The St. Thomas football team was named the top fundraising team in the nation after it raised the most money out of 3,405 university clubs, organizations and sports teams across the country for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Tight end Charlie Dowdle said the fundraiser was an unbelievable experience and that developing off the field is one of the St. Thomas football program’s goals.

“Being the top school is a tribute to the coaching staff and the players. We’re here to play football, but we love to do things like this,” Dowdle said. “It feels good, and it’s pretty cool to help out those who need it.”

The football program has worked with the hospital since 2004. The partnership began with St. Thomas hosting Up ’til Dawn events on campus and has grown tremendously over the years, according to both Dowdle and coach Glenn Caruso.

Caruso spoke of a young man at St. Jude battling cancer and said the boy’s attachment to the team allows the football players to see what exactly they are working for.

“There’s nothing better than fighting for a worthy cause, and St. Jude is as worthy as it gets,” Caruso said.

Dowdle said this year the football team wanted to do a fundraiser on its own to see what team members could accomplish together.

“The student body does their own fundraiser for St. Jude, and this year we did our own with the football team. We shared the info with friends and family, posted on social media and got the word out any way possible,” Dowdle said. “People donated. It shows all of us that we can do a lot together.”

The team raised around $14,000 for St. Jude and will be honored for its accomplishment during halftime of the annual spring football game on May 16 at O’Shaughnessy Stadium.

Dowdle said the most rewarding part of the fundraiser was witnessing the number of people who stepped up and made donations to support the cause.

“The cool part about it was how many people were willing to help,” Dowdle said. “So many helped out because they respect the program and what we do here at St. Thomas.”

St. Jude will reward a select few members of the football team by flying them to Memphis, Tennessee this summer for the annual Collegiate Leadership Seminar. Other students from across the country will attend as well to tour the facilities and learn more about the program and its mission. Dowdle said the experience will be special.

“We’re really excited. They do a lot of amazing work, and St. Jude is the biggest charity we work with, so it will be fun to see who we are helping out and see how it all works,” Dowdle said.

Caruso said he was extremely proud of his team for its accomplishment.

“Before we recruit athletes and football players, we recruit people and we try to recruit the right type of people,” Caruso said. “This achievement tells me that our kids are well-rounded individuals. People look at us on the field, but our team is much deeper than that.”

Travis Swan can be reached at swan9954@stthomas.edu.