EASTON, Pa. – Lafayette athletics is making significant changes to its fundraising efforts with the establishment of the Maroon Club Excellence Fund, while enhancing sport-specific giving options. Now, you have a choice. You can choose to elevate all sports through a gift to the Maroon Club Excellence Fund or you can direct 100 percent of your gift to your favorite team through the Maroon Club.

ABOUT THE MAROON CLUB EXCELLENCE FUND 

In an increasingly competitive college sports environment, the ability to meet new and emerging needs of our student-athletes is paramount. The Maroon Club Excellence Fund supports every one of Lafayette's 625 student-athletes (all 23 Division I sports), by backing department-wide initiatives. 

The endeavors include:

Nutrition: Our student-athletes need to be properly fueled to compete at the highest level. With the consistent consultation of a nutritionist, we have implemented a training table for select teams and developed customized meal plans for our student-athletes based on their performance and recovery needs. Additionally, we have installed fueling stations at several of our athletic facilities, providing on-demand nutritional supplements.

Programming: Leadership training, academic support services, guest lectures, professional networking and other opportunities help shape our student-athletes' experiences. Additionally, we kick off the school year with a welcome-back event for student-athletes and close the year with the PARDees, our student-athlete awards ceremony. 

Sports psychology: The mental component of competing in college athletics, along with the overall mental health of our student-athletes, has become a primary focus in the last decade. We seek to ensure that our student-athletes' mental preparation rises to the level of their physical readiness. 

Sports performance: Data analytics produced by wearable technology allows the sports performance and coaching staff to get the most out of training on the field and in the weight room. This technology helps determine peak performance levels while also playing a key role in injury prevention in consultation with the athletic training staff. 

Facilities: Athletic facilities on our campus are shared spaces, so the maintenance of them is of the utmost importance. The Maroon Club Strength Center, Kirby Sports Center, and the newly-dedicated Wallach Sports Performance and Lacrosse Center serve all of our student-athletes, and we look to continue to develop all of our facilities to meet the unique scheduling and facility needs of our teams.

Seizing the Moment: Our coaches need to have flexibility in funding to take a game-changing training trip with their team, to celebrate championships and to foster team bonding through meaningful off-field experiences.

In addition to supporting the Maroon Club Excellence Fund, which supports all athletes, donors can also support an individual sport or sports, knowing that 100 percent of your gift will go towards that area.

For more information about supporting Lafayette Athletics, please contact Joe Samaritano '91 (610-330-5047) or Dan Cason (610-330-5039).

ABOUT THE MAROON CLUB/FRIENDS GROUPS
Lafayette College's primary fundraising and engagement arm for athletics is the Maroon Club for which the Lafayette Friends Groups are the backbone. These sport-specific alumni and parent groups play a vital role in supporting our 23 Division I teams, driving philanthropic support, building strong community ties, and enhancing the overall student-athlete experience. United under the Maroon Club banner, the Friends groups ensure that Lafayette Athletics continues to thrive. Their passion and generosity fuel success and create lifelong connections between supporters and the programs they champion.