Indiana University Athletics
An Evening of Thanks
5/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Varsity Club
May 1, 2008
In 2004, after reading about a similar program at another university, the Varsity Club held its inaugural Thank-a-thon event. The concept of Thank-a-thon is focused on the student athletes expressing their appreciation to donors via phone calls and hand written notes. Time does fly and on April 6th, the 5th annual Thank-a-thon was held in the Basketball Press Room of Assembly Hall.
The Varsity Club was very proud to have every team except for two - who were traveling to competitions - participated in the April 6th evening. Student athletes signed up for one of the two 75-minute sessions. During each session, 32 phones were in use making calls, with an additional 50+ student athletes writing thank you notes. With the participation of 188 student athletes (and a sprinkling of coaches), 894 call were made and 1,436 notes were written. Of the phone calls made, student athletes spoke with 379 donors and left 515 messages for donors to find when they returned home.
Junior men's soccer player John Mellencamp has participated in Thank-a-thon for three years. He always has a tough time on the phones, because his name is identical to his uncle's, Hoosier native and music legend John Mellencamp. Donors often are surprised to get a call from "John Mellencamp." After a little clarification on John's part, the confusion is quickly cleared up.
Another great story that came out of this year's Thank-a-thon was one about former IU student athlete and donor Lexie Mills. He received a note from current water polo player Nora Kennolly. Several days later Lexie sent a thank you note to Nora via the Varsity Club. Lexie wrote about his experience being a track athlete at IU and lettering in 1942. A Varsity Club donor since 1977, Lexie has lived many IU milestones. He will mark his own personal milestone next month when he turns 90 years old on May 31st.
The Varsity Club hopes that many of you received a call or note from a student athlete; however, we know we did not reach everyone. Let us take this opportunity to send out a THANK YOU! Whether it is for the first time or a reiteration, we remain most appreciative of your commitment to the Varsity Club and our IU student athletes.
