Holy Cross Athletics Sets Fundraising Records in 2024-25

WORCESTER, Mass. — In another record-setting year for Holy Cross Athletics, 4,786 donors contributed $3.56 million to the Crusader Athletics Fund (CAF) during the 2025 fiscal year. This marks a new benchmark for dollars raised and total donors, surpassing the previous record set in 2019 by more than 500 donors — and an 11 percent increase from fiscal year 2024. In addition, 12 teams set new records for either total donors or total dollars raised.

In fiscal year 2025, Holy Cross Athletics also received generous commitments in support of key initiatives with $500,000 committed to the Women’s Excellence Endowment, $1.5 million committed to student-athlete excellence and $8.5 million in commitments to our recently launched $25 million Hockey Enhancement Project that will address endowment, facility and annual needs for our men’s and women’s ice hockey programs.

“As our programs reached new levels of excellence in 2024-25, we are incredibly grateful for the generosity and loyalty of our alumni, families, and fans,” said Kit Hughes, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and interim Vice President for Advancement. “Their contributions not only fueled transformational experiences for our student-athletes this year, but are also helping to build a brighter future for the next generations of Crusaders. I am inspired by the work of our community to support our vision of comprehensive, sustainable excellence. All I can say is ‘Thank you!'”

The success of this year was powered by our donor community investing in our student-athletes and teams. Highlights from this year include:

• Men’s ice hockey had a record-breaking number of donors
• Women’s lacrosse saw its total number of donors increase by 24 percent from the previous year
• Women’s golf alumnae giving participation rose by 8 percent to 31.8 percent in fiscal year 2025
• Men’s lacrosse saw a 22 percent increase in total giving to their program
• Women’s basketball set a record for alumnae participation with 25.5 percent of alumnae making a gift as it celebrated 50 years of varsity women’s basketball at Holy Cross
• Men’s rowing set a new benchmark for total dollars raised and total number of donors with 500 people making a gift to the program
• 100 percent of senior student-athletes made a gift to Holy Cross for the second consecutive year
• 42 percent of alumni student-athletes made a gift
• 71 percent of current parents of our student-athletes made a gift
• $160,000 raised for two international team travel opportunities
• $1.24 million raised through annual Power of Purple Giving Day

“As I reflect on my time at Holy Cross, I am grateful for the transformational experience I had — much of which was made possible by the generous support of the Crusader Athletics Fund,” said Molly O’Connor ’25, former president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and a member of the women’s track and field team. “Thanks to the support of so many, not only were my teammates and I able to set records and reach new heights, but there is also a stronger foundation set for future success in the coming years.”

For those looking to support Holy Cross Athletics and our student-athletes’ pursuit of comprehensive excellence in 2025-26, visit goholycross.com/CAF for more information or to make your gift now. 

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