CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard Athletics is pleased to announce that Michael '88 and Ingrid MBA'94 McConnell have established a fund to permanently support the purchase and distribution of Department of Harvard Athletics "DHA" sweatshirts for all scholar-athletes who participate in one of Harvard's 42 varsity sports.
Long a visible symbol of the special community to which varsity athletes belong, the equipment room issues these DHA sweatshirts annually and they quickly become a coveted collector's item marking every year of a student's athletic participation. Crimson pride runs deep as alumni-athletes returning to Cambridge are often seen sporting these treasured sweatshirts even decades after their last competition.
Mike and Ingrid are firm believers in the mission of Harvard Athletics – to build community and pride in Harvard and to educate through athletics. Athletic participation helps students grow, learn and develop lifelong friendships through competition, while they use and develop their personal, physical, and intellectual skills. And having successful athletic teams generates unique excitement across Harvard's campus and community, building collegiate loyalty and helping strengthen bonds among the various arms of the university.
Mike reflected, "Harvard and its athletic program impacted my life in so many meaningful and positive ways. I met exceptional teammates and classmates, experienced the shared value and joy of competition and learned to think critically. I remain grateful for the opportunity Harvard provided to me as a student-athlete."
Mike was a three-year member of the football team and varsity letterwinner, suiting up as a wingback for the Crimson. He was a resident of North House, economics major and Big Brother Volunteer. Mike is an active member of the Friends of Harvard Football, the Harvard Varsity Club and has been an alumni interviewer for over 30 years.
"I am grateful to Mike and Ingrid for supporting this beloved DHA tradition for many generations to come," said Erin McDermott, The John D. Nichols '53 Family Director of Athletics. "Our student-athletes represent Harvard proudly as they pursue excellence in the classroom and in competition. Wearing the Crimson is a worthy accomplishment and I am delighted that our teams will continue to wear their DHA sweatshirts as part of that proud tradition."
