By: Orginally on NCAA.com by Asha Evans

NCAA Release

INDIANAPOLIS - The NSIC led all conferences in donations raised for Make-A-Wish during the 2025-26 academic year and had three school earn wish experiences.  The NSIC membership raising over $53,000, with $32,000 coming from Augustana, which led all NCAA Division II schools in fundraising for the second year in a row.

Augustana, Minnesota State and Wayne State are three of the 16 institutions that earned wish experiences for their efforts.  

Division II raised over $270,000 during the 2025-26 academic year to support Make-A-Wish, with $221,420 coming from Division II schools and conferences and $51,451 from the division’s championships and enforcement fine allocation.

Since 2003, the Division II membership has donated over $7 million to Make-A-Wish and helped grant over 700 wishes for children with critical illnesses.

“As NCAA Division II student-athletes, we emphasize the life-in-the-balance philosophy among college academics, athletics and community outreach,” said Rachel McCool, Ashland women’s soccer student-athlete and current national chair for the division’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

“It is fundamental to give back and to serve the communities that continue to support college athletics. As an official Division II partner, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has been an integral part of the development of student-athletes. We see the amazing impact that this foundation has on the families it serves. This serves as a reminder for our student-athletes that there is more to life than the games we play, and it is part of our mission to help make a positive change in our communities. I am excited to continue this partnership with Make-A-Wish and help raise money to support their impactful and moving mission.” 

Through its longstanding partnership with Make-A-Wish, Division II student-athletes, schools and conferences make an impact beyond competition by raising funds and creating meaningful experiences for children with critical illnesses. Since 2003, Division II has raised more than $7 million to help grant wishes across the country.

Learn more about the NCAA Division II Make-A-Wish partnership and how Division II members are helping create hope, strength and joy for wish kids and their families.

 

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