The Notre Dame Women's Boxing Club showcased the product of its numerous practice hours at the annual Power 24 Hour fundraiser Oct. 12 and 13.
Each member of the team signed up for two one-hour shifts between 8 a.m. Friday and 3 a.m. Saturday during which they performed their practice exercises for crowds outside South Dining Hall.
"Generally, we were doing jumping jacks and [ab] exercises and leg exercises like squats," senior co-captain Ragan Todd said. "Then, as a group, we would do a pushup for every dollar that was donated over the time period we were there."
A workout fundraiser fits well with the mission of the Boxing Club, co-president and co-captain MJDurkin said.
"It really showcases what we've been working on up to this point," she said. "We started training in August and now we're able to work out and do calisthenics, and it's what we're training for. It really brings together the athletic and the charity natures of our club."
This year, the team raised nearly $2,000, the highest amount ever earned from this event. Durkin said last year was the first in which the club exercised for almost an entire day, and the lengthened event brought a corresponding increase in funds raised.
"In past years, it was just for one hour and we had the whole team out there in two groups doing exercises and we would raise about $500," she said. "This combination of all our efforts more than doubled any other year's [fundraising]."
The team donates all funds raised from Power 24 Hour and the annual Baraka Bouts boxing tournament to two Holy Cross schools in Uganda: Lakeview Secondary School and St. Joseph's Hill Secondary School.
"Last year was the first year we were able to donate to two schools," Durkin said. "The more money and more awareness we have, the more schools we can donate to."
Raising awareness of the team and its mission is a main goal of the Power 24 Hour fundraiser, Todd said.
"We are kind of a young club at this point and it's good to be able to let people know we are there," she said. "Out fights are coming up in two weeks and now we've gotten ourselves out there and let people know what we're doing and raising money for. Hopefully people will want to buy tickets and come see us fight."
The Baraka Bouts tournament begins Nov. 5, and boxers who win their first fight will advance to the final round on Nov. 8. Proceeds from the tournament constitute the majority of funds sent to the Holy Cross schools, Durkin said.
"We charge admission, and we have programs with [advertisements]," she said. "All our club members are also required to fundraise a minimum of $200 through ads or ticket sales or from their parents or friends."
Tickets for the tournament are on sale now and cost $6 for one night or $10 for both nights.
Contact Mel Flanagan at mflanag3@nd.edu
