EASTON, Pa. - The Maroon Club's Friends of Cross Country/Track & Field 10-day challenge, which kicked off on Sunday, Nov. 15 and ended on Tuesday, Nov. 24, raised $19,914 from 204 donors, well exceeding the original goal of $15,000 from 200 donors. The challenge also significantly exceeded last year's mark of $13,000 from 167 donors. Highlighting the effort was 64 current student-athletes making gifts, as well as 96 alumni and 44 friends of the program.

"Our 10-day challenge was another big success," head cross country and track & field coach Michele Curcio said. "The great support of all participants will get us closer to finalizing plans for a southern competition trip early in the spring season, allow us to continue to provide a pair of spikes or trainers to every member of the team, and continue to upgrade capital items such as hurdles and jumping pits. Annual gifts to the Friends of Cross Country/Track & Field enable our staff to give the team every opportunity to compete for Patriot League titles in Cross Country and Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field."

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, the Maroon Club's Friends of Cross Country/Track & Field have a goal of $50,000. Gifts to the Cross Country/Track & Field program support enhanced recruiting budgets, provide additional funding for assistant coaches' salaries, and supplement budgets for apparel, uniforms, equipment and travel expenses. Maroon Club general gifts support the Oaks Leadership Academy, strength and conditioning programs, athletic training resources, the bi-annual Career Development Series and other department-wide programs.

All gifts are part of Lafayette College's $400 million Live Connected, Lead Change campaign. Support for athletics is a key objective of the campaign. Learn more at liveconnected.lafayette.edu.

For more information on the Maroon Club or the Friends of Cross Country/Track & Field, contact Joe Giaimo, Executive Director of the Maroon Club, at (610) 330-3116 or giaimoj@lafayette.edu.