WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — The University of Hartford Department of Athletics helped jumpstart the 2019-20 academic year at the 44th Annual Roger Poe Golf Classic this past week. With a field of 220 golfers playing on two courses at the beautiful Blackledge Country Club, the Hawks matched last year's record-setting fundraising total in support of Hartford's Athletics Impact Fund.

"Our donors' continued and evolving support of the Roger Poe Golf Classic has been incredible," said Ed Owens, director of the Hawk Nation Club. "The Athletics Impact Fund is the driving force behind enhancing the student-athlete experience here at Hartford and everyone who participates in the Poe — from donors, to alumni to community partners —has a hand in helping shape the future of Hartford Athletics."

The field featured a number of former Hartford student-athletes who came back to support the Hawks, while many of Hartford's current student-athletes donated their time to volunteer for the event. Members of the baseball, men's basketball, cross country/track and field, softball, and spirit teams were on hand throughout the day.

For photos from the 44th Annual Roger Poe Golf Classic click here.

The Poe is the longest-running annual event in Hartford Athletics' history. A 1967 graduate of the University of Hartford, Roger Poe earned a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences and served as captain of the men's golf team. The son of the University's first provost, Poe returned to the University in the admissions and financial aid departments after graduation and remained active with the Hawks.

The annual tournament, which originated as a fundraiser solely for the men's golf program, has continued to grow since expanding to a department-wide event in 2016. Presented by JCJ Architecture, this year's event matched the department's previous fundraising record of $84,000, set in 2018. Proceeds from the Poe benefit the Athletics Impact Fund, which provides vital services — including medical services, tutors and increased scholarship opportunities — to the Hawks' 361 student-athletes competing across 17 Division I sports.

Next year's Roger Poe Golf Classic will be held on Monday, Sept. 14. For more information on the Poe or to become a Poe sponsor for 2020, please contact Hawk Nation Club Director Ed Owens at eowens@hartford.edu, or at 860-768-4620. For more information on the Hawk Nation Club, or to make a gift to Hartford Athletics, please visit www.hartfordhawks.com/hnc.