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With 47 team and individual national titles, and 197 conference crowns, the Salisbury University Sea Gulls are no strangers to championships.

Thanks to the generosity of long-time supporters Dr. Thomas "Tom" and Nancy Jones, future Sea Gull teams heading into postseason play will have some additional help with travel costs through the newly established Champions Fund.

"One thing I knew when I first arrived at Salisbury is that our teams are very successful," said Monica Gordy Polizzi, SU Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation. "What you don't see until you get here, however, is just how much it costs to operate beyond our regular season. The creation of this fund is critical to the continued success of our athletic department and I am grateful to Tom and Nancy for spearheading this effort that will help us travel and compete in the post-season while also rewarding our student-athletes for post-season success."

The new fund is unique in that it exists as an endowment, with a principal amount that will remain constant. The rest is for current use and accessible immediately by SU Athletics teams for postseason play needs. The fund is open to contributions, and donors can decide if they want to support the endowment's corpus or the current use funds when giving.

The initiative will help cover postseason travel expenses, such as busses, flights, hotels and meals for student-athletes on SU's 23 NCAA men's and women's varsity teams, as well as the purchase of championship rings and other awards.

"The cost of everything, from fuel to food, is on the rise, and that makes this fund more important than ever," said Tom Jones who, with his wife, Nancy, is making the initial commitment to start the endowment. "Since Salisbury has a lot of athletic success, this fund could be depleted quickly. That is why it is critical that donors step up and make a contribution to provide the best post-season experience we can for our Sea Gulls. We are honored to help get this crucial fund off the ground to help Salisbury University Athletics."

The Joneses are no strangers to SU. Tom began teaching in the University's Biological Sciences Department in 1977, retiring in 2007 after serving nine years as the dean of the Richard A. Henson School of Sciences and Technology and two years as the institution's provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. He and Nancy are both ardent Sea Gull fans.

As an incentive to donate to the Champions Fund, all contributors who make a commitment of $10,000 or more, in a single gift or as part of a multi-year pledge, will be members of the "Champions Circle," an organization recognizing top donors to the initiative. Each member will have their name on a donor wall on the Suite Level of Sea Gull Stadium; will receive a Champions Circle lapel pin; and, when teams win National Championships, will receive an exclusive commemorative gift along with the team.

All supporters of the fund will be invited to exclusive gatherings each year, as well as championship team reunions. Donors who contribute $50,000 or more in total will receive a ring whenever teams win national championships. As with all athletic giving, donors immediately become members of SU's Maroon & Gold Club, which offers additional benefits, including prime seating to watch as the Sea Gulls pave the way to even more national titles.

"I am confident those numbers will grow each year," said Polizzi. "We have to make sure we can continue to support all of our Sea Gull student-athletes and coaches as they continue to represent SU so well."

Salisbury University Athletics is renovating its east campus sports performance center later this year thanks to a gift from the Huffman Family Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Huffman Family Brands.

Sea Gull student-athletes soon will be able to work out in a completely updated, reimagined performance center. The Huffman Family Sports Performance Center will be located on east campus, near Sea Gull Stadium, and replace the current weight room facility.

This donation reflects The Huffman Family Foundation’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the success and wellbeing of student-athletes and is part of its broader initiative to foster excellence in individuals and institutions that make a positive difference in the lives of students, families and communities. The renovation of the Sports Performance Center will include state-of-the-art fitness equipment, updated training spaces and branding expected to help student-athletes train at the highest level and feel inspired as Sea Gulls. The facility will be designed to support the physical wellbeing of all athletes, providing them with the resources they need to excel in their athletic endeavors and personal health journeys.

“We are proud to champion Salisbury Athletics and its unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Richard Huffman, founder and chief executive officer of Huffman Family Brands. “We believe that success is built on a foundation of high performance, and this renovation is a direct investment in the student-athletes’ ability to train, compete and thrive. By enhancing their facilities, we’re not only elevating their competitive edge but also fostering a culture of resilience, growth and achievement—both on and off the field.”

The need for this renovation was driven by the growing demand for improved training facilities in collegiate athletics. With student-athletes pushing themselves harder than ever before, the previous facility had reached its limits in terms of space, equipment and modern training technologies. By investing in the renovation, The Huffman Family Foundation is addressing these needs and ensuring that athletes have access to cutting-edge tools to maximize their performance and minimize injury.

“We are incredibly grateful for this donation and the vision behind it,” said Monica Polizzi, Salisbury University director of athletics and campus recreation. “The new facility will play a pivotal role in elevating our student-athletes' training experience and their overall wellbeing. With the support of the Huffman Family, we are confident our student-athletes will be even better equipped to achieve their full potential in competition, in the classroom and in our community.”

The gift will allow Salisbury Athletics to purchase all new sports performance equipment and facility enhancements. It also is the driving force for a giving campaign that started on Tuesday, April 1, the University's Giving Day, for the new Sports Performance Center. While the gift covers all the equipment, branding and signage, infrastructure repairs first need to be made. Polizzi hopes those who can, will consider helping support the center needs this Giving Day to help expedite the process of renovating the space.

Honoring our past, Cementing our Future:

As a Salisbury University Swim Team alumnus, family member, or supporter, you know the dedication, hard-work and desire it takes to compete.  You have helped set the tone for who Salisbury Swimming is and where they are going.

It is with that thought in mind that we not only ask for your support, but want to honor your commitment and accomplishments.

As we look to enhance our facility with unique branding, worthy of our program, and purchase new equipment and training needs vital for our program’s growth, we have created this unique fundraiser that celebrates our Salisbury Swim alumni and friends.