Lake Forest College wants alumni, families, and fans to pick a team and give to the community.

The college announced its inaugural Support Your Sport campaign, a three-day online giving event running Thursday, September 17 through Saturday, September 19, that lets donors direct gifts to any of the school's 25 varsity athletic programs. It's the first time Forester Athletics has organized a dedicated fundraising push across all sports at once.

"Support Your Sport is an exciting new tradition that brings our entire Forester community together around a shared purpose: investing in today's student-athletes," Katie Spieth, vice president for advancement, said in the college's announcement published Monday, August 3.

Every sport is in play. Each of the 25 programs has identified its own funding priorities based on the specific needs of its student-athletes, according to the announcement. Donors choose the sport they want to support and can track team standings and milestones in real time on the campaign's giving page.

Jim Catanzaro, assistant vice president and director of athletics, said the campaign gives alumni and families a way to rally behind specific teams. Catanzaro, who also serves as head football coach, said he expects former teammates to reconnect and families to cheer on their favorite programs during the three-day window.

How it works

Supporters compete on behalf of their teams. Matching gifts and challenge opportunities, established by alumni, families, and friends of the college, will be available throughout the three days to amplify individual donations.

Lake Forest College competes in NCAA Division III and sponsors approximately 500 student-athletes across its 25 sports, which span the Midwest Conference, the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association, the SLIAC (golf), and the NACC (lacrosse).

The college plans to run Support Your Sport every year.

How to give

Gifts can be made online at goforesters.com starting Thursday, September 17, or by phone, mail, or in person through the Office of Advancement. For questions or to set up a challenge or match opportunity, contact Marianne Riddell, director of annual engagement, at [email protected] or 847-735-6029.