OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – The UW-Oshkosh Athletic Department has launched their new Rise as One campaign, which aims to support their athletic programs in spirit – and financially.
Spring sports cut short. Fall sports canceled. And any fundraising efforts to support the 19 teams of athletes at UW-Oshkosh? The pandemic said ‘forget about it.’
“All summer long, a lot of our programs missed out on their fundraising opportunities and numerous other things better programs do to raise a lot of money,” said Athletic Development Director Matt Kelliher. “Without having a chance to do that because of the pandemic, we decided to push out this campaign where we can help alleviate that and try and raise some money for our programs.”
The campaign wouldn’t just cover the basic costs of keeping the lights on at Kolf Sports Center or providing newer, better equipment for athletes either.
“Possibly raise some money too, for if we do get back to where we do participate and play – to help offset costs for COVID testing because the NCAA has serious regulations that we’d need to follow,” Kelliher said.
Meanwhile, Kelliher says athletes are feeling the strain that everyone else is feeling during these times as well. It’s also unclear if spring athletes will miss yet another season, or what will happen with winter sports.
But Kelliher is optimistic as teams are continuing to practice.
“They’re just grinding along, hoping that it’s going to happen where we can actually get out and start playing other school…They’re waiting to hear ‘Yes, it’s a go’ or ‘No, it’s not a go.’ It’s like we’re playing in limbo. I think these athletes are doing a really , really good job of focusing on the big picture and realizing that now is a time to get better,” Kelliher told WTAQ News. “There might be some schools that aren’t doing that. So I feel like our programs are getting better right now, so when we do get to that competitive stage – we’re actually going to be better off. But obviously, we’d love to just be playing games right now.”
Kelliher says all of the programs are in it as one whole group rising together – and that the university is backing them as much as possible.
For more information or to donate, visit uwo.sh/one.
