Success! Men’s Soccer Community Meets Matching Challenge

The 2016 season is already off to a good start for the Carnegie Mellon men's soccer program.

This past fall, soccer alumnus Young Kang E'92 made a leadership gift of $25,000 to establish the Young Kang Matching Campaign. Kang agreed to match every financial donation made to the men's soccer program for the 2015-16 fiscal year – up to $25,000. At the time of his challenge in December 2015, $7,335 had already been contributed to the team's Tartan Fund, leaving a remaining $17,665 to be raised prior to the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2016.

With the fiscal year now closed, the men's soccer team is proud to announce that it exceeded the goal set by Kang with a total of $26,357.73 in contributions. Gifts were received from more than 50 donors, including active members of the men's soccer team, current and past parents of student-athletes and program alumni.

"Our men's soccer community answered Young's challenge in a big way, and the impact on our program will be transformative," said Director of Athletics Josh Centor. "I am grateful to Young for his vision and leadership, and the resources dedicated to the program will have a profound influence on student experience. This is the start of something special for Carnegie Mellon men's soccer."

The direct result of the leadership by Young Kang and his challenge to the entire Carnegie Mellon men's soccer community resulted in record giving to the program.

"I'm ecstatic that we were able to achieve our goal for this campaign," said Kang. "It would not have been possible without tremendous effort from so many people who contribute financially and even more so with their time."

Funds raised from the matching challenge will be utilized for specific purposes to enhance the men's soccer program, including a 2017 team trip to compete in California, improved apparel and program branding, upgraded technology for the coaching staff, increased recruiting resources and flexibility for additional coaching support.

"The donation from Mr. Kang is greatly appreciated by myself and the entire men's soccer program," said Andrew Ferber, a junior goalkeeper. "This type of donation will strengthen and help grow our program. Seeing someone like Mr. Kang donate, and having his challenge met in full with the added support from parents and alumni gives us as student-athletes an even stronger drive to improve both as players and men.

"The team trip to compete in California is something that will build team chemistry immensely and propel our team further than last year's NCAA run. Our coaching staff has done a good job developing a style and identity for our squad. With new resources that can be used for recruitment and upgraded technology, there are no limits to what we can achieve."

The men's soccer team finished the 2015 season with an 11-4-3 record and an NCAA tournament berth. The team will begin the 2016 campaign on Thursday, September 1 at home against Muskingum University.