Springfield, Ohio — The Wittenberg University field hockey program traces a proud history all the way back to the 1930s. In recent years, the Tigers have been among the most consistent winners in the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Region, going nearly 30 years without a losing record and winning 10 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) titles, more than any other member institution.

All that winning adds up to a large collection of alumnae who proudly recall the impact coaches and teammates in the program had upon them during their collegiate careers. Now, the coaches and student-athletes involved in the program in 2011 are involved in a fundraiser that will hopefully open doors to the same kind of opportunities and experiences for future Tigers.

An anonymous donor has offered a matching challenge for the month of September to kick off the start of the 2011-12 school year. For every $100 donation made, the donor will match it, up to $1,000.

With the help of staff members in the university's Office of Advancement, team members have started a letter-writing campaign, which will be follow by a phonathon campaign. The goal is to reach $10,000 to help the team's overall budget for equipment and uniform needs, as well as finance a trip to play in the Netherlands against former Dutch teammates.

"I was excited to learn about the matching challenge and hoped it would stir the competitive spirit within our awesome support network," said Head Coach Kelley Hubbell, who guided the Tigers to a 15-4 overall record and an NCAC title in her first season in 2010. "We greatly appreciate our alumni, friends and family for all their support in helping us enhance the experiences of these dedicated student-athletes and push the competitive level of the program to new heights."

Written By: Ryan Maurer
Photo By: Erin Pence

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