Nanook Nation,
Thank you for supporting the Alaska Nanooks throughout the 2025-26 season, and thank you to everyone who rallied for athletics as we concluded our fourth annual Alaska Nanooks Gold Rush presented by Usibelli Coal Mine, along with our annual University of Alaska Giving Day.
Athletics received over $220,000 in support of our teams, department, and 100 Years of Alaska Hockey scoreboard campaign. This support garnered 263 donors from Giving Day and additional support from all 176 attendees at Gold Rush.
For Gold Rush this year, we were joined by an incredible group of supporters, including our corporate tables: Usibelli Coal Mine, GHEMM Company, Tommy G's Meat and Sausage, Brice Equipment, the PWR+ Collective, Henry Cole, Black Gold Transport, Estes & Sons, and Northern Star Resources Pogo Mine. Fans and team members came together to celebrate the season, enjoying party games and bidding on the silent auction table, which featured exclusive Nanooks gear, sponsored items, and one-of-a-kind experiences.
Assistant hockey coach Sean Walsh ushered everyone from their competitive play to start the outcry auction. Bidding wars broke out, with two ending in a unique twist, as multiple bidders each requested to purchase the experience at the final high bid. Our memorable outcry auction experiences included two Tommy G experiences, two Nanooks Rifle E.F. Horton Rifle Range Day experiences, the Seattle Seahawks experience, the Alaska Airlines Club 49 package, the 2027 Gold Rush VIP Table, the Portland Trail Blazers Club Seat experience, and so much more!
Gold Rush concluded in our final five reverse raffle ticket holders joining us on stage to decide if they would 'split or not split' the grand prize of $5,000. Of the five finalists, one was not present. This finalist went for the risky 'no split' vote, and we honored that all the way through with a stand-in. Against the odds, his ticket won out, and he became our first-ever grand prize winner of $5,000! The winner and his wife are proud season ticket holders to Nanooks hockey, and upon receiving the good news, they decided to split the cash prize and donate half to the scoreboard campaign.
Earlier in the evening, head coach Erik Largen and I led a text-to-give campaign in support of a new Alaska Nanooks hockey scoreboard. We also unveiled a mock-up for the Alaska Nanooks hockey donor recognition wall, which will be displayed at the Carlson Center once our goal is met.
Gold Rush's text-to-give carried us into Giving Day, where we looked for additional support from 100 donors for 100 years to unlock a $50,000 pledge from the UAF Hockey Alumni Association. 100 donors is our largest Giving Day challenge we've had for a single fund in athletics, and we not only reached 100 donors, but surpassed it with 102 donors in less than 49 hours of giving.
All of this support, in addition to early campaign gifts, means we officially secured the first $100,000 of our $900,000 campaign goal. This is a tremendous feat to cap off 100 years of Alaska hockey. We look forward to finishing the scoreboard campaign out strong so we can elevate Alaska hockey's standing in the ever-changing DI landscape.
Thank you to everyone who supported your Alaska Nanooks and the scoreboard campaign during Giving Day. Special thanks to our challenge donors whose pledges inspire giving to our teams, including the UAF Hockey Alumni Association, Thomas and Lis Lane, Craig McConnell, President Pat Pitney, Cold Spot for Healthy Pets, Bucko's Coffee, Spirit of Alaska FCU, Audrey's Womenswear, Frank's Menswear, Mike and Judy Kelliher, Ben Roth, Elevate AK Volleyball Club, Fairbanks Volleyball Association, and Running Club North.
Finally, thank you, Usibelli Coal Mine, for making the fourth annual Gold Rush possible. Each year, it gets better, and we are grateful that this event gives us a chance to celebrate the season in-person.
The 2025-26 season was remarkable and filled with incredible milestones, including Dexter Delaney earning the GNAC Freshman of the Year honor, All-GNAC honors, All-Region honors, and qualifying for the NCAA DII Cross Country Championships. Nanooks volleyball posted their best season in program history, earning their first-ever GNAC Championship and NCAA DII Volleyball Championships berth. Men's basketball made it to the semifinals of the GNAC Championships, advancing to the postseason for the second-straight year.
Dorka Dancsok was dominant in an inspiring swim season as the junior won an individual title at the PCSC Championships and earned the nod in four separate events at the 2026 NCAA DII Swim Championships. There, she earned All-American status in the 400 IM. The Nanooks hockey team finished their year strong, winning their 15th straight Alaska Airlines Governor's Cup, their first-ever Adirondack Winter Invitational, and winning the inaugural United Collegiate Hockey Cup. Rifle returned to a familiar place, earning a bid to their 39th NCAA Rifle Championships, finishing with two All-Americans. And incredibly, Rosie Fordham swept the competition at the 2026 NCAA Skiing Championships, becoming the first Nanooks skier to sweep both races since 2004.
We are honored to have so many incredible supporters, coaches, alumni, and donors who make up Nanook Nation. With you, anything is possible. Thank you for an unforgettable season.
Go Nooks!
Director of Athletics
Brock Anundson
