GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart and William Smith Athletics Day of Donors will start at noon on Wednesday, Feb. 25 and run through noon the following day. The 24-hour giving challenge supports HWS' 31 varsity teams and greatly enhances the Statesmen and Herons student-athlete experience.
 
Each varsity team as well as the Student-Athlete Excellence Fund has a fundraising goal for the day. The Student-Athlete Excellence Fund supports strength and conditioning, sports medicine and the HWS Fueling Station. The Caird Challenge will reward the top two William Smith teams and the top two Hobart teams in terms of the percentage of dollar goal met (up to and beyond 100%) with additional money for their programs. There will also be bonus prizes for teams that create the best videos in support of their fundraising efforts.
 
"Each year, I'm reminded of the extraordinary generosity of our Herons and Statesmen alumni, parents, and fans," said Brian Miller, associate vice president and director of athletics and recreation. "Their unwavering support is what drives our student-athletes and coaches to continue reaching new levels of success."
 
Cindy Caird Gitelson L.H.D. '12 is generously funding the Caird Challenge, putting $10,000 in bonus cash for Hobart and William Smith athletic teams up for grabs and $15,000 as a challenge gift for the Student-Athlete Excellence Fund. The long-time philanthropy of Cindy and her late husband, Jim Caird '56, L.H.D. '12, includes Caird Hall, a residence hall located on Emerson Hill overlooking the Caird Center for Sports and Recreation, which includes Urick Stadium, the Poole Family Sports Dome, Bristol Field House and William Smith Field.
 
The ADOD giving page can be accessed at hwsathletics.com/ADOD2026. The link will also be shared via email and across HWS' social media channels.
 
From 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, HWS will go live with streaming video from campus providing interviews with coaches and student-athletes as well as updates on the day's fundraising efforts.