INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Oct. 25, 2015) – The NCAA has released its final list of 2014-15 donations for Make-A-Wish, with Edinboro University once again among the Division II leaders. In fact, Edinboro raised more money than any other school in Division II, and that helped the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference lead all 24 Division II conferences in monies raised.
 
For the first time ever, NCAA Division II raised over $600,000 in a single academic year for Make-A-Wish.  The grand total for the 2014-15 academic year was $605,248.21 – setting a new record again.  This was just over $37,000 more than the previous record set in 2013-14. This brings the grand total raised since the beginning of the sponsorship 12 years ago (2003-04) to just over $4.1 million - $4,100,026 to be exact – resulting in over 530 wishes being granted to deserving kids throughout the country. 
 
Through the hard work of Director of Athletics Bruce Baumgartner, the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), the HPE Department, and the Communication Department, Edinboro raised a total of $13,665.11 in 2014-15. That bested all Division II institutions, with Molloy College next with $13,154.25 and Dixie State third ($12,670). Edinboro spearheaded the effort by the PSAC, which in total brought in $53,493.51, over $13,000 more than the Peach Belt Conference. Edinboro was the lone PSAC institution in the top 20.
 
"This is extremely gratifying," related Baumgartner.  "I commend our student-athletes for the commitment they have made to Make-A-Wish. Also, this now means we will host another wish unveiling. We have been fortunate to host wish unveilings the last two years, and I think it goes without saying that there has not been another more heartwarming event in McComb Fieldhouse.
 
"I also believe that our student-athletes have seen the joy that a wish unveiling brings, and that has motivated them to work even harder to assist the goals of Make-A-Wish," he continued. "It has really had a snowball effect. I thank our student-athletes, and in particular, the many parents and fans, including the student body and community, who show up to our events and contribute."
 
This marks the third straight year that Edinboro has finished among the Division II leaders in Make-A-Wish donation, and tops in the PSAC, and has been granted the opportunity to unveil a wish. Edinboro was third in donations in 2013-14 with $10,767.98, leading to a Hawaiian vacation for Isabella Linz.  The eight-year-old was diagnosed with very long-chain acyl-COA dehydrogenase deficiency, a life-threatening condition that prevents the body from converting certain fats to energy.
 
In 2012-13, Edinboro raised $9,424.53 to finish fifth among Division II institutions. That led to the first wish being granted, as Layla, a pit bull puppy, was presented to Austin Hawk, along with numerous other items necessary to keep a puppy happy and healthy.
 
Now the Edinboro community can once again look forward to another wish being granted. "It's a night I greatly look forward to," Baumgartner concluded. "We will again look to make it one of the most special nights our wish recipient will ever have." 

 
Top 20 Institutions:
 

1. Edinboro University of Pennsylvania 13,665.11 2. Molloy College 13,154.25 3. Dixie State University 12,670.00 4. Lubbock Christian University 11,615.87 5. University of North Georgia 11,102.00 6. Saint Leo University 10,084.00 7. University of California, San Diego 9,593.54 8. Missouri University of Science and Technology 9,006.00 9. Delta State University 8,473.50 10. Georgia College and State University 8,122.22 11. Dominican University of California 8,080.10 12. Arkansas Tech University 8,019.17 13. Pittsburg State University 7,556.56 14. Barry University 7,055.00 15. Grand Valley State University 7,000.00 16. Flagler College 6,815.00 17. Union University 6,388.00 18. Texas A&M University-Commerce 6,318.57 19. Northwestern Oklahoma State University 6,120.00 20. Lindenwood University 6,002.00

 
 
Conference Rankings:
 

1.	Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference	$53,493.51
2.	Peach Belt Conference	$40,312.95
3.	Pacific West Conference	$32,911.57
4.	Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference	$30,117.10
5.	East Coast Conference	$28,131.59
6.	Gulf South Conference	$27,015.21