CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Queens Athletics is excited to launch Investing In Champions today, the annual week of generosity designed to elevate the student-athlete experience. For Women's Basketball this is an opportunity to engage with the alumni, fans, and community standing behind the program.  

"Donor support is what helps turn the vision into a real, life-changing experience for our athletes," says Head Coach Jen Brown. "It provides resources that allow us to give them opportunities, equipment, experiences, and support that might otherwise be out of reach. Beyond the financial piece, it tells our athletes that their community believes in them." 

Brown hopes, above all, her athletes become the kind of people who make a positive impact wherever life takes them — confident, resilient, humble, and willing to invest in others.  

That mindset shows up in alumnae like Aylesha Wade, a 2025 graduate now on staff as an assistant coach. "Being able to walk into the gym every day as a coach for a program I once played for is something I don't take for granted," she says. "I want to help make sure our current players leave this program with an experience and relationships that mean just as much to them." 

This year, 15 student-athletes will take the court across 30 games — every one of them part of a growing program. "Competing for Queens means a lot to me because this is still a program that is building its name at the Division I level," says Mia Moore '27. "We have an opportunity to be part of building something and putting Queens on the map." Investing in Champions is how the Royals community helps write the next chapter. 

Check out this year's challenges, including the opportunity to be Assistant Coach for a day if you're one of the first five to give $1,000, and progress toward a $10,000 goal on the team's giving page. 

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.