The Daemen College community is coming together to help raise support to purchase new track spikes for student-athletes on the men’s and women’s track and field teams, an effort being spearheaded by a college faculty member.
Kicked off in December, the fundraising effort was prompted by Dr. Denise Mills, associate professor of Spanish, who became aware of the track team’s need for spikes from student-athletes in her classes.
“A couple students on the track team brought to my attention that resources for team gear comes mostly from fundraising efforts, such as camps and other activities, which are usually done by the larger athletic programs,” said Mills. “With the track and field teams not having these kind of resources available, this effort will help generate funding to buy spikes that are greatly needed, and give the campus community the opportunity to give back to our students who work so hard in the classroom and on the field.”
Mills reached out to Dr. Kevin Telford, faculty-athletics representative, to bring the idea to Daemen Athletics and to get the fundraiser for the track and field teams underway on campus. Since starting the effort, nearly $1,100 in support has been raised toward buying track spikes for 50 athletes on the men’s and women’s teams.
“We are so touched by the thoughtfulness of our faculty and staff who continue to show their support for our student-athletes in many different ways,” said Brandi Guerinot, interim athletics director. “This fundraiser for our track and field student-athletes is just another example of that support. I want to thank Dr. Denise Mills for her inspiration to get this fundraiser started and the many faculty and staff who have contributed.”
Donations of any size are welcome to help the reach goal of buying spikes for all of Daemen’s track and field student-athletes. For information on making a donation, contact Mike Miranto, senior associate athletics director for external operations and communications, at mmiranto@daemen.edu or call 839-8385.