Record-Breaking $215k Raised at 2024 USA Triathlon Foundation Gala, Presented by TicketSocket
by USA Triathlon
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J — On Sept. 12, the USA Triathlon community gathered in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for the USA Triathlon Foundation “A Celebration of Sport” Gala, Presented by TicketSocket, where they raised a record-breaking $215,000 to support youth participation, access and inclusion, and Olympic and Paralympic dreams.
This year’s Gala celebrated the 2023 USA Triathlon Athletes, Race Director and Coaches of the Year, in addition to the 2023 Multisport Lifestyle Award winners, all presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare. The Foundation also introduced a new award, THE ALEXANDER, named in honor of passionate triathlete Dave Alexander, who has made lasting contributions to the Foundation.
The award annually honors an outstanding NCAA women’s triathlete who excels not only on the triathlon racecourse, but also demonstrates exemplary achievements in academics and community service. The first-ever recipient, Hailey Poe of North Central College, was celebrated next to the two finalists Natalia Hidalgo Martinez from Queens University of Charlotte and Sabrina Fleig of Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Additionally, Fred Sommers, a lifelong resident of Clermont, Florida, won the Race Director of the Year Award, presented by the U.S. Air Force Special Warfare. Sommers' impact on triathlon spans decades, from launching his first race in 1984 to creating the longest-running independent full-distance triathlon in the world, the Great Floridian Ultra-Distance Triathlon and the TriAmerica National Triathlon Series.
In total, 57 awards were given out, including Coach of the Year and Athlete of the Year awards, presented by the U.S. Air Force Special Warfare.
The night included a 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic recap, celebrating Team USA’s accomplishments at the Games. Two-time Olympic and World Champion Katie Zaferes, Tokyo silver medalist Kevin McDowell and Paris PTS4 Paralympic silver medalist Carson Clough were all in attendance, in addition to four-time Olympian Hunter Kemper who served as the Master of Ceremonies.
Nationwide participation in the silent auction and a paddle raise helped generate over $215k in support of USA Triathlon Foundation’s mission.
With 225 attendees and enthusiastic participation nationwide, the evening was a testament to the power of community and giving back.
View the full photo gallery on our website and celebrate with us as we continue our mission!
A huge thank you to the Gala sponsors from TicketSocket, US Air Force Special Warfare, Varlo, Synergy, TriDave Legacy Trust, Nirvana and Eventus, whose generosity and support made this incredible night possible.
