GREENVILLE, S.C. – With the strength of nearly 1,900 gifts, Furman University Athletics paced a highly successful 11^th annual Dins Day, it was announced today by Director of Athletics Development Operations Tyler Eckstein.

Celebrated on Tuesday, April 29, Dins Day serves to drive participation in giving and fundraising to advance the university's mission of ensuring all students have the opportunity to experience The Furman Advantage.   

"We are truly grateful for the generosity and participation of our athletics donors, alumni, and families in support of Furman Athletics," said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Jason Donnelly. "Your commitment shows the importance of Division I athletics and the positive impact our teams make upon our entire community. Thank you to our coaches and student-athletes for leading this effort on behalf of the Paladins." 

Paladin Athletics received 1,878 gifts, which totaled a record-breaking $606,869, representing 57 percent of the donor participation and 54 percent of the dollars raised for the university on Dins Day.

In addition, Dins Day 2025 featured numerous university-sponsored challenges, several of which were claimed by athletics programs:

Furman's highly successful cross country/track & field program paced the field in participation, while strength training and conditioning ranked third, men's tennis fourth, and women's soccer fifth. Football ranked eighth among programs in donor participation, with volleyball ninth, and women's golf 10^th. Seven athletic programs finished among the top 10 in dollars raised.

The successful Dins Day campaign coincided with another outstanding season of competition.

Six programs won Southern Conference championships and earned bids to the NCAA Tournament in men's and women's cross country, men's soccer, women's golf, and women's tennis. The men's golf program earned an at-large bid to an NCAA Regional while women's lacrosse clinched a share of the Big South Regular Season Championship for the first time in program history.

The Paladins tied for first among all SoCon schools in the latest APR report with perfect 1,000 scores consisting of men's golf, men's tennis, volleyball, women's cross country, women's lacrosse, women's tennis, and women's track & field.

Furman also had ten student-athletes recognized for exemplary leadership by the university's Shucker Leadership Institute. The ten that were honored for leadership were: Ivan Agyaakwah (men's soccer), Mary Boucher (competitive cheerleading), Molly Faul (women's lacrosse), Helen Gutierrez (women's soccer), Megan Marvin (women's cross country/track & field), Chandler Parker (volleyball), Elijah Poritzky (men's tennis), Caleb Rickard (men's basketball), Audrey Ryu (women's golf), and Ellie Schulson (women's tennis).

Gutierrez, Marvin, Ella Harrison (competitive cheerleading), and Grace Thomas (women's tennis) were each initiated into Furman's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa last month. Students are considered for election to Phi Beta Kappa on the basis of scholarly achievements in the liberal arts and sciences, broad cultural interests, and good character.

To support any of Furman's 19 NCAA Division I programs or the strategic initiatives of Furman Athletics, visit FurmanPaladins.com/Donate or contact the Furman Athletics Fund team at 864-294-2490 or furmanathleticsfund@furman.edu.