Bucknell Donors Contribute a Record $2.2 Million During One Herd One Day Giving Challenge

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- After topping the $2 million mark for the first time a year ago, alumni, parents, and friends of Bucknell Athletics & Recreation came together in unprecedented fashion on March 25-26; setting yet another record during the annual One Herd One Day giving challenge. With the help of 4,138 supportive donors, also a new mark, $2,271,273 was generated for Bison Athletics & Recreation in just 24 hours (plus a brief overtime).

"On behalf of our coaches, administration, and varsity and club sport student-athletes, we are incredibly grateful to the thousands of alumni, parents, and friends who once again stepped forward to support One Herd One Day. The record-setting generosity and participation we witnessed demonstrate the strength of the Bucknell community and a shared commitment to helping our student-athletes compete for championships while preparing for lifelong success," said Tim Pavlechko '91, vice president for athletics & recreation. "We are proud of what our community accomplished and excited about the momentum it creates as we continue to build an even stronger future for Bison Athletics & Recreation."

The Bison football program (Gridiron Club) shattered its previous program records, as well as the department records, by raising $347,335 from 543 supportive donors. Men's lacrosse also had a banner day, becoming just the second program to top the $200,000 mark ($224,511) behind a record 280 donors. The baseball program continued its run a great success in the challenge, finishing third with $173,386 and 268 donors.

Women's rowing finished as the top women's program, almost doubling both its previous highs in dollars ($81,866) and donors (240) under first-year head coach Katy Ruderman. Women's soccer (194, $80,302) and women's golf (50, $59,085) rounded out the top three women's programs.

Out of the 29 varsity fundraising accounts, 15 saw increases from 2025, and 10 set One Herd One Day team records. These included football, men's lacrosse, men's and women's basketball, wrestling, men's & women's water polo, women's rowing, men's golf, and women's swimming & diving.

On the club sports side of the campaign, men's crew turned in another banner performance, leading the way with 487 donors and $317,550, both new program standards. Men's rugby finished second with 91 donors and $10,386, followed by ice hockey with 20 donors for $10,145.

Of the 4,138 One Herd One Day donors, a record number 90 committed matching or challenge gifts that sparked the fundraising effort with over $1 million. In an effort to encourage early involvement, 86 of these commitments were pledged prior to March 25.

"One Herd One Day continues to highlight the strength and togetherness of the alumni network here at Bucknell," said senior associate director of athletics for revenue generation Josh Bowerman. "While the results of this year's campaign were record-setting, our alumni, along with the parents and friends of our programs, understand that there is much to be done as we all work diligently together to enhance the experiences for over 750 varsity student-athletes and hundreds more through our club sport and recreational offerings. I look forward to that collaboration as the university prepares to launch a new comprehensive fundraising campaign in the near future."

Following the top three varsity programs were four additional sports which all topped the $100,000 mark: men's basketball ($118,353), men's golf ($116,389), men's soccer ($112,702), and Spiked Shoe ($103,742).

For the eighth year running, men's golf led the varsity programs in average gift size at $1,617, followed by women's golf ($1,182), men's lacrosse ($802), men's basketball ($738), and men's crew ($652).

"This was a total team effort," said Bison Club director Todd Newcomb '88, P'19. "The enthusiasm and competitive nature of our varsity and club sport student-athletes and coaches, combined with the tireless efforts of our One Herd One Day team, was outstanding. None of this would have been possible without the incredible generosity of our donors, and we appreciate every single person who contributed to this campaign."

Varsity Program Rankings – Total Donors (* new high)
1.    Gridiron Club (Football) 543*
2.    Grappler Club (Wrestling)              386
3.    Spikes Shoe Club (XC, T&F) 324
4.    Men's Lacrosse 280*
5.    Baseball 268
6.    Women's Rowing 240*
7.    Women's Soccer 194*
8.    Men's Soccer 189
9.    Backcourt Club (Men's Basketball) 160
10.   Women's Swimming & Diving 132

Varsity Program Rankings – Total Dollars Donated (* new high)
1.    Gridiron Club (Football)               $347,335*
2.    Men's Lacrosse $224,511*
3.    Baseball $173,386
4.    Backcourt Club (Men's Basketball) $118,353*
5.    Men's Golf $116,389*
6.    Men's Soccer $112,702
7.    Spiked Shoe (XC, T&F)                  $103,742
8.    Grappler Club (Wrestling) $95,503*
9.    Women's Rowing $81,866*
10.   Women's Soccer $80,302

Club Sport Program Rankings – Total Donors (* new high)
1. Men's Crew 487*
2. Men's Rugby 91
3. Ice Hockey 20
4. Men's Soccer 14
Women's Basketball 14
Women's Lacrosse 14

Club Sport Program Rankings – Total Dollars Donated (* new high)
1. Men's Crew    $317,550*
2. Men's Rugby        $10,386
3. Ice Hockey         $10,145*
4. Men's Squash       $4,400
5. Women's Squash                             $3,745

Click here for the full leaderboard.

Bucknell University Athletics

Bucknell Donors Contribute a Record $2.2 Million During One Herd One Day Giving Challenge

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