WISCONSIN HERD RAISED OVER $12,000 FOR LOCAL CHARITIES FROM JERSEY AUCTIONS

Throughout the 2021-22 season, the Wisconsin Herd played in five specialty-themed jerseys which were auctioned off to raise over $12,000 for local charities around the state of Wisconsin. Each game-worn jersey featured sponsor & non-profit logos. The jerseys showcased a unique theme and were auctioned off to raise money for the nonprofit linked to the respective jersey. Fans could bid online or in person at games.

The first theme jersey featured a blaze orange color with camouflage antlers as a homage to kick-off deer hunting season in Wisconsin. The jerseys, sponsored by Fleet Farm, were auctioned off to raise money for the Wounded Warriors United of Wisconsin, which helps Wisconsin veterans engage in outdoor activities including hunting and fishing.

On Monday, November 29, the Herd wore one-of-a-kind BMO Art Jerseys. Students from over 16 schools were asked to draw a picture of what the Wisconsin Herd meant to them. 2,200 students submitted their artwork and a panel of team members and BMO staff picked five to feature on the jerseys. The five unique designs included the Herd mascot spinning a basketball, a deer wearing sunglasses, six hands of different races holding a basketball together, the Herd logo embedded into the earth and a colorful deer surrounded by basketballs.

The jerseys were sponsored by BMO and auctioned off to raise money for the Oshkosh Kids (OK) Foundation, which helps children of homeless and struggling families in the Oshkosh area. The OK Foundation follows five phases: Crisis Intervention, Community Partnership, Family Collaboration, Economic Stabilization and Post-Secondary Success.

The Herd’s third theme jersey celebrated the Wisconsin Flyers, a basketball team that was part of the Continental Basketball Association in the 1980s. The Flyers played all their home games in Oshkosh from 1982 to 1987 until they were relocated to Minnesota. The jerseys, sponsored by United Airlines, were auctioned off to raise money for Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI), which helps individuals with intellectual disabilities become accepted and valued members of their communities through sports. SOWI provides year-round opportunities to more than 10,000 athletes, of any age and skill level, across the state. SOWI showcases the talents and triumphs of people with intellectual disabilities through training and competitions in 18 Olympic-style sports.

On Friday, March 25, the Herd wore jerseys designed to resemble the Greek flag to celebrate Greek Independence Day. The jerseys were sponsored by The Wooster Brush Company and auctioned off to raise money for the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Fund, whose goal is to find a cure for childhood cancer and related blood disorders by providing funding for research. The MACC Fund has contributed over $70 million dollars to research, which has increased the five-year survival rate from 20% to 80% for all types of childhood cancer.

To help celebrate the city of Oshkosh during the Wisconsin Herd’s fan appreciation game, the team wore special OSH City Edition jerseys that resembled the Oshkosh city logo. The Oshkosh Area Community Foundation sponsored the jerseys with proceeds benefitting the Oshkosh Area School District and the Oshkosh Area School District Education Foundation. The Education Foundation’s mission is to provide financial resources to enhance the educational experience in the Oshkosh Area School District.

Next year the Herd will have a new slate of theme jerseys available for auction to raise needed funds for charities across the state. If interested in supporting these auctions in the future one can bid here or contact us at 920-233-HERD.