Tomorrow, Detroit Mercy launches Clash of the Titans, a new giving competition to help support the University’s NCAA Division I athletic teams. This special fundraiser runs from Nov. 7 to Dec. 5.
The idea behind the event is to increase financial support for teams from alumni and friends, and create a friendly competition to determine which Detroit Mercy Division I team can raise the most funds to support specific program needs.
Clash of the Titans uses the institution’s crowdfunding platform through the Office of Annual Giving, said Ann Fisher, executive director of the Office.
“We wanted to find a way to help our teams fulfill some important needs,” Fisher said. “In our first year using our own crowdfunding platform, we raised almost $40,000 for programs, services and other mission-based efforts. It’s been extremely helpful in raising much-needed funding for programs that would have otherwise gone unfunded.
“Because we have Division I athletic teams that have to travel around the country to compete, we wanted to see how the university could create additional means of support, and this seemed like the perfect fit. As a result, we created ‘Clash of the Titans’ as a friendly competition among our teams to get student-athletes and coaches directly involved in encouraging supporters to make contributions to support critical team needs.”
Detroit Mercy Titan teams will compete against one another and the team that raises the most funding support according to specific guidelines will receive an additional $5,000 contribution from the university.
Through crowdfunding, Detroit Mercy can effectively raise important support for programs, services and research activities through targeted efforts to ensure growth and sustainability. The University is always happy to accept donations of any amount to support a multitude of diverse projects.
The Clash of the Titans crowdfunding website is available online. #ClashoftheTitans
Currently, 13 Detroit Mercy teams have listed the following goals for their fundraising efforts.
- Cheer Team: New uniforms.
- Softball: Travel expenses associated with tournament play.
- Track & Field: Uniforms, shoes, team gear and travel expenses associated with seasonal competition.
- Men’s & Women’s Tennis: Equipment for practice and competition, as well as costs associated with travel outside the Midwest for conference play.
- Women’s Basketball: Updates for the locker room and coach’s office.
- Men’s Basketball: Travel overseas to play a team in another country.
- Women’s Soccer: New ceiling and ventilation system in the locker room, stadium lights for the turf field and dugouts for team bench areas.
- Men’s Soccer: Training equipment, gear, team training and travel expenses.
- Women’s Lacrosse: Locker room updates and travel to and from tournaments.
- Men’s Lacrosse: Sideline jackets and a machine to kill locker room germs.
- Women’s Golf: Improvements to the practice area at Calihan Hall, installation of a “Flight Scope” to assist players with swings and a “Sam Putting Lab” to help with putting skills.
- Men’s Golf: Travel to compete in events down south during winter months and increased practice time.
- Fencing: New uniforms.
Please consider making a contribution to any and all teams.
For more information, please visit the Clash of the Titans website or call the Detroit Mercy Office of Annual Giving at 313-993-1582. For more information on Detroit Mercy Athletics, please visit http://www.detroittitans.com.
