Competing for a cause

Each fall, students in sport management professor Peter Titlebaum’s Sales and Fundraising class compete in a philanthropy tournament where students “pitch” a nonprofit organization they support to a panel of their peers in hopes of winning a prize for that charity. Tournament winners receive a $1,500 cash prize to donate in their name, second-place finishers earn $750 and there is $500 each for third and fourth place.

The Gary Mioli Leadership in Community Fund makes these annual donations possible. Gary Mioli ’79 was a beloved member of the UD community, a highly respected high school and college football coach and a fierce leader. His legacy lives on through this fund that ensures the yearly donations to the winners’ respective charities. Throughout the semester, the Sales and Fundraising students compete to raise money for a handful of causes, including the Gary Mioli fund.

“I’m always enlightened by the students’ willingness to share in the classroom about subjects they’ve kept private to their peers when they speak about their charities.”

“Of all the classes I’ve taught, this class is special because you can’t help but be impacted by learning more about your classmates and seeing them in new lights,” Titlebaum said. “I’m always enlightened by the students’ willingness to share in the classroom about subjects they’ve kept private to their peers when they speak about their charities.”

Senior Danny Barsanti won the fall 2020 philanthropy tournament with his advocacy for the New Beginnings Recovery Mission, located in the greater Chicago area. Founded by Daryl Pass in 2017, New Beginnings Recovery Mission aims to break the addictive cycle of alcoholism by providing shelter for 14 people between two houses. The organization hopes to become a licensed halfway home provider to help more individuals, and Barsanti’s donation will help finance housing costs, utility bills and renovations for the homes.

Through this fund, the Department of Sport Management has been able to donate $9,600 to 24 charities in the past six years. Individuals can choose to contribute to the Gary Mioli Leadership in Community Fund during One Day, One Dayton, UD’s annual giving day. This year’s event takes place April 14.