For the Win

Photo: 247sports.com

I would be remiss if I did not start my Crossties article off this week by mentioning the events of Monday night and I hope you will be impressed by how I manage to pivot to my intended message highlighting our Three Days of Giving from April 23 to 25.  So, here goes…
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The jaded among us have long since relegated college athletics to the status of minor league professional sports. We support our teams, buying tickets to see the games, purchasing licensed sportswear in support of the college or university, and/or donating to the school to support the “student athletes.”  You notice that I put “student athletes” in quotation marks, as so often the athletes for whom we cheer are remarkably different than the student bodies they represent.

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That is why it was so refreshing to see the UVA players speak about the journey that led to their remarkable win this past Monday, quoting Ted Talks, and wishing they could be back in Charlottesville to celebrate with their friends. They represented the University at such a high level that I do not even want to think about how difficult it is going to be to get a student into UVA next year with the increased admissions numbers that are bound to follow.  It is good to see that the financial support that a major research university provides to athletics has resulted in athletic success, not a cost to the institution.

We all choose to make charitable donations to good causes. Many of us give to our university and I know a few members of The Cavalier Club were glad to see they could score a ticket to the game last Monday. It feels good to see your charitable dollars make a difference, whether, in this case, success on the basketball court or support of engaging student athletes.

North Cross also raises funds to support the broad variety of programs we offer.  I know you have heard me before when I tell you that tuition only covers about 90% of what we do on campus.  Our development department has done an incredible job of showing you all of the things that happen on our campus that come from your support.  It is easy to ignore, as the funds work behind the scenes in sometimes less than glamorous ways, but your Annual Fund gift does indeed make a difference.
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Starting on April 23, we will celebrate three Days of Giving, highlighting some of the families who have seen their children grow up on this campus and some who have just begun their journey here. You’ll hear of a series of challenge gifts designed to get us to our goal of $280,000. I hope you will take the time over these three days to realize, through their stories, how far we are able to take our students. Perhaps they will compel you to reflect on your own child(ren)’s rich experience(s). More important, I hope they compel you to make an annual fund pledge.

​I can’t promise state championships or top college admissions but I do know that we will make the very most possible out of your donation.  More definitely happens here.