POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – After the success of last year's #27Brew2 giving challenge, the Vassar College Athletic Department, in conjunction with the Office of Alumnae/i Affairs and Development, held its third 27-hour crowd-funding challenge, #Brew3D, on Feb. 27-28.  Running from 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27 until 12 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, #Brew3D shattered all expectations, raising a total of $310,044.

The initial goal of 4,027 donors was reached at 11 a.m. on Friday, triggering a $10,000 donation to the Brewers Fund courtesy of Caroline Gregson Wabl '95. The gifts kept pouring in from there, and we finished with an amazing 4,499 gifts.

"For the third year in a row, I'm humbled and awed by the amazing support shown to and from our athletic community," Director of Athletics and Physical Education Michelle Walsh noted.  "Brewers always rise to the challenge."
Student-athletes participated by creating personal plea videos, highlighting how funds raised would benefit their program while also showcasing their individual creativity.  These videos were posted to their team-specific social media accounts throughout the challenge.

Thanks to the generosity of a trio of superstars, this year there were three ways for our teams to win. Francesca Gutierrez Amann '91 made it possible for the team in each division (Rose, Burgundy and Gray) that scored the highest number of unique donors to win $2,500. Additionally, Steve Hankins '85 P'13 P'17, AAVC President and AAVC Trustee, donated $2,700 which awarded $600 to the team who finished second in their division for most unique donors, and $300 for the third-place team in each division.

Additionally, each team created a challenge-themed video, with a panel of judges awarding $2,500 for the most creative video in each division, courtesy of President Bradley. The winner in the Rose Division was Men's and Women's Track & Field. Men's Soccer won the Burgundy Division, while Men's Volleyball won the Gray Division.

There were also several additional pop-up challenges throughout the 27 hours.  Director of Athletics and Physical Education Michelle Walsh put up $500 of her own money to the team that had the most advocates with personal plea videos.  She was so impressed by the efforts of the women's volleyball and men's tennis teams that they both each received $250.  Vice President for Alumnae/i Affairs and Development Tim Kane, also sponsored a challenge to the student-athletes, awarding $500 to the team with the student-athlete who generated the most gifts through their advocacy. The winner in that challenge was freshman Gavin van Beveren from men's volleyball.

Winston Clement '91 and Elizabeth Greenstein Clement '91 generously donated $2,500 to help us get to 25% of our total goal. Finally, on Friday morning, a final challenge from Gutierrez Amann '91 saw the team with the most new unique donors from 9:30am until 12:00pm earn $2,500. That prize was awarded to the men's lacrosse team. 

The success of the challenge would not have been possible without the generous support of our parents, alumnae/i and friends over the past 27 hours.  In the coming days, the Vassar athletic department will continue to thank its donors through personal phone calls and hand-written letters.  It's because of your support that our student-athletes will continue to excel in the classroom and in competition.