SPIRIT PROGRAM

Spirit Challenges:

🎉 *UNLOCKED* Coach CJ Murphy and Emily Hampsten will unlock $1,000 gift to the Spirit Program when they reach 250 donors.

Coaches CJ Murphy and Emily Hampsten:

The American University Spirit Program participates in a rigorous nine-month season, from August to April. We support the school and the community in various ways, including at basketball games, Game of the Week events for each team at AU, community service opportunities, and other charitable efforts. Our program also competes at College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida each April.

The Spirit Program’s accomplishments come from the hard work and dedication the cheerleaders and dancers put forth on and off the mat. To keep our program running, the Spirit Program must fundraise to pay for uniforms, gear, equipment, and our competition fees and travel expenses for College Nationals. We rely on our own fundraising efforts to do so, raising approximately $50,000 each year. The team has the opportunity to raise a large portion of that through this year’s Giving Day challenge.

Last year, the Spirit Program won the award for most donors in the Giving Day challenge, raising over $15,000 from more than 400 donors, earning us a $5,000 prize from Athletics. This brought our total amount raised to over $20,000, which is 40% of the amount we need to raise annually.

To help us repeat our success from last season, please consider supporting the Spirit Program in the Giving Day challenge this year. Dance Team Head Coach Emily Hampsten and Cheer Team Head Coach Cj Murphy have pledged a challenge gift of $1,000 that will be unlocked when the program reaches 250 donors ($10 min donation).

We appreciate your support and generosity. People like you are what keeps our program running and allows these dedicated student-athletes to do the sport they love.

Ashley Fainer (Cheer):

The Spirit Program could not be more thankful for our donors! It is due to your generosity that we can do what we love at the highest level by competing at NCA and NDA College Nationals. We would not be where we are today without your donations. Thank you for being a part of our journey!

Ally Rainbolt (Dance):

Thank you so much to all our generous donors! Every dollar we receive from Giving Day significantly impacts our program and enables us to reach our full potential throughout the season. With these donations, we can continue supporting other AU athletics teams and continue to perform at NDA/NCA nationals at the end of the year! Go Eagles!