PRESS RELEASE: Le Moyne College Partners with Legends To Raise $40 Million in Athletics Fitness and Wellness Fundraising Campaign

Le Moyne College has entered into a five-year agreement with Legends to raise $40 million to support the upcoming renovation of the Thomas J. Niland Jr. Athletic Complex. Le Moyne graduate Mike Behan ’05 serves as president of Legend’s College Division, which provides leading collegiate organizations and events with an industry-leading comprehensive service solution. 

“This partnership will benefit the entire campus community,” said Le Moyne President Linda LeMura. “The planned renovations to the Niland complex will add to and upgrade our fields, fitness and wellness facilities used by students, faculty and staff, as well as those living in the neighborhoods surrounding campus. Working with Legends will allow our advancement and innovation team to continue to focus on academics and other key areas of fundraising.” 

Legends, a global premium experiences company, launched its philanthropy practice in 2017 and has built a successful fundraising track record, including work with the University of Notre Dame, the University of Oklahoma, the University of Southern California, Villanova University, and the Rose Bowl, among many others. All told, the company has assisted in maximizing revenue associated with more than $2 billion in new and renovated facility projects. The company’s IQ division provides the business intelligence driving and informing its work.

“I’m excited that we are bringing in a global leader to help us achieve our goals in the athletics, fitness and wellness areas,“ said Jim Joseph ’83, Ed.D. ’23, vice president for advancement and innovation and dean of the Madden College of Business and Economics. “Working seamlessly as one team, advancement and innovation and Legends will also procure resources for athletic scholarships and other athletic-focused endowment funds.”

In addition to working on gifts to fund the immediate athletics needs, Legends approach is to develop a sustainable fundraising model to provide for annual gifts going forward, building a culture of athletic philanthropy that will develop a pipeline for major gifts in the future.  

“It brings me great pride that Legends has the privilege to partner with Le Moyne, my alma mater,” said Behan. “This is a transformative time for Le Moyne given its recent move to Division I. We look forward to supporting the College in reaching new heights!”