Inside the Huddle: Exclusive Q&As with Top Fundraising Reps
- Gold Athletics
- Sep 19
- 5 min read
At Gold Athletics, fundraising fuels more than just budgets—it drives team culture, community pride, and athlete success. From uniforms to travel costs, the right fundraiser can be the difference between a good season and a great one.
In this blog, we go “inside the huddle” with Gold Athletics fundraising reps. They share their journeys, challenges, and what it takes to motivate teams and hit big goals.
Why Fundraising Matters
Fundraising has evolved far beyond candy bars and car washes. Today’s digital-first approach makes it easier than ever to reach supporters and track progress. But no matter the tools, success always comes down to buy-in—when coaches, athletes, and communities unite, results follow.
Inside the Game:
Q&A with Gold Athletics Fundraising reps
At Gold Athletics, our fundraising reps come from all walks of life—but they share a common goal: helping athletes and teams win off the field through fundraising. We spoke with reps across the Northeast to hear how they got started, what drives them, and what makes fundraisers successful.
Getting Started in Fundraising
Everyone enters this work for different reasons—some followed a lead, others followed a feeling. But they all stayed because of the impact.
Steve Ash (Director of Sales, Eastern NE): “I had some friends who had begun working with VG and were having some success, and told me to take a look. I asked about opportunities in other regions, as my wife Teresa and I were thinking of making a move to be closer to family. It turned out they were looking for reps in the Northeast, and we made the move north for a new adventure. 28 years later, here we are.”
Matt Curtis (Territory Manager, CT): “I got started with fundraising 5 years ago! When I first met with the GA team, I knew it could be a good fit… everyone was not only into sports, but it just felt like a great culture and group to be around. As the job started, that’s when I knew I could build myself into a career—and I haven't looked back!”
What Motivates Us
Helping teams is about more than just raising money—it’s about teaching responsibility, building culture, and earning what you work for.
Mark “Sharky” Chatalian (Territory Manager, Central MA): “The opportunity for the team to raise money for their needs and for the players to work on learning life skills… working towards a reward and earning it. I am a firm believer that if you don’t work and help the team, you should not be rewarded for no effort.”
Rob Lunenfeld (Territory Manager, MD/DE): “The rewarding part is when they thank you for being great to work with and always being there to answer questions. But it’s even better when they say we made it easy and helped them get what they needed to make their season successful.”
Tools That Make a Difference
Behind every great campaign are tools that make it smooth, motivating, and competitive—especially for athletes.
Rob Muniak (Territory Manager, OH): “The biggest difference makers are nice prizes and team leaderboard updates throughout the fundraiser. Guys like competition, and making a competition within the team is always a big motivator for some guys.”
Turning Around Tough Starts
Even the best fundraisers can hit a rough patch. But with a few smart moves, momentum can flip fast.
Matt Henry (Territory Manager, NJ): “Getting kids to participate and add contacts is always a challenge. I stress the preload feature, then offer extra incentives at kickoff if they hit their contact goal. I also work to avoid ‘fundraising fatigue’ by keeping it competitive and fun, and offering options that other companies don’t have outside of Gold Athletics.”
John Rudick (Director of Sales, NY): “We had a very slow start at Scotia-Glenville Football—little impact after the first week. We ran a 30-minute phone blitz, gave out a few prizes, and got everyone texting and calling. Turned out about a third of the team wasn’t even on the app or didn’t understand how to use it. In 30 minutes, we raised over $1,000. By the end of the weekend, we jumped from $3,000 to $11,000.”
Steve Ash: “Some coaches are satisfied too early. Tyngsborough Football was at $19,000, and the coach wanted to skip the final phone blitz. I pushed back—‘It’s the final whistle—let’s finish strong.’ The coach backed me up and told the team, ‘Some of you have done little to nothing—now’s the time.’ In 30 minutes, they raised another $3,000, and by Monday, hit $28,000. That follow-through made all the difference.”
Fundraisers We’re Proud Of
Some fundraisers go so well, they stick with you—not just for the money raised, but for how teams come together to get it done.
Tyler Turgeon (Fundraising Coach, VT): “My first Gold Card fundraiser with Canton Football was one I’m really proud of. After shadowing Bob White, I ran my own fundraisers. Coach Dobbs and his team were great. It went smoothly for both programs—with tumblers and Gold Cards—making the most money they’d ever made, in the shortest time, and hassle-free for the coach. That’s what it’s all about.”
Jeremy Friel (Territory Manager, NY): “Shaker Boys Soccer has partnered with us for years on Gold Card and donation fundraisers. Coach Dan Fountain runs a championship-level program. They raised over $30,000 in just a few short weeks to help with equipment, team building, apparel, and their banquet. They win on the field and in fundraising.”
Surprise Success Stories
Some teams blow past expectations—those are the campaigns that even surprise the reps.
Evan Flanagan (Fundraising Coach, Eastern MA): “Foxboro Girls Volleyball raised almost $16K this fall! They raised about $13,500 last year and crushed that this year.”
Matt Curtis: “Wilton Lacrosse in 2023 surprised me. After one day, they had already raised $10,000. That’s when I realized how powerful our Gold Athletics app is, and how precise our system is. They ended up raising over $25,000—and they’re one of many I’ve seen go over $20,000, even $30K–$40K!”
Advice for First-Time Coaches
New to fundraising? Success comes down to consistency, leadership, and team culture.
John Rudick: “Look at who’s having success and who’s not every day. If you’re not motivating and helping—even for just a few minutes daily—your team will follow that lead. Be engaged. Effort and focus breed success. It doesn’t take much, but it creates movement.”
Rob Muniak: “Most fundraisers can get done in just a couple hours of work. The key is discipline—and culture. If the team culture is strong, the athletes will get it done no matter what.”
Coach Leadership = Fundraiser Success
No campaign works without a coach driving it forward. At Gold Athletics, we see it every day.
Brian Ludwig (Director of Sales, Mid-Atlantic): “It all starts with the coach. If they’re motivated, they’ll motivate the players. I always hold a game plan meeting to set expectations—just like you’d prep for a Friday night game. If you promote the fundraiser, hold the kids accountable, and make it part of your routine, they’ll follow. If you put it on the back burner, they will too. This isn’t a go out and try fundraiser—it’s a go out and get it done fundraiser.”
Looking Ahead
Fundraising is moving digital, with contactless giving and app-driven programs leading the way. Experience-based fundraisers like sweepstakes and Gold Cards boost excitement, while partnerships with organizations like PIAA, MSSADA, and NHADA help teams scale long-term success.
Across every story, one theme is clear: when teams, coaches, and communities commit together, fundraising becomes more than money—it builds pride, unity, and opportunity.
Ready to elevate your next fundraiser? Contact Gold Athletics now to get started today and raise the bar for your program.
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