Mike Ward Legacy Match Challenge

Honor a Knight. Double Your Impact. Build the Future.

For every generation of Bishop Luers students, there are alumni whose lives continue to inspire long after graduation. Mike Ward '87 was one of those people.

A proud Bishop Luers graduate, dedicated teammate, and loyal Knight, Mike embodied the values that have defined Bishop Luers for generations—faith, leadership, humility, perseverance, and service. Mike passed away on December 30, 2009, after a 27-month battle with brain cancer. Today, his legacy continues through the extraordinary generosity of his family and the countless lives he touched.

To honor Mike's memory and ensure future generations of Bishop Luers students have the same life-changing opportunities he experienced, we invite you to participate in the Mike Ward Legacy Match Challenge.

Your Gift Will Be Matched.

Thanks to the remarkable generosity of John Ward '73, Mike's brother and fellow Bishop Luers alumnus, every qualifying gift made through the Mike Ward Legacy Match Challenge will be matched dollar-for-dollar until $1.0 million has been raised.

That means:

• A $100 gift becomes $200
• A $500 gift becomes $1,000
• A $1,000 gift becomes $2,000

Together, we can transform one generous commitment into an investment that will benefit Bishop Luers students for generations to come.

Building the Future: Ignite the Spirit Capital Campaign

Your support of the Mike Ward Legacy Match Challenge directly advances Bishop Luers High School's Ignite the Spirit Capital Campaign, a bold initiative to strengthen our campus while preserving our mission of Catholic education.

The campaign will fund the construction of:

The New Auxiliary Gym - A much-needed second gymnasium that will:

• Eliminate scheduling conflicts for athletics and physical education
• Expand opportunities for youth camps and middle school programming
• Support increasing student enrollment
• Create additional space for community events and outreach

Integrated Performing Arts Stage - A professionally designed stage that will provide:

• Theater productions
• Band and choir performances
• School assemblies
• Guest speakers and educational programming
• Community performances and events

Luers Fieldhouse - The Fieldhouse will become a hub for student development by providing:

• Modern training space
• Team meeting rooms
• Enhanced athletic support facilities
• Improved event operations
• Flexible space for school and community programming

Together, these facilities will prepare Bishop Luers to serve current students while welcoming generations of future Knights.

Why Give in Mike's Honor?

For the Class of 1987 and all who knew Mike, this challenge is more than a fundraising campaign.

It is an opportunity to celebrate a classmate whose love for Bishop Luers never faded.

It is a chance to ensure that today's students experience the same friendships, faith formation, academic excellence, and school spirit that shaped Mike's life.

And because every gift is matched, your generosity has twice the impact.

Whether you were a teammate, classmate, friend, faculty member, or fellow Knight, your participation sends a powerful message:

Mike's legacy lives on through every student whose life is transformed by a Bishop Luers education.

Together, We Carry the Legacy Forward.