Keeping an important streak going, VCU Physical Therapy students raised the most funds for research to earn the Marquette Challenge for the fifth year in a row. For the next year, the event will be titled the VCU-Marquette Challenge to recognize this top finish. VCU raised $24,150.60 - representing nearly a fifth of the total $150,000 raised by PT programs across the country.

“Our profession is based on evidence-based practice, and we cannot provide good care to patients without evidence,” said Nada Youssef, Marquette Challenge coordinator for VCU’s Class of 2025. “Therefore, raising money for research will go back into directly helping our future patients.  

This year, students hosted two keynote events:

Golf tournament: More than 80 players, joined by another 20 for lunch, teed off in the annual PT golf tournament, according to Feather Wright, who chaired the program. The event was held in April at Hunting Hawk Golf Club.

Cornhole tournament: More than 40 students, faculty and friends participated in a cornhole tournament at Triple Crossing Brewery  on Oct. 26. Proceeds raised provide a starting point for the next year’s challenge.

Smaller activities throughout the year included bake sales and VCU PT merch revenues. Students also coordinated March Madness bracket and Super Bowl square challenges.

Established in 1989, the grassroots, student-led effort supports the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research. Going forward, the challenge is transitioning from an academic year to a calendar year, with the next award based on dollars generated during the second half of 2024 and through December 2025.