Besides having the highest percentage of its former student-athletes making gifts to the Phoenix Club, the team also placed third for its participation percentage increase.
With all the gifts made and the final numbers tallied, women’s golf has been declared the winner of the 2014 Budget Bonus Challenge.
Not only did the team have the highest percentage of its former student-athletes making gifts to the Phoenix Club with 39.22 percent, but it also claimed third with the biggest percentage increase in giving at 20.07 percent. Men’s basketball finished second with 26.11 percent of its former student-athletes making gifts.
Combining the $5,000 first place prize and the $2,000 third place prize, the women’s golf program will receive a total of $7,000 to its budget for the 2014-15 athletic year. Men’s basketball will be awarded an extra $3,000 for claiming second.
All gifts made by former student-athletes to Elon Athletics by May 31 counted toward the challenge. The two sports with the highest percentage of former student-athlete giving and the sport with the largest percentage increase receive a portion of the $10,000 donation in its budget. The Budget Bonus Challenge ran for the entire membership year, which began on June 1, 2013, and ended on May 31, 2014.
The Bonus Budget Challenge was made possible for a third straight year thanks to a generous donation by Mike and Mary Ellen Cross of Burlington.The first two years of the Budget Bonus Challenge has helped increase the giving percentage amongst former Elon student-athletes from nine percent to 18 percent, at its highest point. To see the final standings, visit the Elon Phoenix website.