CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Today marks the launch of Investing in Champions, Queens Athletics' annual giving campaign. Every gift this week to Men's Basketball supports the student-athletes chasing their dreams by funding the recruiting efforts, practice essentials, daily operations, and championship moments. 

"Queens Men's Basketball has been a dream come true for me," says Seamus Wilson '29. "Ever since I was a bobblehead kid, I wanted to play college basketball, and being here has been an answer to years of prayer."  

How do you get to those championship moments? For Head Coach Grant Leonard, it's about setting the bar and maintaining it. "This team is built on consistent work and standards," he says. 

For Wilson, that standard is part of what makes the program worth being a part of. "It means a lot to be a part of a program that cares about excellence and holds itself to a high standard, even in our first years as a Division I program," he says. "Not many schools would be able to do that. Queens Men's Basketball has been a gift, a standard, and a supportive community for me and my life going forward." 

One moment stands out above the rest. "The Selection Sunday celebration was an amazing display of the supportive community here on campus and in Charlotte," Wilson says. "Practically the whole school was at the event, and the crowd was hyped and jumping. It was a surreal and historical moment for the school, and it's a moment that I will not forget." 

Wilson, and every single player on this year's roster, is not here by mistake. And they don't plan to forget that anytime soon. "I am incredibly grateful to Coach Leonard and the Queens Men's Basketball staff for taking a chance on me," he says. "Ten years from now, I will feel the same, if not more grateful." 

For Leonard, gratitude extends to those who invest in the team. "Every dollar helps enhance their experience," he says. With generosity and pride in Queens paving the way, the team anchors itself in the city. "We build community through basketball: camps, tournaments, and everything that comes with it." 

This week, you can play a role in this life-changing experience. The program has a fundraising goal of $50,000; every gift is an investment in the standard this program holds itself to, on the court and off it. 

Check out this year's challenges and progress toward the goal at this link!

Investing In Champions is October 2-9, 2026. Unlock Royals Club benefits with gifts of $100 or more. For questions or information on issuing your own challenge, please reach out to Danielle Evans-Clan, director of athletics advancement, at evanscland@queens.edu.