UW Athletics raises nearly $200,000 in 48 hours

LARAMIE -- In a 2:10 video posted to social media Wednesday, Wyoming athletic director Tom Burman called the ongoing cornavirus pandemic the "greatest adversity we have ever faced."

That could be a giant understatement.

UW's athletic department is set to lose upward of $15 million after the Mountain West Conference announced nearly two weeks ago that the league would postpone all fall sports, including the cash cow, football.

That means no television money, no butts in the seats, hot dogs, beers or ticket sales, among many other amenities.

What does that boil down to?

Less funding for scholarships, food, travel, medical care, uniforms and other needs for the university's 400-plus student-athletes.

"Now is thew time to support our student athletes like never before," Burman says in the video entitled, "WHYoming NOW."

In roughly 48 hours, UW supporters -- 141 donors, to be exact -- have raised $183,731 of a million-dollar goal set by the school.

"In response to the financial challenges ahead, UW Athletics is launching the WHYoming NOW campaign," says a press release issued by the university. "By giving to WHYoming NOW, you will be protecting the future of our student-athletes, alumni and fans and will be helping to maintain the proud tradition of Cowboy and Cowgirl Athletics that has been built over decades. Current projections show that a revenue loss approaching $15 million is possible, which would negatively impact the future of Wyoming Athletics."

Another surprise source of income has come from Wyoming season ticket holders. According to Davis Potter of the Casper Star Tribune, fans have allowed the school to keep roughly $120,000 in ticket sales.

Burman mentions in the video above that "tough decisions will have to be made" if the school can't replace funds lost in the fall. That could include furloughs in the athletic department, cuts in budgets and the loss of certain sports. The University of Iowa Thursday discontinued men's gymnastics, both swimming and diving teams and men's tennis.

"I know the Wyoming community will respond and we will get the job done," Burman said.

If you want to donate to University of Wyoming athletics, you can do that right HERE.