Peacock Nation once again proved its POWER. The Upper Iowa University Athletics Department's Fifth Annual Peacock Power 24-Hour Challenge inspired alumni, families, friends, coaches, staff, and student-athletes to come together in support of Peacock Athletics — raising $193,491 through 810 donations. The generosity shown throughout the challenge will directly impact the student-athlete experience across Upper Iowa's programs, helping provide resources, opportunities, and support for more than 400 Peacock student-athletes. See more about this year's Peacock Power Challenge at UIUPeacocks.com/Power26.
 
During the five Peacock Power Challenges dating back to the inaugural challenge in 2022, Peacock Nation has now generously donated nearly $823,000 through 3,847 donations. Year after year, this event continues to demonstrate the loyalty, pride, and generosity of Peacock alumni, families, friends, and supporters who believe in the mission of Upper Iowa Athletics.

"Peacock Nation continues to show up for our student-athletes in a powerful way," said Rick Hartzell, UIU Vice President for Athletics. "We are deeply grateful for every donor who chose to invest in Upper Iowa Athletics during this year's challenge. Their support allows us to enhance the student-athlete experience across all of our programs and continue building on the grit, pride, and growth that define Peacock Athletics. We are especially humbled by the pair of $20,000 gifts from Roger '62 and Alice '61 Mangan and Marshall Richards '71; we continue to be blessed to share the love of our University with such dedicated souls to the core values of Peacock Athletics."

In addition to the generosity from the Mangans and Marshall Richards, several dedicated alumni and friends led the charge with transformational gifts. The inspired leaders included John and Sharon Orr ($12,000), Nate '11 and Ben '11 Curran ($10,000), Keela Johnson '99 ($10,000), and an anonymous gift to the women's basketball program ($10,000).

Several other Peacock alumni and friends made this year's challenge a huge success with gifts of $1,000 or more including Mike Prochaska '89, Mike Eisheid '63, Carl and Allison Behne, Tom '69 and Carol '01 Crandall, Diane Hosey, Patrick and Sarah Bailey, Richard and Chris Andres, Mike and Dominique Bockman, Tommy and Jaye Miller, Matt and Sarah Mordhorst, Brian and Kim Reichter, Chelsea Siefken '12, and four other donors that wish to remain anonymous.

"What makes this challenge special is that every gift matters," Hartzell continued. "Whether someone gave to a specific team, Athletic Training, Strength and Conditioning, Student-Athlete Development, or the Peacock Athletics Fund, their generosity helps move Peacock Athletics forward."
 
Every dollar raised strengthens the foundation of Peacock Athletics by supporting the travel, equipment, training resources, facility enhancements, leadership development, and team experiences that help student-athletes grow as competitors, scholars, leaders, and people. The generosity shown during Peacock Power helps ensure that more than 400 Peacock student-athletes have the opportunity to pursue excellence while representing Upper Iowa University with grit, pride, and growth.
 
"Peacock Nation once again showed tremendous love for Upper Iowa University and our student-athletes," said Howie Thompson, Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Operations. "We are incredibly thankful to every donor who gave, every coach and staff member who shared their program's story, and every student-athlete who helped carry the message forward. The student-athlete experience remains our top priority, and Peacock Power directly supports that mission by helping provide the travel, equipment, training resources, facility improvements, and meaningful experiences our Peacocks deserve."
Nine of the Peacock fundraising areas surpassed their goals, while six sport programs raised over $10,000 during the event including football ($31,572), softball ($25,872), women's basketball ($20,706), baseball ($15,925), men's wrestling ($13,440), and men's basketball ($10,275). In terms of donors, the top five programs included softball (157), baseball (154), men's wrestling (83), football (64), and cheer and dance (53).
 
To learn more about this year's Peacock Power 24-Hour Challenge and see where each team finished visit UIUPeacocks.com/Power26.