MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois University Athletics will begin its renewal period for Leatherneck Club memberships today, Monday, March 24. The Leatherneck Club helps to fund student-athlete scholarships, facility enhancements, technology upgrades, sport-specific needs, student-athlete development, and academic resources for WIU's nearly 400 student-athletes across 18 NCAA Division I teams.

"Our first full year in the Ohio Valley Conference came as a smooth transition largely because of the support and investment we had from our Leatherneck Club members," said Director of Athletics, Paul A. Bubb. "The landscape of college athletics is shifting rapidly, and our ability to adapt and thrive hinges on the strength of our annual fund support. To compete at the highest level and attract top talent to WIU, we must continue building our financial resources in 2025."

Our mantra of Many Teams, One Goal: Student Success continues to ring true for WIU Athletics. Here are just a few of the highlights from 2024: 

• SIX teams earned Top 5 Finishes in the conference: Women's Indoor Track & Field (3), Women's Outdoor Track & Field (3), Men's Basketball (4), Men's Indoor Track & Field (5), Women's Golf (5), and Men's Outdoor Track & Field (5);

• We set a new record during the Western Challenge in April 2024, raising nearly $180,000 for Leatherneck Athletics, marking a 454% increase from the 2023 Western Challenge; 

• New graphics and stadium signage at Hanson Field were made possible through the football team's $50k Before Kickoff campaign, which raised nearly $80,000; 

• Sophomore Pole Vaulter Arnie Grunert jumped 17 feet 1.5 inches to finish in 17th place overall at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships held in Eugene, Oregon;

• Softball hosted their second annual Hit-A-Thon and raised over $20,000, more than doubling the previous year's total; 

• Head Men's Basketball Coach Chad Boudreau earned his 100th win as a head coach in November 2024;

• Keyana Cruse made history as she became first all-time in the volleyball record books for kills in a single season, helping WIU Volleyball advance to the conference tournament for the second year in a row; 

• Sean Smith became the first men's basketball player in OVC history to record back-to-back triple-doubles and just the third OVC player to record multiple triple-doubles in the same season (joining UT Martin's Lester Hudson and Murray State's Ja Morant); 

• During #GivingTuesday in December, we set another new record, raising $44,425, a 65 percent increase from the previous year's total.

The success of 2024 has continued into the early part of 2025, as well.

• Sophomore Raegan McCowan became the fastest player in WIU women's basketball history to score 1,000 points (doing so in just 50 games); 

• Sophomore Pole Vaulter Emma Ponx has now broken the program record for women's indoor pole vault three times this season;

• Marko Maletic set a new program record for three pointers made in a single season for men's basketball with 87 made; and 

• Leatherneck Women's Basketball earned an at-large bid to the WNIT, advancing to the second round.

"We are so grateful for the support of the Leatherneck Club during what turned out to be another record-breaking year for WIU Athletics," said Associate Athletic Director for External Relations, Dr. Tayler Onion. "Our membership stepped up in a big way last year, helping us to raise 47 percent more than we did in 2023. Every contribution helps as we look to break more records in 2025!"

The Leatherneck Club membership benefits and levels remain unchanged for the 2025-2026 academic year. As you consider stepping your support up to a new level this year, remember that only Leatherneck Club members have access to the following: 

• Access to advanced season ticket sales; 

• Access to reserved and priority parking for football and men's and women's basketball; 

• Access to reserved season tickets in Section D (for football and men's and women's basketball); and

• Access to hospitality areas at football and men's and women's basketball. 

Additionally, Leatherneck Legends, WIU Athletics' debut major gift society, is heading into its second year. It was officially introduced as a new level of recognition in September 2024 for donors who pledge $25,000 ($5,000 per year) or more over five years. 

"The forward progress we experienced as a department in 2024 must continue into 2025 and beyond in order for Leatherneck Athletics to be successful in the OVC," said Bubb. "Competitive advantages are what will give us an edge in recruiting elite athletic talent to WIU to compete for conference championships and NCAA appearances. Your support makes a difference!"

The 2025-26 renewal period officially begins Monday, March 24, and any membership renewed between now and April 24 can be made as early gifts to the Western Challenge. Existing Leatherneck Club members can also expect to see renewal information in the mail in the next week. Those interested in Leatherneck Club membership for the 2025-2026 academic year can see more information by clicking here.