CHICAGO -- The Flames Athletic Fund (FAF), the primary fundraising arm of UIC Athletics, announced the launch of The Flames Challenge on Monday, an effort to grow support for the Excellence Funds of each of UIC's 18 sport programs.
 
This new initiative provides an easy to engage opportunity for former UIC Student-Athletes to support a specific program, generating incremental resources and scholarship support that will enable the Flames to compete at an elite level in the Missouri Valley Conference.
 
"We are thrilled to launch The Flames Challenge and provide the opportunity for former UIC student-athletes to give back to the institution that help put them on a path to success," said UIC Deputy Director of Athletics Frank M. Cuervo. "As we compete in our inaugural season in the Missouri Valley Conference, I feel confident that our most ardent supporters will rise to the challenge and support our programs at a championship level."
 
The Flames Challenge, which will match UIC sport programs against one another in a friendly competition, will begin on Monday, October 3 and will end at 11:59 p.m. on December 2, in coordination with the conclusion of UIC's award winning 'Giving Tuesday' effort.
 
UIC's sports have been separated into flights based on program alumni size and gender. There are two flights for men's programs and two for women's programs. The Flames Challenge winners will be determined based on four metrics: total dollars raised, total number of participants, new donors and donor retention.
 
Each program will be ranked based on performance in each of the four metrics. The four rankings will be averaged to produce the program's final ranking within each flight. The program with the lowest score in the flight will be the winner. Each flight will have a men's and women's team winner (4 winners total).
 
To participate in The Flames Challenge click here; next, find your respective program and donate to that team. Individuals can check back at any time to see where your team stands in comparison. Alumni may also donate by contacting the Flames Athletic Fund at 312-996-9002 or via e-mail at FAF@uic.edu.
 
For more information about the Flames Challenge, click here.