NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University Department of Athletics celebrated an historic 2023-24 season on Monteagle Ridge in competition, in the classroom, and with unprecedented fundraising success.
 
Highlighted by three MAAC Championships and two NCAA tournament appearances across women's swimming, women's lacrosse, and baseball, the Purple Eagles finished an all-time department-best third overall in the Richard J. Ensor, Esq., Commissioners Cup standings. In addition, Niagara finished second in the women's standings, its best overall finish in school history.
 
Also in the all-time best category, Monteagle Ridge celebrated yet another win: eclipsing the $1 million milestone in annual philanthropic funds raised to benefit Purple Eagles Athletics. 
 
"While Division I Athletics has long been an integral part of Niagara University, the dramatic increase in philanthropy throughout the last decade is breath taking," noted Associate Vice President for Athletics, Simon Gray. "The remarkable commitment from donors is a testament to the powerful impact that is generated from competitive success, academic excellence, and servant leadership.  I am so thankful to all of those who have invested in our athletics program and have enabled us to focus on the holistic student-athlete experience."
 
Just more than 10 years ago when Gray began his role at Niagara, annual support for athletics was $187,000. For perspective, Niagara University Athletics raised just short of $155,000 this past April 24th for the University's Day of Giving. Just one day.   
 
In 2023-24, Niagara saw an exponential increase in support from 873 donors making a total of 1,373 gifts that totaled $1,032,853. The increase in funding to the Purple Eagles can be attributed to the number of gifts and pledges over $25,000 as well as the significant increase in engagement seen throughout Niagara Athletics contests and events.
 
"Niagara University is a special place with an athletics history steeped in legendary people and performances," said athletics advancement officer, Steven Maciejewski.  "We have an incredibly passionate and generous alumni base who are always willing to tell Niagara's story and help in any way they can. Our goal is to connect with more alumni, fans, and community partners, and illustrate our case and outcomes for support". Our recent success in competition and success in fundraising are no coincidence – they are very much tied to one another. We know that when we are better positioned to provide an elite student-athlete experience, the better we can recruit, retain, and ultimately win more championships."
 
Maciejewski has worked alongside Gray for the last 16 months to elevate Athletics philanthropic efforts and create new opportunities to generate revenue for the betterment of Purple Eagles Student-Athletes. One shining example of alumni engagement to support student-athletes is the Central New York Purple Eagles Golf Classic which, in five years of existence, has contributed more than $150,000 to the athletics department.  A committee of Niagara Alumni based in the Syracuse region have made a significant impact with their initiative and drive.
 
Niagara University celebrates this achievement along with the completion of its most ambitious comprehensive campaign in history, surpassing $130M raised for the Powering Transformation Campaign.
 
"Our enterprise is undergoing unprecedented change and, in order to maintain this standard of success, we need the collective uplifting that is provided by our generous donors," Gray continued. "We are energized by the comprehensive and historic achievements from this past year and look forward to an inspiring future."
 
Resources are utilized to recruit and retain elite talent both in coaching and student-athletes, improve the student-athlete travel and competition experience, advance strength and conditioning, training, and nutrition availability, progress student-athlete professional development, and build toward the future of improved Athletics infrastructure on campus.
 
 
For more information on how to make a transformational gift to Niagara University Athletics, CLICK HERE or contact Steven Maciejewski via email smaciejewski@niagara.edu, or by phone 716.286.8792.
 
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