One Team Day raises more than $394,000 to support Norse athletics

Luther College is pleased to announce that a total of $394,356 from more than 1,000 donors was received during the fifth annual One Team Day on Thursday, Nov. 21. The monetary gifts will help to support the college’s 22 intercollegiate athletic teams and 550 student-athletes.

More than $394,000 was raised to support Luther College’s 22 intercollegiate athletic teams and 550 student-athletes during the fifth annual One Team Day on Nov. 21, 2024.

“Thanks to our generous supporters, One Team Day was extremely successful,” said Renae Hartl, director of intercollegiate athletics at Luther. “We are grateful for everyone who participated in One Team Day, and thankful for our dedicated fans who cheer on and celebrate Norse athletes throughout the year.”

Donors had the option of supporting a specific team, more than one team or the Norse Athletic Association. Even Luther’s newest varsity sport, women’s wrestling, received donations on One Team Day. In September, Luther College President Jenifer K. Ward announced the addition of women’s wrestling for the 2025-26 academic year.

The funds raised on One Team Day provide critical operating support, such as advanced technologies for training, conditioning and recovery, top-tier equipment and uniforms, quality travel and training experiences, and high-caliber coach and student-athlete recruitment.

“One Team Day is a special event for alumni, coaches and student-athletes,” said Yarrow Pasche, director of women’s track and field and cross country.

During One Team Day, student-athletes from each sport reached out to alumni, family members and other supporters of Norse athletics through text messages. Senior Kaitlyn Dailey, a member of the track and field team and a social work major, sent more than 100 text messages and received many positive responses to the invitation to share “a memory from your time on the track and field team.”

“I like seeing their responses,” she said. “Many times the person that you texted on One Team Day will seek you out at the Luther Track and Field Alumni Meet in January and you’ll get to meet them. It’s nice to put a name with a face after connecting on One Team Day.”

Launched in 2020, One Team Day highlights the importance of athletics and student-athletes within the Luther community. This year’s One Team Day campaign officially ended on Friday, Nov. 22.