University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Cover Entire Country for 2016 Thank-A-Thon
4/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
April 21, 2016 Gopher student-athletes hung up the phone on the last calls of the 2016 Thank-A-Thon on Wednesday afternoon, capping off a 10-day stretch during which 152 student-athletes placed 5,619 calls to donors in all 50 states (and five Canadian provinces), a first in the history of the event.
The Thank-A-Thon has become a spring tradition for Gopher Athletics over the past decade-plus, with Gopher student-athletes dialing up donors to thank them for their support, whether they gave $25 or $25,000. The event has become a favorite among student-athletes over the years.
"For so many student-athletes, this is a dream come true to be here (at the University of Minnesota). For us to be able to go out there and thank (the donors) and get the opportunity to speak to them is huge. I really hope they can feel how much we appreciate that just through one simple phone call," said Gopher soccer player Simone Kolander.
At its core, the Thank-A-Thon is intended to directly connect student-athletes with donors. The current crop of Gophers dial up donors and share their experiences at the U of M, providing firsthand accounts of how those donors have helped make it possible for these young men and women to excel while at the U and prepare to succeed throughout the rest of their lives.
The Thank-A-Thon is "a really good opportunity to get on phone, call them, talk to them personally and thank them for all the support they give us," said Gopher hockey's Jack Ramsey.
Donor support is critical to the success of Gopher Athletics and its student-athletes. These funds go to support student-athletes through scholarships, student-athlete development programs and facilities improvements, like the new Athletes Village. The generosity of donors makes it possible for Gopher Athletics to provide a comprehensive collegiate experience to every student-athlete.
To learn more about how you can support Gopher student-athletes, contact the Golden Gopher Fund at (612) 626-4653 or find more information here on GoldenGopherFund.com.
The Thank-A-Thon has become a spring tradition for Gopher Athletics over the past decade-plus, with Gopher student-athletes dialing up donors to thank them for their support, whether they gave $25 or $25,000. The event has become a favorite among student-athletes over the years.
"For so many student-athletes, this is a dream come true to be here (at the University of Minnesota). For us to be able to go out there and thank (the donors) and get the opportunity to speak to them is huge. I really hope they can feel how much we appreciate that just through one simple phone call," said Gopher soccer player Simone Kolander.
At its core, the Thank-A-Thon is intended to directly connect student-athletes with donors. The current crop of Gophers dial up donors and share their experiences at the U of M, providing firsthand accounts of how those donors have helped make it possible for these young men and women to excel while at the U and prepare to succeed throughout the rest of their lives.
The Thank-A-Thon is "a really good opportunity to get on phone, call them, talk to them personally and thank them for all the support they give us," said Gopher hockey's Jack Ramsey.
Donor support is critical to the success of Gopher Athletics and its student-athletes. These funds go to support student-athletes through scholarships, student-athlete development programs and facilities improvements, like the new Athletes Village. The generosity of donors makes it possible for Gopher Athletics to provide a comprehensive collegiate experience to every student-athlete.
To learn more about how you can support Gopher student-athletes, contact the Golden Gopher Fund at (612) 626-4653 or find more information here on GoldenGopherFund.com.
Players Mentioned
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