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Gary Mioli Leadership in Community Fund

A legacy of "helping others"

Gary's legacy "is all about helping others," says his wife Patty. "That's what this whole scholarship fund does":

A legacy of "helping others"

Gary's legacy "is all about helping others," says his wife Patty. "That's what this whole scholarship fund does":

  • $28,350

    Amount awarded to date

  • 34

    Organizations that have benefited from the fund

  • 9

    Philanthropy tournament winners

2023 Philanthropy Tournament Winner

Watch the winning Zoom presentation from senior Andy Mason.

2023 Philanthropy Tournament Winner

Watch the winning Zoom presentation from senior Andy Mason.

Helping sport management students make an impact through philanthropy

The Gary Mioli Leadership in Community Fund honors the legacy of Gary Mioli ’79, who dedicated his professional life to leading young men, both on and off the football field, and who embodied the values of the University in leadership, service, and the education of the whole person. Gary was a Physical Education major and manager of the UD football team from 1975-79.

The fund, established in 2016, aims to raise $150,000 by 2024. The fund creates a platform for University of Dayton Sport Management students to make a meaningful impact in their communities by becoming advocates for 501(c)3 organizations whose service holds personal meaning.

Philanthropy tournament

Students enrolled in the Sales & Fundraising in Sport class (HSS 358) participate in a philanthropy tournament each fall. Students pitch the community organization they want to support, and the top four students (as selected by their class peers, a panel of sales & fundraising experts and the Sport Management Coordinator) have gifts donated to their respective charities in their names and in honor of Gary Mioli. This embodies the University’s unofficial mantra “Learn, Lead, Serve,” underscores the importance of community, and continues to honor and celebrate Gary’s life and legacy.


  • ALS Foundation for Life
  • Alzheimer’s Association
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  • Athletes For Hope
  • Brain Trauma Foundation
  • Can Do MS
  • CARES Foundation
  • Center for Adoption Support and Education
  • Children International
  • Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area (MI)
  • Dayton Children’s Hospital (OH)
  • EBDV Boruga
  • Epilepsy Foundation
  • KAREFarm
  • Lil MAC Kids Foundation (OH)
  • Mission Partners Guatemala (OH)
  • Move United
  • Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society
  • New Beginnings Recovery Mission (IL)
  • Oregon District Tragedy Fund (OH)
  • Partners in Prevention (Clark County, OH)
  • Pink Ribbon Good
  • PORT Health (NC)
  • Purple Pansies
  • Shanerock (OH)
  • Special Olympics
  • Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes Foundation
  • TCN Behavioral Health Services
  • The Compassionate Friends
  • The Michael J. Fox Foundation
  • The V Foundation for Cancer Research
  • Turnstone Center for Children & Adults with Disabilities

Thank you to the visionaries from the class of 1979, who not only brought Gary’s story to our attention, but also made donations: Karen Meaney, Jo Balsamo Wood and Claudia Wahl Lund.

Thank you to the following classmates of Gary's who supported the establishment of the fund with a founding gift:

  • Andrea Ambrosini
  • Andrew M. Balsai, Jr. '79 & Susan S. Balsai
  • Kevin W. Callahan '79
  • Ricky L. Chamberlin '80 & Jayne A. Chamberlin
  • Mary Condit '81
  • Genevieve Ditrani
  • Eileen A. Duffin '79
  • Margaret A. Heckman '79
  • Patricia A. Fink '78
  • Mary Zupp Moorman '82 & George A. Moorman '81
  • Geraldine Toomey O'Boyle '79 & Patrick A. O'Boyle
  • Christine Gruber Volk '79 & Richard Volk
  • George P. Van Horn, Ed.D. '80 & Bridgette Maschue Van Horn '83
  • Laura Peterson '79
  • Susan A. Poland '79
  • Judith K. Rettinger '79
  • Nancy E. Roach '79
  • Denise Robicheaux
  • Kathryn Janosco Smith '79

Related Links

current amount: $140,502, goal amount: $150,000
Make a donation

The University of Dayton is committed to providing an education extending beyond the walls of the University. The Sport Management program allows students to gain real life experience, which includes making a positive impact on the lives of those around them. Donations to the Gary Mioli Leadership in Community Fund help support our students’ opportunities to learn more about and to experience the importance of community giving first hand. To make a donation, call 888-253-2383, donate online, or mail checks to the address below:

Gary Mioli Leadership in Community Fund
c/o Advancement Relations
University of Dayton
300 College Park
Dayton, OH 45469-7056

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CONTACT

Department of Health and Sport Science

Fitz Hall
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469 - 2968
937-229-4240
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