NEW ROCHELLE, NY (December 11, 2025) — Iona University Athletics announced record-setting results from its inaugural 2025 Five To Fight campaign, a weeklong fundraising initiative that replaced the former 12 Days to Fight the Good Fight model.
The campaign attracted 959 donors, marking the highest single-campaign donor total in Iona Athletics history and an increase of 280 donors compared to the previous effort despite shortening from 12 days to seven.
The effort raised $181,998 to support program needs and student-athlete experience enhancements.
Iona surpassed its initial goal of 500 donors by Wednesday, reached 750 donors by Thursday and exceeded 850 donors before the campaign concluded.
Supporters unlocked 11 donor-sponsored matches and challenges, all of which were fulfilled. Notable contributions included $12,000 to baseball and a $30,000 gift to women’s lacrosse.
“The first year of our Five To Fight campaign showcased the incredible passion of the Iona community,” Director of Athletics Matt Glovaski said. “Nearly 1,000 donors stepped forward in just one week. That level of support reflects a shared commitment to providing our student-athletes with the best possible experience and resources.”
Senior Associate AD for Development Chris Aliano highlighted the community’s response.
“Our alumni, parents, friends and student-athletes rallied behind their teams in a powerful way,” Aliano said. “It was inspiring to see the community fully embrace this new version of the campaign and help set a strong foundation for what Five To Fight can become.”
In the Adidas competition tied to the campaign, women’s lacrosse raised the most dollars at $32,735, while rowing led with 294 donors. Each program will receive $5,000 in promotional gear.
“Fundraising efforts like Five To Fight remain essential to elevating the student-athlete experience,” Glovaski said. “We look forward to building on this momentum throughout the rest of the fiscal year.”
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.