JACKSON, Miss.  – On the heels of the success that Young Alumni Matching Challenge and the M-Club Parents Challenge, the Millsaps College Athletic Department is moving into the final phase of their April fundraising campaign. This week the challenge goes out to all of the Millsaps athletic alumni.

The goal of the challenge is to have former Millsaps varsity athletic alumni stay connected, as well as have a chance to give back and compete to win additional prizes for their programs.

We have been given a challenge gift of $10,000 by the M-Club Advisory Board to help with locker room upgrades, as well as support for our student development program "The Major Difference."  

To reach the challenge we will need gifts of all sizes, from as many alumni as possible.

The top two Millsaps athletic programs that have the highest participation rate receive prizes. A formula that takes into account the number of donors of a specific team and the total number of student-athlete alumni for that program will be used to determine the participation rate.

The sport with the highest percentage of athletics alumni making a gift will receive $2,500. Second place will win $1,000. The winners will be announced May 1^st.

Every dollar that is received for the M-Club provides Millsaps student athletes the tools and opportunities they need to succeed through the Major Difference Program. From access to a sports dietitian and full-time strength and conditioning coaches, to enhanced support in our athletic training program and leadership programs to bolster academic success, the Major Difference provides an array of benefits to our student athletes.

All of these initiatives require financial support beyond the college budget. To help jump start the fundraising efforts, a few generous alumni have provided a challenge gift of $25,000. The April M-Club matching challenge goal is to raise $25,000. The dollar for dollar match would contribute a total of $50,000 to our Major Difference Program.

"We are fortunate to have alumni that care so much about our programs and the work that's being done in our athletic department," said Director of Athletics Donald Brooks. This challenge will help us reach our goal of providing our programs the tools to build championship cultures and our student-athletes the resources to succeed on and off the field," he finished.

Anyone that participates in the $25,000 Matching Challenge will become a member of the M-Club. Members are kept in the loop with all things Millsaps via a semi-annual newsletter, frequent email updates, and invitations to events on and off campus. 

Donations are being accepted through the mail or through Millsaps M-Bench in support of the M-Club.  Also note that all gifts to the College, including contributions to M-Club are tax deductible. Gifts totaling at least $1,000, will receive President's Society recognition. Please remember that M-Club gifts support all athletes. Team specific gifts are welcomed but will not be eligible for the match.

Intercollegiate athletics contributes so much to the Millsaps experience, and this will help a new crop of smart, disciplined, hard-working student-athletes succeed– in athletic competition and in the classroom.

Please make your gift prior to April 30^th!