A selection of student-athletes from football, men's and women's basketball, softball, baseball, men's and women's volleyball, sand volleyball, gymnastics, women's soccer, men's water polo, swimming and diving, men's and women's track and field, rowing and women's golf took time out of their academic and training schedules to call donors to express their appreciation.
"It was awesome to speak with some of the people who support us from the stands at the Rose Bowl and hear about their passion for UCLA," said UCLA Football wide receiver Tyler Scott. “I spoke with a donor who shared that he'd only missed two UCLA Football home games in 44 years ... that's amazing.”
“I enjoyed talking with several supporters who shared memories from many years of support in Pauley Pavilion,” said men's basketball freshman Thomas Welsh. “It's an honor to be able to represent UCLA and carry on that tradition.”
The two-week-long annual event emphasizes how members of the Wooden Athletic Fund provide invaluable support for 700-plus UCLA student-athletes. Every gift has a positive impact on the abilities of the student-athletes to succeed, not only in competition, but also in the classroom and in the community.
"We really appreciate everything that donors make possible for us here at UCLA, and I look forward to the chance to say a personal thank you to a few of them each year,” added Kari Korver from the women's basketball team. Korver has participated in the WAF Thank-a-Thon for three consecutive years.
The over-$11.7 million in charitable donations that were received by the Wooden Athletic Fund in 2014 have helped provide UCLA student-athletes with more than twice the scholarship funding that was available 10 years ago. To learn more about supporting the Wooden Athletic Fund, please visit www.woodenathleticfund.com or call (310) 206-3302.