Donations
In order to be a consistent final four participant we need your support!
Athletic Development
Our mission in the Department of Athletics is to offer the most meaningful experience and the finest education possible for the student-athletes of the University of Delaware. Investing in the future of UD student-athletes ensures continuing the tradition of success both in the classroom and on the field.
Your contribution to the University of Delaware Athletic Fund (UDAF) directly impacts the lives over 600 student-athletes participating in 23 varsity sports. For some, the scholarship eases the financial burden associated with earning a college degree. For other athletes, these scholarships are the only available means for earning a college education. For all student-athletes, the scholarship provides a one in a lifetime opportunity to compete at the college level.
Gifts to UDAF may be restricted or unrestricted to a specific sport. Your gift may be restricted to men’s lacrosse enabling Coach Shillinglaw to fund his greatest needs, i.e. Scholarships (annual or endowed), support for a second assistant coach, and general operating budget needs. A major portion of the men’s lacrosse budget has to be raised annually. We need your support.
As the cost of higher education continues to rise, so does the challenge of competing at a high level. In order to meet the rising cost challenges, the Department of Athletics relies on gifts from many sources including alumni, friends of the University of Delaware, businesses, corporations & foundations and fans.
The University of Delaware enjoys a rich tradition of excellence both in the classroom and on the playing field. Your continued support enables future generations of student-athletes continue this legacy. You are a special part of our team and thank you for your dedication and financial support to the University of Delaware.
For more information on contribution to men’s lacrosse, please contact Scarlett Schmidt (Director of Athletic Development) at 302-831-6276 or athdev@udel.edu. You can make a gift specifically to athletics at http://www.udel.edu/makeagift. Your gift may be restricted directly to men’s lacrosse.
Scholarships
The University has increased the program’s number of available scholarships to the NCAA Maximum of 12.6. Your support is greatly needed to assist us in maintaining those scholarships so that we are not only on par with our conference opponents but also able to compete on a national level for a Division I championship. Along with the 12.6 maximum allotments, scholarships are needed for assistance with books and for players in financial need for winter and summer terms. Our scholarship program funded by alumni and supporters will make the difference for us to make it to the final four. The quality of the incoming recruits improves yearly, and the UD program is one that, with complete support, could be a CONSISTENT Final Four contender with a legitimate shot at a national title. One way of assisting the team is to contribute to one of our existing scholarships. Presently there is the Ryan Kohart Scholarship established by Rich Volpe, lacrosse captain at UD. We also have the Milt Roberts and Gary Celeste Scholarships, and most recently the Lee Levis and Lakeiben Brown Scholarships. You can always make gifts to the general lacrosse scholarship fund. For further information on how you can contribute to any of the programs or to create your own scholarship, please contact Bob Shillinglaw at 302-831-8661
Budget Support
Along with scholarship support, assistance is needed for budget support. The equipment cost has continues to exceed the operating budget. Our program continues to need financial support for equipment needs and overall operating budget. Any support towards the general operating budget or to our scholarship budget is greatly appreciated.
Named Scholarships
Gary Celeste Memorial Scholarship
A scholarship created to memorialize Gary Celeste, A University of Delaware undergraduate who was tragically killed while watching a men’s lacrosse game on campus. Since 1988 family, friends and several lacrosse alumni have honored Gary by presenting yearly the Gary Celeste Memorial Award to the UD player who contributes the most to the program in spirit, dedication, and enthusiasm.
Ryan Kohart Memorial Scholarshi
A scholarship created by UD alum Rich Volpe to honor Ryan Kohart, captain of the 1998 University of North Carolina men’s lacrosse team who was employed in New York City at Cantor Fitzgerald and who lost his life on September 11, 2001. Ryan grew up in Garden City, Long Island with a number of former University of Delaware lacrosse Alumni.
Milt Roberts Lacrosse Memorial Scholarship
A scholarship created to honor Milt Roberts, a member of the National Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame and a noted historian of the game who is considered the father of lacrosse in the state of Delaware. An All American player at Navy and Johns Hopkins, he coached the University of Delaware men’s lacrosse program after Gordon Bierman created the program as a club team in 1948 and followed the late Harry Rawstrom. He coached the Blue Hens for eight years between 1950-57 and posted a record of 41-48-1. He died in 1991. There is also the Milt Roberts Memorial game with a MVP selected each year.
Men’s Lacrosse Alumni Scholarship
This is an endowment whose income is to be used to provide a scholarship for a member of the men’s lacrosse team selected by the head lacrosse coach.
Lakieben D. Brown Scholarship
This is a scholarship created in the memory of Lakieben D. Brown, University of Delaware class of 2000 who lettered in lacrosse in 1997 and 1998 and captained the soccer team in 1998.
Lee Levis Lacrosse Scholarship
This is a scholarship created in memory of Lee Levis who died suddenly on June 16, 2005 at the age of 53, after a long fight with heart illness. Lee was an outstanding attackman from 1971 to 1973 earning All Conference honors several times and All American his senior year in 1973. Lee provided an intense sense of competitiveness on the lacrosse field and in his life after UD, especially in his vocation of helping young people develop into positive and productive citizens. This trait, along with his genuine compassion for people helped make him a wonderful husband and father.