Athletics Day of Giving set for Sept. 22

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Jeff Helsel

Cal U Head Tennis Coach Anita Onufer recording a video presentation for the annual Athletics Day of Giving scholarship fundraiser set for Sept. 22, 2020

Cal U Sports Information

California University of Pennsylvania will hold its third-annual Athletics Day of Giving scholarship fundraiser on Tuesday, Sept. 22. All money raised from the event will benefit the athletics scholarship fund for student-athletes.

Donations will be even more crucial for Cal U athletic programs this year, since home events, facility rentals, camps and clinics have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The pandemic has impacted every athletics team at Cal U and has placed great challenges in front of us from a fundraising and recruiting perspective,” said athletic director Dr. Karen Hjerpe. “As always, we are appreciative of the generosity in giving to Cal U Athletics and helping to continue to provide scholarships and opportunities to our student-athletes.”

The Day of Giving website is already active for donations, ahead of the formal event on Sept. 22. Contributions also will be accepted from those who wish to extend financial support after the event.

Cal U has partnered with GiveCampus, a digital fundraising and volunteer management platform, in preparation for this year’s event. Each of the athletic programs at Cal U has a unique page on the website, with a personalized video message from the head coach to the team’s alumni, fans and supporters.

“I’m looking forward to the third-annual Athletics Day of Giving,” said Randi Minerva, manager of Cal U’s annual giving programs. “We are excited to be able to engage and connect with Vulcans alumni to help them support Cal U in the way they are most passionate about.”

The website allows users to designate which program(s) they would like to support with donations and provides options for various challenge and match campaigns. Visitors to the site also can become advocates for an atheltics program by sharing the donation link on various social media platforms or via text and email.

Cal U Head Golf Coach Peter Coughlin (seated) prepares to record remarks for Athletics Day of Giving as CUTV’s Gary Smith and Sports Information Director Matt Kifer set up the camera equipment on Aug. 11, 2020. (Jeff Helsel)
Cal U Head Women’s Basketball Coach Jess Strom, standing in front of a statue that honors the basketball team’s national championships, records a promotional video for Athletics Annual Day of Giving set for Sept. 22, 2020. (Jeff Helsel)
CUTV’s Gary Smith records video of Head Softball Coach Rick Bertagnolli in the newly renovated dugout at Lily Field, Aug. 11, 2020 (Jeff Helsel)
Head Swimming Coach April Gitzen records promotional video for the upcoming Athletics Day of Giving for scholarships set for Sept. 22, 2020. (Jeff Helsel)
Head Men’s Basketball Coach Danny Sancomb prepares to record a video in front of the Cal U Convocation Center for the third annual Athletics Day of Giving Sept. 22, 2020. (Jeff Helsel)
Head Women’s Soccer Coach Pete Curtis recording remarks at Phillipsburg Soccer Facility for Cal U Athletics Day of Giving for scholarships Sept. 22, 2020. (Jeff Helsel)
Assistant Track and Field Coach Sandy Estep makes a video recording at Adamson Stadium on Aug. 11, 2020 for the upcoming Cal U Athletics Day of Giving for scholarships on Sept. 22. (Jeff Helsel)
Assistant Track and Field Coach Brady Wert records a video on the Cross Country course at Roadman Park for the third annual Athletics Day of Giving for scholarships, Sept. 22, 2020. CUTV’s Gary Smith holds the microphone while Sports Information Director Matthew Kifer operates the video camera. (Jeff Helsel)
In the seats at Adamson Stadium, Head Football Coach Gary Dunn looks into the camera to review a video recording of his presentation for the upcoming Cal U Athletics Day of Giving fundraiser for scholarships set for Sept. 22, 2020. (Jeff Helsel)