Binghamton University athletics gets $22M boost from anonymous donor

VESTAL, N.Y. — An anonymous donor has provided $22 million to increase scholarship support for the NCAA Division I sports programs at Binghamton University. At the same time, New York State is allocating $11 million to create a $33 million endowment to expand scholarships for student-athletes across multiple sports. The $22 million anonymous donation is one of the largest in the history of Binghamton University athletics, the university noted. “This extraordinary act of generosity will have an immediate and lasting impact on our student-athletes, coaches and the entire Binghamton campus,” Harvey Stenger, president of Binghamton University, said in the announcement. The gift will create the equivalent of 40 new full athletic scholarships, divided evenly between men’s and women’s sports, raising most programs to the NCAA maximum or near-maximum scholarship levels, the university said. “This gift will ensure our coaches can recruit and retain top talent while providing our student-athletes with the resources to excel on the field and in the classroom,” Gene Marshall, director of athletics at Binghamton University, said. “It is a game-changer for Bearcat Athletics.” The university says its athletics programs have enjoyed success in recent years, producing multiple conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances. That includes the 2025 Binghamton Bearcats baseball and softball teams. The Bearcats are members of the America East Conference for most sports. Recent scholarship changes by the NCAA have ratcheted up the competition for student-athletes, raising the stakes for universities to attract donations and sponsorships to help fund their programs. The $22 million donation positions Binghamton University to build on its momentum and strengthen its national profile, the university contended. “This incredible act of generosity will help transform countless lives and improve access for student-athletes at Binghamton University,” SUNY Chancellor John King, Jr. said in the school’s announcement. “With recent changes by the NCAA increasing competition for great student-athletes, this scholarship will help Binghamton University compete at an elite level. I offer my deep appreciation to the anonymous donor for the support of Binghamton University’s student athletic programs.”