A Welcome from AD Jermaine Truax - Bucknell University Athletics

Bison Nation,

As we approach the end of my fourth year as director of athletics and recreation at Bucknell, the one common theme that has stood out to me more than anything else is the sense of pride and togetherness that permeates the entire Bison Athletics family. Student-athletes, alumni, parents, and friends all share a common bond and are incredibly proud to wear the Orange & Blue as they represent this great University. Make no mistake, there have been significant challenges over the last few years brought on by the pandemic and the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics, but I am confident that we will continue to persevere because we will do it together.

That spirit of unity is typified by the success of our One Herd One Day 24-hour giving challenge. Together, we surpassed the $1-million milestone for the first time in 2021, when we raised a record $1,057,765 in support of Bucknell Athletics & Recreation. In April 2022, we surpassed that record with better than $1.2 million in donor support. Because of you, our 27 Division I teams, club-varsity, and club programs have received increased funding in key areas such as nutrition, leadership development, mental performance, academic support, and facility enhancements.

Whether earmarked to a specific program or to our unrestricted Bison Athletics Fund for Excellence, your gifts make an immediate and lasting impact on the success of our teams and student-athletes. Here are some recent examples of that success:

Led by national player of the year finalist Rade Joksimovic ’20, the men’s water polo team advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals in 2019 and then did it again the following season.
The field hockey team won its first-ever Patriot League championship and also made a run to the NCAA Elite Eight during the spring 2021 season.
The women’s basketball team came within one shot of knocking off Florida State in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, and this season the team won 24 games and advanced to the second round of the WNIT.
The women’s soccer team captured the 2021 Patriot League title after a terrific postseason run.
Last summer we proudly watched first-year Boati Motau represent her native South Africa at the Tokyo Olympics and sophomore sprinter Rayven Sample run for Team USA at the Paralympic Games.
Maura Fiamoncini ’21 posted the highest NCAA placement in Bucknell women’s track & field history when she finished third in the javelin throw at the 2021 NCAA Championships. Two weeks later, she placed seventh at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Senior Ashlyn Ramos won the spring 2021 Patriot League title and became the first Bison to qualify individually for two NCAA Women’s Cross Country Championships.
Senior Zach Hartman recently became the fourth Bison wrestler to make four NCAA Championship appearances, and he will graduate as a two-time All-American and an Academic All-American.
Bucknell Athletics continues to produce one of the highest student-athlete graduation-rate figures in the nation. Under the NCAA’s Graduation Success Rate (GSR) formula in the latest survey, 24 of Bucknell's 27 varsity programs, including all 14 women's programs, maintained perfect scores of 100, which led to an overall GSR of 98 percent. Additionally, according to the U.S. Department of Education's more-restrictive graduation-rate standards, Bucknell ranks sixth nationally with a four-class average of 89 percent.

As we strive to win conference championships, cultivate a holistic scholar-athlete experience, and provide unique opportunities in recreation, your involvement is critical.

Thank you for your continued support and investment as a member of the Bucknell family. If you would like to discuss your charitable interests, including giving via stock or a donor-advised fund (DAF), or ways to encourage others within your network, please contact senior associate athletic director Joel Moersch, at joel.moersch@bucknell.edu or (570) 577-1712.

Whether cheering on our Bison in competition or hearing about our impressive alumni success around the globe, I am beyond proud to represent the Orange & Blue as your director of athletics & recreation.

Sincerely,

Jermaine Truax

Bison Club support is the driving force behind Bucknell Athletics. Your donations directly impact the holistic development of more than 750 student-athletes who are building a foundation at Bucknell to become leaders and difference-makers around the globe. Make your gift online, or call 570-577-1771 to support your favorite Bison team today.

'ray Bucknell!