OSHKOSH, Wis.- The UW-Oshkosh athletics department raised over 1,900 items in its second annual Take Down Hunger Food Drive. The 20 intercollegiate programs raise items for the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry each fall.
 
"I am extremely grateful that our drive has grown in its second year", said head men's wrestling coach Aaron Konitzer, who operates the food drive. "It's important during this time of year for us to give back to the community, and help those who may need a little extra as the holidays are in full swing. I appreciate UW-Oshkosh Athletics for its participation and contributions, and am excited to keep growing it each year!"
 
The program that is awarded the trophy each year is determined by items per student-athlete and not total items due to the large differences in roster sizes. This year, women's volleyball's 38.6 items per student-athlete won the trophy. The 2023 winner, swimming & diving, donated a program-best 986 items.
 
Women's volleyball was presented with the trophy after returning from the NCAA Division III Elite Eight in Salem, Va., the team's second consecutive trip to the national quarterfinal.
 
Jon Ellmann, the head women's volleyball coach, noted that it is important for Titan Athletics to support a community that does so much for student-athletes. "The Takedown Hunger Food Drive is an impactful and a fun initiative to participate in. From a departmental standpoint, we are all competitive and want to win the annual award." He continued, "Although winning the award is fun and gives us some bragging rights for the next year, the real victory however, is that our department gets to make an impact in our community. We receive so much support from the Fox Valley, many of our graduates start their post collegiate lives here, and for us to be able to provide any kind of support for our friends and neighbors is more fulfilling than anything we could accomplish on a court!"
 
The annual food drive generates a friendly competition between the 20 intercollegiate athletic programs and promotes supporting the Fox Valley during the holiday season.