WASHINGTON, D.C. — After a sprint to the finish that nearly required overtime or extra innings to decide it, the annual George Washington University Buff & Blue Fund Challenge wrapped up last week with men’s water polo and baseball securing the top prizes.
The annual contest among GW’s 27 intercollegiate teams, made possible through the outstanding philanthropic effort of GW Athletics Advisory Council Chair Michelle Rubin, ESIA ’91, provided $25,000 in additional funding to the programs with the highest percentage of their alumni who made a gift to their team. The benefits are thusly twofold; increased financial support and engagement from alumni is the lifeblood of most programs, while Rubin’s added boost further incentivized the sweepstakes.
“Every year the Buff & Blue Fund Challenge becomes a bigger success story,” said Rubin. “I’m honored to be able to be a part of engaging our alumni community around our current student-athletes, and to see the inner competitive nature of our alumni across the world still burning as bright as ever is thrilling to watch. They’re competing with the same discipline and excellence for their programs like their successors who wear the Buff and Blue today. That’s what the Buff & Blue Fund Challenge is all about.”
In the Buff Division, baseball earned the $7,000 first prize, while men’s rowing claimed $3,000 courtesy of Rubin for the runner-up showing. Women’s basketball took home Most Improved honors. On the Blue side, men’s water polo topped the field to claim another $7,000, while gymnastics scored the $3,000 second place award. Men’s cross country and track was Most Improved, befitting of a program that has seen its best seasons in recent years.
“The Buff and Blue Fund Challenge has always been a time for our alumni to step up and show their support for GW baseball,” said Gregg Ritchie. “Once again they rose to the challenge. We’re excited to build off this and plan to use the winning funds, generously given by Michelle Rubin, to purchase new audio and visual equipment in the locker room and clubhouse.”
For Barry King, head coach of men’s water polo, who has now won back-to-back Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) titles and was one of the final six teams nationwide vying for a National Championship in the Fall at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship, the support of his alumni coincides with the rise of the program.
“Once again, our alumni have shown inspiring support of our team’s pursuit of championships,” noted King. “We will use the extra funding to support our training and playing options in deep water. This a critical element of our continued improvement and ultimate goal to be an elite program nationally.”
Release courtesy George Washington University Athletics Communications
