2019 Go Johnnies Challenge

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - April 11 was an incredible day for Saint John's University athletics. A total of 1,110 donors contributed $269,623 to support SJU's student-athletes and athletic programs during the 2019 Go Johnnies Challenge. 

The campaign's goal was 650 donors for each of SJU's 650 varsity and club student-athletes over the 24-hour period. Planned in partnership by the athletic department, Institutional Advancement (alumni office) and J-Club volunteers, this was athletics' first social fundraising campaign. The Go Johnnies Challenge will be an annual event going forward.

"The 2019 Go Johnnies Challenge was an amazing testimony to the support of our alumni, friends and followers," athletic director Bob Alpers '82 said. "Athletics is essential to the holistic education our student-athletes experience here at Saint John's. The bonds they form with coaches and teammates truly last a lifetime and are an important part of the connection they have with SJU."

To put the day's success into perspective, the average giving in the three fiscal years leading up to the Go Johnnies Challenge was $129,739 from 446 donors per year. Every gift made an impact as 100 percent of the money donated went directly to the selected sport program or department. 

Thanks to the generosity of alumni, parents, friends, faculty/staff and students, the preliminary goal of 650 donors was surpassed before noon. Stretch goals were created to keep the momentum going. 

• Of the 1,110 donors, 78% were alumni, 16% parents, 7% friends, 3% faculty/staff and 2% students.
• 49 different people set up matches specific to a sport and inspired others to join in supporting that sport. 
• 32 advocates recorded personal videos to say why they give to their sport and encourage classmates to join them. 
• Donors came from 40 states and 5 countries.