Records fall on Marauders Day of Giving
3/2/2026 9:44:00 AM | General
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Millersville Athletics encouraged its supporters to give with pride on the 2026 Marauders Day of Giving, and that's exactly what happened. A total of 1,680 donors showed their Marauder Pride and gifted the department $826,739.39, setting department records in both categories.
The total dollars raised marked a 30% increase from the 2025 one day fundraising initiative, and the total number of donors was a 14% increase. Six teams saw increases in donations received, led by cheer, which jumped from 10 gifts to 104 (1,040%), and football, which jumped 547% from 2025 to 2026. 11 teams raised more funds in 2026.
The department held five leaderboard challenges co-sponsored by the Millersville University Alumni Association and Northwestern Mutual with the winning teams receiving an additional $1,000 to fundraising totals. On the women's team side, cross country and track and field led in the most pledge dollars and most dollars raised, with $80,011--a 315% increase from the previous year. Cheer brought in an extra $2,000 for its wins in the gift increase and dollar increase challenges, and women's lacrosse topped all teams for most gifts with 150.
Among men's teams, football topped the lists for greatest increase in gifts and increase in dollars raised, totaling $104,490. The baseball team led in most gifts (285) and dollars raised ($167,703.69) as it targeted improves to its clubhouse. The golf program, led by the establishment of its first quasi-endowment but 1986 alum Pete Reckert, won the challenge for most pledge dollars.
The Marauders Day of Giving was the first stand-alone fundraising effort for athletics after previously being a part of the Millersville One Day Give. The University's One Day Give continues in 2026 on April 16-17.
Donations received on the Marauders Day of Giving are utilized for student-athlete scholarships, facility enhancements and program improvements, such as gear, travel and player development.
