Studies show that athletes are more likely to take on leadership roles, both during their college years and in their careers. A 2024 study found that college athletes consistently outperform their peers in leadership positions after graduation, thanks to the teamwork, accountability, and perseverance they develop in their sport (source).
Support Athletics
Support Athletics
At Queens, Student-Athletes Excel
When faced with a challenge, they don’t back down. Royals thrive in the classroom, on the court, in the field, or wherever their sport takes them. The experience is in the name—student-athletes—they’re scholars and teammates, leaders and playmakers. Their drive fuels their success, but it’s your support that makes them unstoppable.
3.44 Average student-athlete GPA
28 Athletic Teams
630+ Student-Athletes
Royals Serve
Our student-athletes are committed to the community surrounding our campus and the greater Charlotte area. Each team completes service hours throughout the year, whether it’s packing food boxes, mentoring Charlotte youth, promoting environmental sustainability, providing hurricane relief, or any number of ways to give back—Royals are dedicated to upholding the Queens motto: not to be served, but to serve.
Did you know?
Queens athletics is about more than just competition—it’s a transformative experience that shapes students for success in all aspects of their lives. Recent studies confirm what we’ve long believed: being a student-athlete equips individuals with leadership skills, discipline, and resilience that extend far beyond their sport.
The skills learned through sports translate directly into professional success. Over 90% of former college athletes report that their sports experience significantly helped them in their career pursuits, whether in the corporate world or as entrepreneurs (source).
Among female executives, a striking 94% participated in sports during their youth, with over half competing at the collegiate level. This correlation between athletics and leadership is particularly strong, with recent reports highlighting how sports prepare women for high-level leadership roles in business and beyond (source).
At Queens, our student-athletes are equipped to succeed not only in their sport but also in their careers. With 95% of our graduates employed or pursuing further studies within six months of graduation, it’s clear that the discipline and time-management skills honed as a Royals athlete provide a solid foundation for future success (source).
Invest in the Student-Athlete
Queens Athletics is already making a name for ourselves as we near the end of our transition to NCAA Division I play, yet we need the commitment from fans, family, alumni, and community members to secure a strong foundation.
Each year, teams travel to new locations, face rising nutrition costs, and work to meet the demands of their rigorous competition. Students don’t become winning athletes by simply putting on a jersey and showing up to practice, they have a team of professionals who support them physically, mentally, and academically; they require scholarships, resources, facilities, and intensive training.
Queens is facing a critical point in our history as we complete our transition to NCAA Division I—will you rise with us to meet the moment?
The Royals Club
The Royals Club is the most direct, hands-on way you can support student-athletes at Queens. Much like the Queens Fund which supports every student and faculty member, the Royals Club is the base of operations for athletics.
Funds from the Royals Club impact each student-athlete by:
- – Supplying scholarships
- – Providing academic support
- – Cultivating leadership
- – Purchasing training equipment
- – Maintaining and upgrading facilities
- – Meeting nutrition needs
- – Covering travel expenses
- – Bringing in state-of-the-art technology
- – Hiring elite coaches and trainers
- – Supporting mental health needs
- – Providing sports medicine expertise
- – Building on strength and conditioning
When you give to the Royals Club, you are directly enhancing the student-athlete experience by providing vital resources and support. Your generosity empowers our athletes to excel both in competition and in the classroom, fostering a legacy of pride and community that lasts well beyond graduation.
Invest in the Team
Queens has 28 teams, each with their own unique roster, training needs, travel schedule, and equipment requirements. Our teams rely on donor support, sponsorships, and fans to reach their highest level of play, to face the competition head-on, and thrive in their sport.
While the Royals Club affects each student-athlete, supporting an individual team allows you to focus your investment on the sport that is most meaningful to you. Whether you’re a parent to a current player, spent four years building memories and skills as a student yourself, or are a neighbor who is grateful for the community built around the love of the game, there is a place for your investment.
We encourage fans to pair their gift to an individual team with a gift to the Royals Club and work to build a strong foundation for all of Queens’ athletic programs. Just as our student-athletes rely on each other, our teams rely on each other to succeed.
Become a Champion
Queens is not one to sit still. We need champions who believe in the power of camaraderie, see the values our students hold, recognize the irreplaceable skills built on a team, and want to be the catalyst that propels our athletic program forward.
The newly minted Champions Society aims to recognize the significant leadership contributions that sustain our athletic programs. Members of the Champions Society have a profound impact on our student-athletes by providing a powerful experience that lasts a lifetime.
Each member of the Champions Society will commit to supporting Queens athletics over a minimum five-year period, with an annual gift starting at $10,000. Half of the contribution can be directed to the athletics area that matters most to you, such as basketball, mental health, or nutrition, while the remaining half is invested in addressing our program’s most pressing priorities.
To join this dedicated community of donors, please contact Derek Washburn (washburnd@queens.edu, 704-337-2511).
By enhancing infrastructure and providing essential resources, Champions Society members empower our student-athletes to thrive in their sport and studies.
Royals Rise
Field Hockey
Jarmilla Richter ’26
“Being a student-athlete has helped me grow as a person, as I have learned how to balance multiple responsibilities in my everyday life. I have also made lifelong connections with members of my team and staff who will lend support and guidance for the next steps in my life, preparing me for success after Queens.”
Men’s Soccer
Michel Feldmann ’26
“Queens offered the perfect balance between strong academics and competitive athletics. The opportunity to play soccer at the highest level while getting a high-quality education was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted a school where I could develop as an athlete and as a professional, and Queens offers exactly that.”
Women’s Rugby
Maggie Sweeney ’26
“Being a woman playing a male-dominated sport that is up and coming can be very difficult. When anyone offers us support, you are not only helping to fund us but are becoming a part of a movement to not only inspire women to be involved in sports but for women not to be put in a box and that they can do anything.”
Contact Us
Derek Washburn
Director, Royals Club
704-337-2511