Alumni and Friends Making an Impact

Despite the rivalry between the Flyers and Bearcats, University of Dayton alumnus Joe Luckey ’91 found his professional calling within University of Cincinnati athletics. But the University of Dayton isn’t just another rival — it’s where he created lifelong relationships, both professionally and personally.

Luckey worked in the University of Dayton sports information office as a student worker under Doug Hauschild ’81, now the director of athletics communication media relations.

As a student worker, Luckey started by writing press releases and assisting coaches with sports information. He later became the sports information direct contact for women’s basketball and worked the Midwestern Collegiate Conference basketball tournaments hosted in Dayton, and by his senior year, he had the opportunity to work the Final Four in Indianapolis. 

“What Doug did for me as an undergraduate student gave me such an incredible opportunity for hands-on job experience,” shared Luckey. “I've been able to stay in touch with him since 1991. He served as not only a mentor, but an incredible friend to me and my family.”

Now serving as the executive senior associate director of athletics for student-athlete support services at the University of Cincinnati, Luckey had a unique opportunity to connect with his former mentor when the Flyers visited the Bearcats for a men’s basketball game last December.

“It just so happened that all the pregame duties that I have to do wrapped up early,” shared Hauschild. “Once Joe finished working we visited, and it was nice just to talk to him. Usually we meet up with our families and talk family stuff. This time we had a nice one-on-one conversation.”

After connecting at the game, Luckey felt inspired to designate his yearly donation to support athletic communication and media relations in honor of Hauschild.

As an 11-year member of the Front Porch Society, which honors donors who have made a gift of any amount to the University for the last three consecutive fiscal years, Luckey recognizes the importance of philanthropy. He gives back as a way to ensure Flyers have the same opportunity he did to experience the power of the UD community.

“I was able to build a professional relationship which turned into a personal relationship with Doug, and I also met an incredible group of friends. There are over 15 of us that still stay in contact with each other,” said Luckey. “UD really is about people and the relationships with professionals, but more importantly, the friends that you build there. And for me, those friendships have lasted over 30 years.”

Hauschild, a 42-year employee of UD and a 21-year member of the Front Porch Society, also donates regularly to the Champions & Scholars Fund. The fund provides additional scholarships for student-athletes, increases annual operating budgets, enhances and creates athletic facilities, and provides the ability to attract and retain outstanding student-athletes, coaches and staff.  He donates because he sees firsthand the immeasurable impact that UD Athletics has on his students.

“If it wasn't for the University of Dayton I wouldn't be the person that I am. So I think it's important to give back,” he shared.  “I attended here, my children attended here. I met my wife here. Being on a university campus and seeing young people like Joe who come in with such promise and see them grow to become who they are and then watch them be successful, it recharges my batteries to do that.”

For Hauschild, the opportunity to have any bit of influence on his students’ success is the most fulfilling and rewarding part of his job. His mission is to help his students thrive and become successful in their careers, families and communities.

“For Joe to feel strongly enough to donate to the University in my name knocks me over again. I'm so proud of all of my students,” Hauschild shared. “But there’s no one I'm more proud of than Joe.”