WINONA, Minn. — Despite the challenges we have all faced these past two years, we feel it's important to highlight the positives of this past year in Saint Mary's University athletics. 
 
First, we acknowledge our resilient Cardinal student-athletes, who are competing valiantly through this persistent pandemic, and are grateful for the opportunities they are given to showcase their skills in a public arena. We are also grateful for the abundant generosity of benefactors, alumni, community members, and fans who support Saint Mary's University athletics and the Cardinal Excellence Fund — helping our grateful student-athletes reach their full potential.
 
"I want to thank all of our amazing benefactors, who continue to impact our student-athletes on a daily basis — inside the classroom, in competition, in the community, and through their Saint Mary's experience and beyond," said Saint Mary's athletic director Brian Sisson. "The Cardinal Excellence Fund has had tremendous growth and results, and most importantly, those amazing benefactors are helping prepare the leaders of tomorrow through their generosity.
 
"Thank you, as well, to all of our athletics staff for everything they do year-in and year-out, and we are so excited for what lies ahead for Cardinal Athletics."
 
Highlights from the 2021-22 academic school year:  

• Gifts to the Cardinal Excellence Fund (athletics annual fund) grew for the third straight year, generating over $140,000 annually — an increase of over 70% in the last four years.   
• Over 1,000 benefactors gave to Cardinal athletics this past year.  
• An inaugural crowdfunding campaign raised almost $20,000 for Cardinal athletic programs.
• A men's hockey annual retreat will begin this fall, and the Brian R. McCarthy B'79 Hockey Leadership Endowment was created.  
• "The Max" player package continues to elevate our baseball program.  
• The anonymous $1 million gift to Cardinal hockey programs continues to provide both programs with numerous enhancements. 
• We've renovated the men's basketball locker room, men's track and field locker room, and women's track and field locker room.
• We installed new bench covers for the men's and women's soccer programs.
• New branded windscreen signage is now up for all outdoor venues (Baseball, Softball, Track and Field/Soccer).
• New permanent bleachers great guests at the soccer/track complex. 
• The inaugural Cardinal Excellence Fund Dinner was held in person this past March, with over 150 attendees. Save the date for the next CEF Dinner, March 11, 2023.
• Corporate partnerships grew, in both gifts and numbers of partners, including new partners Edina Realty, Signatures, Aldi, and River City Grill/Rivers Hotel Company.
• The athletic offices were rebranded.

"We feel that our partnership with Cardinal Athletics is a great way to support student athletes," said Cheryl Dutton, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Altra Federal Credit Union. "The unique marketing opportunities allow us to create brand awareness and develop relationships with students, staff, and supporters of Saint Mary's."
 
"We are excited to announce our partnership with Saint Mary's University athletics," said Emily Barkeim, sales manager at Edina Realty in Winona. "As a strong leader in Winona and surrounding communities, we share many common goals and values. We look forward to many opportunities to collaborate during the years to come."
 
The hard work of the Cardinal Excellence Fund during the 2021-22 school year did not go unnoticed to those who are benefiting from those efforts.
 
"We are all truly grateful for all of the family, friends, fans, benefactors, and supporters who have generously given to our program and the other various programs on campus," said John Tschida, Saint Mary's fastpitch softball coach. "Some of these funds have been put into athletic branding seen throughout the athletic spaces, promoting school spirit and brightening our facilities. Our softball program has been lucky enough to benefit from a vibrant new windscreen, featuring our school colors, and an area honoring all of the past championship teams.
 
"Prospects often comment on how they enjoy the improvements and upgrades and value a school who keeps things fresh with a touch of history," Tschida added. "The softball field upgrades have been very practical in nature. Our practice and game spaces have improved greatly by removing the old infield surface and replacing it with a top of the line playing surface. Our newly built, three-mound bullpen for our pitchers and catchers, and expansion of our visitor bullpens will greatly improve our ability to work with pitchers and catchers.
 
"Donations have also allowed us to increase our much-needed storage space," Tschida added. "Lastly, all of our players benefit from our expansion of our batting cage area.  Giving back and paying it forward is alive and well at Saint Mary's University, and we are forever grateful."
 
And while 2021-22 was a year to remember, the Cardinal Excellence Fund isn't resting on its laurels. Here's a look at some of the recent and upcoming projects:

• Permanent signage of Altra Federal Credit Union on the main court of Saint Mary's gym.
• Enhancements to the athletic training room   
• Branded windscreens for baseball and softball bleachers
• Enhancements to the softball playing surface and surrounding field area
• A continued emphasis on locker room upgrades 

 The Cardinal Excellence Fund's first big event of the 2022-23 academic year is right around the corner. Registration is going strong for the annual CEF Golf Outing on Sept. 10, 2022 at Cedar Valley Golf Course. Those interested in participating can sign up here.
 
For more information on how you can help support Cardinal athletics and the Cardinal Excellence Fund, contact Brian Sisson at 507-457-1638 or bsisson@smumn.edu.