DePaul University Athletics
Softball Program Makes it Four in a Row
6/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
CHICAGO - There's just no denying these enthusiastic alumnae from the DePaul Blue Demons women's softball program.
For the fourth year in a row, softball emerged victorious in the Scholarship Month event in which alums from the various athletics programs engage in a spirited competition to see who can bring in the most scholarship gifts along with raising the most money.
Softball generated 32 scholarship gifts, just edging out women's basketball and track and field with 31 apiece. Men's basketball was next with 14 gifts followed by women's soccer with 10.
Athletics alums raised a combined total of $95,835 from 146 scholarship gifts in the month of May, second only to the $100,664 that was contributed in 2014.
In the five-year history of Scholarship Month, there have been 555 gifts for a total of $314,774. Women's basketball won the inaugural competition in 2012
DePaul awards scholarships to approximately 150 student-athletes covering all or portions of tuition, fees, room, bord and books at a cost of more than $5 million annually. Many athletic scholarships are funded through generous gifts from passionate and loyal alumni and friends.
"It's a credit to our alumnae who were actively engaged in this competition through Facebook and e-mails," said softball coach Eugene Lenti. "They kept track of the situation, where we were at and went to work. They wanted to win, and they all made significant contributions to this four-peat title.
"Our terrific alums support us like this every year. It starts with the annual alumni game in September. They get together during men's and women's basketball games and meet up at Kelly's. They stay in contact via social media. They attend our Senior Day and Alumni Day event and give back to the program. Then, they contribute even more during Scholarship Month.
"These former players are so dedicated to the program, and the stability of the coaching staff has a lot to do with that. They see lots of familiar faces.
"Continuity is the key. I've been around from the beginning, and I'm older than Methuselah. They still feel a strong connection to the softball program, and that translates into their extreme and generous loyalty."
That could also be said for other athletic programs such as women's basketball.
"It's always a fun competition among former Blue Demons from our various teams for prizes and bragging rights," said Sean McDonough of Athletics Development. "We're talking about former student-athletes who still have that competitive fire because they want to win."
In the end, no matter which team comes out on top, the real winner is DePaul.
