Five to Fight: A Campaign for Iona University Athletics is the annual fundraising campaign generating support for all of Iona's Division I teams and its nearly 600 student-athletes.
Last year, Gael Nation rallied together in an incredible display of support in the campaign's first year under a new, abbreviated format. In 2025, Five To Fight drew 959 donors, the highest single-campaign donor total in Iona Athletics history and an increase of 280 donors from its last effort despite the shift from 12 days to seven. The week produced $181,998 in support of program needs and student-athlete experience enhancements.
Five to Fight returns in a few short weeks, running from November 30 through December 4, 2026. We are asking Gael Nation to once again rally around Iona's student-athletes, as all support from the campaign makes a real and lasting difference in the success of every program.
All contributions during Five to Fight have a direct impact on the guiding pillars that the athletics department are built upon:
- Assuring Competitive Excellence: Your support creates opportunities and provides resources for student-athletes to excel both in and out of the classroom, while allowing our coaches to recruit and develop future leaders.
- Modernizing Athletic Infrastructure: Your gifts allow us to continually improve our training spaces and acquire cutting-edge equipment, giving our student-athletes the tools they need to compete at the highest levels.
- Expanding Educational Access: Athletic and academic scholarships supported by donors like you helps make higher education accessible to our talented student-athletes.
- Strengthening Leadership: Your contributions help us attract exceptional coaches and staff while investing in their ongoing professional growth, ensuring our programs maintain the highest standards of excellence.
The generosity of supporters near and far – the team behind our teams – is the cornerstone of everything we accomplish. Each gift has an impact and helps us build a program that will attract and develop exceptional talent for years to come. With the unwavering support of family, friends, alumni and fans, we continue to see how powerful it is when Gael Nation comes together in support of our student-athletes. These five days are about spreading the word to renew support and welcoming those to Fight the Good Fight for the first time!
MATCHES & CHALLENGES
As a special point of emphasis this year, Iona University Athletics is encouraging supporters to help elevate the Five to Fight campaign by committing to matching or challenge gifts. Any supporter interested in participating at this level should reach out to Chris Aliano at caliano@iona.edu or 914-633-2598 for more information.
Many companies have matching gift programs that can help double or even triple one's gift to Iona. If you or your spouse works for such a company, please obtain the required form from the personnel office, and return it with your gift. Gifts made to Iona Athletics as part of the
Five to Fight campaign are tax deductible as prescribed by state and federal law.
To make a gift, visit the
Five to Fight Website, call 914-633-2598, or email
caliano@iona.edu. Checks can be made out to Iona University Athletics and mailed to:
Iona University Athletics
Attn:
Chris Aliano
Hynes Athletics Center - East
715 North Ave
New Rochelle, NY 10801
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Iona University and for all you do to support our student-athletes – Go Gaels!
