SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara University's 13th annual Day of Giving is set for Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Last year, thanks to the incredible generosity of Bronco supporters everywhere, Santa Clara Athletics led all Santa Clara University departments with more than 1,900 gifts, contributing over $1,000,000 toward the University's Day of Giving total. Across campus, the Santa Clara community came together in extraordinary fashion, generating nearly $6 million in just 24 hours from more than 5,700 gifts spanning 46 states and 20 countries.

The funds raised supported hundreds of student-centered initiatives across the University, including Bronco Athletics programs that rely on the Day of Giving to help provide a championship-level experience for Santa Clara's student-athletes.

Building on that momentum, Santa Clara Athletics is once again rallying the Bronco community to participate in this year's Day of Giving. More than 35 challenge gifts totaling over $320,000 have already been secured—with additional challenges continuing to be added—creating opportunities for supporters to unlock additional funding through their participation.

 

Sport/Unit	Sport/Unit Fundraising Goal	Challenge Gifts*
Athletics Fund	$100,000	The first $40,000 donated to the Athletics Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar thanks to the generosity of the Murphy Family.  An additional $2,500 will be unlocked once 25 donations are made, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor.  Once $10,000 has been raised, an additional $10,000 will be unlocked for the Athletics Fund, thanks to the generosity of the Murphy Family.
Bronco Bench Foundation	$50,000	$5,000 will be unlocked for Bronco Bench Foundation Scholarships once the fund receives 40 total donations, thanks to the generosity of Angie Robbiano '80.  An additional $5,000 will be unlocked once the fund reaches $20,000 in total dollars raised, thanks to the generosity of Toby '93 and Kori '96 O'Brien.
Baseball	$55,000	Once baseball receives 49 donations, $4,999 will be unlocked for the program "for 9" in honor of the legacy of Mark Marquess and the enduring impact he made on generations of student-athletes and the game of baseball. $5,000 will be unlocked for baseball once the program reaches 75 total donations thanks to baseball alumnus Walt Kaczmarek '74.
Beach Volleyball	$30,000	$5,000 will be unlocked for beach volleyball once the program reaches $30,000 in total dollars raised thanks to the generosity of past student-athlete parents. An additional $2,500 will be unlocked for the program once they receive 50 total donations thanks to the generosity of the Loughran Family.
Men's Basketball	$100,000	The first $50,000 donated to men's basketball will be matched dollar-for-dollar thanks to the generosity of the Steven L. Hallgrimson Foundation and Olander Family Foundation! Once the program reaches $25,000 in total dollars raised, a bonus $10,000 will be unlocked for the program thanks to the generosity of the Marchi Family.  An additional $5,000 will be unlocked once the program reaches 50 total donations in honor of a fabulous season and NCAA Tournament appearance, thanks to the generosity of the Biggam Family.
Men's Cross Country/Track & Field	$30,000	$5,000 will be unlocked for men's cross country/track & field once the program reaches $15,000 in total dollars raised thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor.
Men's Golf	$55,000	The first $25,000 to men's golf will be matched dollar-for-dollar thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor. An additional $10,000 will be unlocked once the program reaches $25,000 in total dollars raised thanks to the generosity of men's golf alumnus and PGA Tour Pro Matt McCarty '20. Once the program receives 60 total donations, an additional $2,500 will be unlocked thanks to the generosity of former student-athlete parents.
Men's Rowing	$65,000	$5,000 will be unlocked for men's rowing once the program reaches $30,000 in total dollars raised, thanks to the generosity of Jim Hansen '90. An additional $5,000 will be unlocked once the program reaches 100 total donations, thanks to the generosity of men's crew alumnus Dave Lalonde '89.
Men's Soccer	$70,000	The first $30,000 donated to men's soccer will be matched dollar-for-dollar thanks to the generosity of the Bazan Family.
Men's Tennis	$20,000	Once $15,000 is raised toward the men's tennis program, a bonus $20,000 will be contributed towards the Joe McCarthy Endowed Scholarship for Men's Tennis thanks to the generosity of Joe McCarthy '70. A bonus $6,000 will unlock for men's tennis once the program reaches $10,000 in total donation, thanks to the collective generosity of men's tennis alumni Tom Pham '13, MS '15, David Lu '91, and Scott Watters '00!
Men's Water Polo	$30,000	$5,000 will be unlocked for men's water polo once the program reaches $20,000 in total dollars thanks to the generosity of Dan '07 and Casey '08 Soares.  Once men's water polo reaches $25,000 in total dollars raised, a bonus $10,000 will be unlocked for the program thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor. $2,500 will be unlocked for men's water polo once the program receives 125 total donations thanks to the generosity of the Nash Family. An additional $2,500 will be unlocked for men's water polo once the program receives 175 total donations thanks to the generosity of the Senior Class Families.
Softball	$35,000	$2,500 will be unlocked for softball once the program reaches 175 total donations thanks to softball alumna Jackie Nicora '11. An additional $5,000 will be unlocked for softball once the program reaches $20,000 in total dollars raised thanks to softball alumna Meghan Railey '08.
Volleyball	$30,000	$10,000 will be unlocked for volleyball once the program reaches $20,000 in total dollars raised thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor!
Women's Basketball	$30,000	Once women's basketball reaches $15,000 in total donations on the Day of Giving, an additional $5,000 will be unlocked for the program thanks to the generosity of the Biggam Family.
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field	$30,000	$5,000 will be unlocked for women's cross country/track & field once the program reaches $15,000 in total dollars thanks to the generosity of program alumna Tanya Paszkeicz '93. $5,000 will be unlocked for women's cross country/track & field once the program reaches 100 individual donations of $100 or higher thanks to the generosity of program alumna Tanya Paszkeicz '93.
Women's Golf	$25,000	$7,500 will be unlocked for women's golf once the program reaches $15,000 in total dollars raised thanks the generosity of former student-athlete parents.
Women's Rowing	$35,000	Once women's rowing reaches $15,000 in total dollars raised, a bonus $2,500 will be unlocked for the program thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor. $5,000 will be unlocked once women's rowing reaches 75 total donations, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor. An additional $5,000 will be unlocked for the women's rowing once the program reaches $25,000 in total dollars raised thanks to the generosity of women's rowing alumna Ruth Collins '85.
Women's Soccer	$75,000	$5,000 will be unlocked for women's soccer once the program reaches $40,000 in total dollars raised thanks to the generosity of Jenny Sneeringer '86. $2,500 will be unlocked for women's soccer once the program reaches 120 donations thanks to the generosity of The Schoennauer Company.
Women's Tennis	$35,000	$3,000 will be unlocked for women's tennis once the program reaches 75 total donations thanks to the generosity of women's tennis alumna Diane Dawson '76.
Women's Water Polo	$30,000	$2,600 will be unlocked for women's water polo once the program reaches $20,000 in total donations, thanks to the generosity of Nonnie Capurro '77, MA '80.

Each Bronco program has identified fundraising priorities that directly impact the student-athlete experience, from team travel and training resources to leadership development and competitive opportunities.

"Day of Giving is one of the most powerful demonstrations of what makes Santa Clara Athletics special," said Heather M. Owen, Director of Athletics. "When our alumni, families, and supporters come together to invest in our programs, it sends a clear message to our coaches and student-athletes that the Bronco community believes in their pursuit of excellence. That collective commitment helps fuel the exciting momentum we are building across our department and positions our programs for continued success."

Last year's Day of Giving saw strong engagement across Bronco programs. The top five programs by dollars raised were Women's Rowing ($90,733), Men's Basketball ($85,695), Men's Golf ($77,295), Beach Volleyball ($73,070), and Men's Rowing ($67,190). Leading the way in participation were Men's Water Polo (191 gifts), Women's Water Polo (181 gifts), Softball (179 gifts), Beach Volleyball (146 gifts), and Women's Soccer (122 gifts).

Supporters can help unlock the more than $320,000 in available challenge gifts and make an immediate impact on the experience of Bronco student-athletes.

For more information about how your gift can support your favorite program, follow Santa Clara Athletics and individual team social media channels in the days leading up to April 8, or visit the Santa Clara University Day of Giving website starting on April 1.