INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – For the second year in a row, Augustana University Athletics and its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee have led all of Division II in fundraising for its longstanding partner, Make-A-Wish. And, due to the fundraising success, Augustana SAAC, as well as other schools across the country, will get to host more wish experiences.
 
Augustana raised $32,000 during the 2025-26 school year to lead the nation while the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) paced all conferences as membership raised over $53,000.
 
"Seeing Augustana lead the nation in Make-A-Wish fundraising for the second year in a row is something I am incredibly proud of," said Kalena Suquet, the 2025-26 Augustana SAAC Secretary. "Make-A-Wish is very personal to me because my younger brother was granted a wish after being diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. Being part of SAAC and helping give other children and families those same meaningful experiences means so much to me."
 
"Getting to know each and every wish family on a personal level from our family fun day makes it 10x easier to help these families. This achievement reflects the amazing community we have at Augustana and what we can accomplish when we come together to make a difference. Knowing that our efforts help create lifelong memories for these families makes all the hard work worth it."
 
Division II raised over $270,000 during the 2025-26 academic year to support Make-A-Wish with $221,420 coming from Division II schools and conferences and $51,451 from the division's championships and enforcement fine allocation.
 
Over $7 million has been donated from Division II membership to Make-A-Wish, helping grant over 700 wishes for children with critical illnesses.
 
"As NCAA Division II student-athletes, we emphasize the life-in-the-balance philosophy among college academics, athletics and community outreach," said Rachel McCool, Ashland women's soccer student-athlete and current national chair for the division's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
 
"It is fundamental to give back and to serve the communities that continue to support college athletics. As an official Division II partner, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has been an integral part of the development of student-athletes. We see the amazing impact that this foundation has on the families it serves. This serves as a reminder for our student-athletes that there is more to life than the games we play, and it is part of our mission to help make a positive change in our communities. I am excited to continue this partnership with Make-A-Wish and help raise money to support their impactful and moving mission."
 
Schools earning wish experiences:
Anderson (South Carolina)
Augustana (South Dakota)
Belmont Abbey
Edinboro
Fairmont State
Findlay
Gannon
Kentucky Wesleyan
Millersville
Minnesota State Mankato
Missouri Southern State
North Georgia
Northern Michigan
Walsh
Wayne State (Nebraska)
West Chester
 
Through its longstanding partnership with Make-A-Wish, Division II student-athletes, schools and conferences make an impact beyond competition by raising funds and creating meaningful experiences for children with critical illnesses. Since 2003, Division II has raised more than $7 million to help grant wishes across the country.