One of the most important days for the Chico State Athletics department has arrived: Giving Day. Since it began in 2017, the support of our #WildcatFamily has been the key ingredient to our student-athletes success in both competition and in the classroom.  
 
The 2023 edition of Giving Day saw 1,370 donors combined to give $202,584 to athletics, which has made an immediate impact to the student-athletes. That smashed the previous record of donors. Since 2017, thanks to your support, Chico State Athletics has received well over $700,000.
 
Chico State Athletics will be asking for your support again as the Wildcats continue to maintain their distinguished status as one of the most competitive Athletics departments in the CCAA, the west region and across the nation. Thanks to your support over the years, Chico State has continued to see great success on the field, court and course.
 
Your contribution to Athletics has helped put the Wildcats well into the hunt for the Robert J. Hiegert Commissioner's Cup – awarded to the conference institution with the best overall athletics performance in a given academic year. As we now enter the home stretch of the 2023-24 season, the Wildcats are neck-and-neck for first place in the Hiegert Cup.
 
Because of your support, the Wildcat cross country teams continue their success on the course. The Wildcat men hit blackjack by winning their 21^st consecutive CCAA Championship, rolled a lucky 7 to win their seventh straight NCAA West Regional title while appearing in their 24^th NCAA Championship meet. Their women counterpart also made an appearance at the national meet along with reclaiming the CCAA throne with a conference meet win.
 
Your support also played a part to the men's soccer team as their impressive regular season performance earned them an NCAA Super Regional berth for the first time in five years. The women's soccer program also earned a spot to the conference tournament for the fifth time in the last seven years.
 
Let's not forget how your support helped the Chico State men's golf team along with several members of the Chico State women's track & field team qualify for their respective NCAA Championships last spring.
 
The Wildcats also continue to excel in the classroom. Last season, more than 300 student-athletes in Athletics contributed to a department-wide 3.13 grade-point average. Ninety-nine student-athletes were recognized on the CCAA's All-Academic team while 88 individuals caught the eyes of the Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) to help make up a record-breaking 19,646 student-athletes from 196 institutions across the country to earn the Academic Achievement Award. And we also saw former men's basketball student-athlete Brennan Wheeler began a streak by winning the CCAA's Impact Award for demonstrating outstanding citizenship and engagement throughout the individual's campus and community. It is the second straight year a Wildcat has won the distinct honor. Women's golf alumna and former Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President Taylor Stewart won the award last year.
 
Your generosity has provided the programs and support to help student-athletes continue to reach new heights in and away from competition.
 
Please help us keep the tradition going with your gift. Donate to your favorite athletics program or contribute to the department's priority funds.
 
You can also help us achieve our goal by becoming a Giving Day Ambassador for a team you support. Your participation makes a significant difference and inspires others to give a gift.
 
Finally, thanks to the generous support of George ('66) and Vicki Buonaccorsi, Andrea Bordzilowski ('03), Mark Stahl ('75), Holy Butler, Stuart Casillas ('96), Ted Howard, Erika Sander ('63), Jay Gilbert ('69), Becky Rinaldi, Scott Dickson and Heather Halliday Dickson ('95) with establishing matching gifts across the department.