Champion match.

The Red Wolf athletics program won more River States Conference championships in 2019-20 than any school in the league. IU East athletes also posted a 3.28 GPA during the 2019-20 school year, the highest department GPA in program history.

The inaugural Red Wolf Athletics Challenge in 2019 raised nearly $50,000 in total contributions.

To support an IU East team, contact IU East Director of Gift Development Paula Kay King at 765-973-8331 or at pkayking@iue.edu.

For more information, visit iue.edu/event/athletics-challenge.html.