Elon surpasses goals set in final year of Worsley Match

The third and final year of the Worsley Match ended in October with former student-athletes giving back in record numbers.

Cecil Worsley '86 and wife JoAnna '87
The initiative, made possible by a 2:1 matching gift from former Elon golfer Cecil Worsley ’86 and his wife, JoAnna ’87, far exceeded its goal.
 
The Phoenix Club received a total of 351 gifts totaling more than $137,000 this October, exceeding last year’s amount by more than $4,000 and the amount from 2011 by nearly $30,000.
 
In all, student-athletes made a total of 951 gifts over the last three Octobers, totaling $379,507.74.
 
“It has been very exciting to see the incredible support from our former student-athletes through the Worsley Match over the last three years,” said Elon Director of Athletics Dave Blank. “This support speaks volumes about how our former student-athletes remember Elon as they chose to financially support those who have followed in their footsteps. “We are very appreciative of the generosity of Cecil and JoAnna for making this initiative possible and to our former student-athletes for stepping up in record numbers.”
 
A former member of the golf team, Worsley has been a strong supporter of Elon Athletics for many years. On September 4, 2009, Elon dedicated the W. Cecil Worsley III Golf Training Center on South Campus, which was funded through a generous gift from the Worsley family. The facility serves as the headquarters for both the men’s and women’s golf programs and includes an indoor practice area with hitting bays and a computerized swing analysis center as well as a putting area and players’ lounge.
 
In 2012, the Worsley’s were honored as two of the Southern Conference Distinguished Service Award winners.
 
The Worsleys are members of the Phoenix Club IMPACT Circle and the Founder’s Circle for Elon University and reside in Wilmington, N.C.