The Upper Iowa University Athletics Department hosted the second Peacock Power 24-Hour Challenge on Wednesday, Nov. 15 and the alumni, family and friends of Peacock Athletics stepped up and delivered a record amount for the second-straight year.
 
Nearly 600 donors, 594 to be precise, generated $138,933 toward the 16 Peacock sport programs, strength and conditioning and student-athlete development. The 2023 total surpassed the inaugural challenge total by nearly $12,000.
 
"We are extremely appreciative to have received a $41,000 gift from Roger and Alice Mangan as part of the day's success," said Rick Hartzell, UIU vice president for athletics. "While a large portion of that gift will support the men's wrestling team, the Mangan's also earmarked $11,000 of their support to be spread between women's wrestling, men and women's golf, men and women's basketball, baseball, and women's cross country and track and field, as well as strength and conditioning and student-athlete development. We are grateful to the Mangans and blessed by their support to the Peacock athletics department."
 
The gifts generated through the second Peacock Power 24-Hour Challenge will directly impact Peacock student-athletes by providing them with the resources needed to have a first-class experience at Upper Iowa. The donors that gave, no matter the amount, have provided the means for us to help our student-athletes reach their full potential in the classroom, on the playing field and in the community.
 
"We couldn't be more excited, humbled and blessed by the outpouring of support for the Upper Iowa Athletics Department," said Howie Thompson, Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Operations. "Thank you to all 594 donors that stepped up and generously gave to our programs. In total, Peacock Nation helped us raise nearly $140,000 dollars, shattering our goal of $100,000 and 500 donors. The support given to the Peacock sports, as well as strength and conditioning and student-athlete development, is a testament to the amount of love that our alumni, family and friends have for Upper Iowa and the amount of faith they have in how we do business in the Athletics department. The student-athlete experience is our number one priority and underscores our three core values of grit, pride and growth."
 
Men's wrestling won the challenge with $46,879, while softball ($21,223), men's golf ($10,750) and baseball ($9,558.91) rounded out the top four in the challenge in total dollars raised.
 
Over the first two years of the Peacock Power 24-Hour Challenge, the Upper Iowa athletics department has raised $265,923 thanks to 1,521 donations.
 
To learn more about the Peacock Power 24-Hour Challenge, see where each team finished, view a complete list of donors for each program or join in the giving over Thanksgiving weekend, visit UIUPeacocks.com/Power23.