Give to URI Athletics | Women's Basketball Champion's Club

KINGSTON, R.I. – Since arriving at Rhode Island, women's basketball head coach Tammi Reiss has made a concerted effort to connect with the community. That bond has led to unprecedented support for the program in recent years.

The defending Atlantic 10 regular-season champions have used Day of Giving support to secure charter flights for team travel, renovate the team locker room and to improve the team's health and wellness program.  

"For women's basketball, Day of Giving is everything," Reiss said. "You name all the resources we have and what we have been able to do, it is all because of Day of Giving. It is because of our donors, our boosters and our alumni."

For Day of Giving on Thursday, Oct. 5, the team is rolling out its latest Champions Club challenge. With an eye toward securing funding for in-season multiple-team events for the future, the women's basketball program is aiming to get 10 donors to commit $10,000 per year over the next five years. This year, Rhode Island is competing at the Las Vegas Holiday Classic in November. Longtime Rhode Island booster Diane Sullivan, along with her husband Stephen, are the inaugural members of the Champions Club.

"We don't ask for money from people to be wasteful. I came from a middle class, blue-collar family. Every dime that we make, we have a purpose for," Reiss said. "This year, the focus is multi-team events. The biggest knock on our program is that we need to play a better schedule and we need to schedule better NET opponents. A lot of schools won't play us right now. Being able to go to tournaments where schools can't duck and hide is important."

There are three levels to the Champion's Club (details listed below). Each level includes additional benefits.

When it comes to Day of Giving, every contribution makes a difference. Reiss – who attended business school while playing basketball at the University of Virginia – opening up her program to every supporter has been vital in the team's growth.
  
"One thing I learned in my time in women's basketball is that you must engage with the fans," Reiss said. "They must feel like a part of your family and have access to you and your program. The thing we try to do with Day of Giving is make it interactive with our fanbase. We want fans to know, 'You are a part of us. We recognize you.' I think that is what has hit it off for us. We are not just asking for money and writing a thank you card. It is so much more than that. Last year we recognized everybody who donated, whether it was $1 or $100,000. That interaction is important to let fans know they are a welcome part of the Rhody family."

Coaches and players alike will spend time on Thursday sending messages and videos out for every person who contributes $250 or more to the program.

"I don't 'give' the kids in our program anything. They earn it," Reiss said. "Every year we go a little bit farther and get a little better, but I make them work hard and earn everything they get. We make Day of Giving the most important fundraising day of the year for us. That is why we do special event days, the videos and shoutouts on social media. For us, Day of Giving is the day of the year that we target to really make improvements to our program and give our students-athletes what they need to become champions."

Gold ($1,000)

• Autographed team basketball and poster
• VIP invitation for 2 for all team events
• Banquets, chalk talks, coaching clinics
• Access to all practices
• Champions Club t-shirt
• Other Special Events

Platinum ($10,000)

• Includes all Gold Member benefits, plus:
• Honorary Home Game Coach
• Sit on the team bench with the coaching staff
• Included in timeouts and huddles
• Attend game day shootaround
• Attend film session
• Attend team meal
• Attend pre- and post-game talks
• Receiver Rhode Island Coaching polo

Diamond ($25,000)

• Includes all Platinum Member benefits, plus:
• Honorary Away Game Coach
• Bus trip with the team
• Access to all activities during the trip
• All meals included
• Hotel included