Information provided by Kentucky Wesleyan Athletics Sports Information Director, Trey Curry.
Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics has introduced an updated W Club experience, offering Panther fans and alumni new opportunities to support student-athletes while enhancing the overall gameday and program experience.
Vice President of Athletics Jason Vittone said the W Club provides an important avenue for giving back to Wesleyan athletics.
“We have a strong and loyal fan base, and I couldn’t be prouder of the support they give to our student-athletes and staff,” Vittone said. “The W Club is another tremendous opportunity to support the Panthers. We have made a few adjustments to the annual benefits packages that I think our supporters will appreciate. If you were a member of the W Club last year, I hope you will consider renewing your membership. If you weren’t, I hope you will consider joining and supporting our department.”
The W Club offers multiple ways to contribute, whether directed to a specific sport, general athletics, or the athletic endowment.
“Giving to the W Club can be done is a variety of options. You can donate specifically to one sport, or you can give to general athletics or our athletic endowment,” Vittone said. “You can make the gift recurring if you wish by giving weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually. Either choice you make goes a long way in ensuring a positive experience for our student-athletes, and we are grateful for your support.”
Coaches across several sports echoed the impact of W Club support.
“As coaches, we want to give our players the best student athlete experience while they are here,” head baseball coach Todd Lillpop said. “The W Club allows us to do just that! We can put the funds into our players and help them grow as individuals in their perspective sport. It allows us to upgrade essential items in our programs that help our players develop.”
Head football coach Tyrone Young said W Club resources are critical to the mission of his program.
“The W Club’s support is absolutely vital to the growth and success of our program,” Young said. “At Kentucky Wesleyan, we are committed to developing young men not only as athletes, but also as students and leaders. That mission takes resources, and the W Club helps bridge the gap between what we need and what we have.”
Head men’s basketball coach Drew Cooper emphasized the culture of giving that surrounds the college.
“Each year, I’m humbled by the support our College gets from alum, fans, and whoever our department has impacted,” Cooper said. “The size of KWC lends itself to a very tight-knit, family-like atmosphere, and that is seen regularly with amazing generosity. That generosity allows coaches to try to gear their attention to trying to win games and it allows programs to show our athletes, by enhancing their experience, that we care about them, we love them, and from a retention standpoint – we want them back.”
Student-athletes also expressed appreciation for the program.
“The W Club’s support makes me feel valued and motivated as a student-athlete,” women’s basketball player Myah Montgomery said. “Knowing that people believe in my success and are investing in me pushes me to work harder and strive for success on and off the court!”
“As a student athlete, having the support of the W Club brings more reassurance as an athlete that there are people outside of my sport that are invested in our success as a team and, more importantly, as an individual,” women’s soccer player Steeley Walker said.
Membership information and benefits for the W Club are available through the Kentucky Wesleyan Athletics office and online at kwcpanthers.com.
