INDIANAPOLIS – As part of NCAA Division II’s continued commitment to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a renowned non-profit organization that grants wishes to children with life threatening illnesses, its membership collectively raised over $200,000 during the 2019-20 academic year.

Since the beginning of the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s (SAAC) partnership with Make-A-Wish in 2003, the Division has raised more than $6.2 million toward granting the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions. Almost 740 “wishes” have been granted through Division II contributions.

Even with the fundraising challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic created in the middle of the season, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference SAAC was still able to raise over $16,000 for Make-A-Wish during the 2019-20 academic year, ranking the Great Midwest third among all Division II conferences. 

The University of Findlay was one of eight Division II schools to earn a wish reveal. Findlay raised $7,200, officially ranking among the highest totals fundraised institutionally on a Division II national level. 

Wish reveal parties provide an outlet for the community to get involved in the wish process and rally around the selected Wish individual.

The Great Midwest SAAC has set a conference Make-A-Wish goal of $21,000 for the 2020-21 academic year.

“The Great Midwest’s partnership with Make-A-Wish has touched the student-athletes in the conference as much as those who the fundraising is meant for,” said Great Midwest SAAC President, Wiley Cain. “We love the opportunity to see such a positive impact in our community!”