Through cancelled seasons, online classes and strict COVID-19 protocols, UTC student-athletes have risen to the challenge over the past seven months. On Tuesday, October 20^th, the Chattanooga community showed their support for the Mocs in a major way, raising over $125,000 during Mocs Give Day, the first-ever university wide giving day at UTC.

Led by leadership gifts of $5,000 from Head Basketball Coaches Katie Burrows and Lamont Paris, as well as Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Mark Wharton, 268 total donors contributed to the effort.

The primary focus of support was the Mocs Fly Together Fund, which was created this year to combat the $700,000 budget deficit created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Donors could also give directly to any of UTC's sports programs, and every sport received financial support during the day.

"I am so grateful for every donor, no matter the size of the gift, who participated in Mocs Give Day," said Wharton. "We know how challenging the past seven months have been for everyone, and it means so much to me to see the support from our alumni, fans, parents, friends and staff."

Following Burrows, Paris and Wharton's lead, 100% of athletic department staff participated in Mocs Give Day/  It marked the second consecutive year of 100% staff giving, following last year's Drive for 25 effort.

The Mocs Fly Together Campaign was launched in early September with a goal of raising $700,000 by June 30, 2021 to overcome to the projected financial shortfall. Football Season Ticket Holders were offered the opportunity to move their season ticket purchase into the Mocs Fly Together Fund upon the postponement for the fall season. Those efforts, combined with the Mocs Give Day success, have raised almost $200,000 to date.

"In order to continue setting our student-athletes up for success academically and athletically, we need everyone who cares about the Mocs to join us in our Mocs Fly Together Campaign," said Wharton. "We had great success with Mocs Give Day, but there is still plenty of opportunity to help us provide the necessary resources for our student-athletes to succeed in the classroom and in competition."

To learn more about the Mocs Fly Together Campaign, please visit www.GoMocs.com/MocsFlyTogether.