Cultivating a Culture of Support
At Nebraska Wesleyan University, student-athletes across all sports compete with a strong sense of perseverance. This common characteristic shared by our community within sports drives current student-athletes, alumni, and friends to invest and immerse themselves into NWU. While alumni and friends give back their time and treasure, student-athletes put in the work to showcase their talent, ultimately strengthening the culture surrounding athletics.
With the spring semester under way, Nebraska Wesleyan’s resilient student-athletes are looking forward to getting back to their passions.
More than a quarter of NWU students participate in D-III sports and benefit from the social support, structure and camaraderie intercollegiate athletics offer. Due to COVID-19, Nebraska Wesleyan and the American Rivers Conference cancelled the remainder of the Spring 2020 seasons. Further concern and safety precautions postponed Fall 2020 sports until Spring 2021. These changes have led to more student-athletes competing in the same semester than ever before. The financial support surrounding NWU athletics is more important than ever.
The Gardner Foundation of Wakefield, Neb., has been a consistent supporter of Nebraska Wesleyan since 2004. The Gardner Foundation continues their support this year with a grant that is helping NWU student-athletes practice and compete in 2021.
NWU plans to use funds from the grant for new expenses related to the pandemic: extra buses and hotel rooms when teams travel for A-R-C competition; comfortable protective masks for athletes; personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff and coaches; air purifiers for indoor sports and buses; non-contact infrared thermometers; electronic whistles for officials and referees; and backpack-style sanitation spray units to clean equipment.
Along with the patience, strength and grit NWU’s student-athletes have shown to follow protocols, the Gardner Foundation’s support is making athletic competition possible this spring.
Jo Bunstock, assistant athletic director, wasn’t surprised when she heard that the Gardner Foundation had awarded a grant to support NWU Athletics in response to COVID-19. “They have been so instrumental in the success of the Athletic Department here at Nebraska Wesleyan for almost two decades. Their generosity and support benefits current students and will continue to benefit incoming classes for years to come.”
Bunstock also mentioned the perseverance she sees on a day-to-day basis with student-athletes. “Every team wants to compete, and they all work so hard. That is the nature of NWU students; our character is all about the determination to succeed no matter what.”
The Gardner Foundation’s commitment to Nebraska Wesleyan reflects the culture of support we cultivate at Nebraska Wesleyan. Despite the difference in backgrounds and stories, interests and passions, or what sport we play, perseverance makes us all one team at Nebraska Wesleyan.
Follow along with our intercollegiate sports teams for play-by-play, game recaps, highlights, and livestreams of competition at nwusports.com.