Bell Pay It Forward Givers

Marquette University Men’s Golf Team

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Recipients

Journey 21

MACC Fund

The Need 

Winning the Pay It Forward Collegiate Golf Tourney presented by Bell Bank gave the Marquette men’s golf team more than a championship trophy. It also gave the team $5,000 to help others who help their community.

Head coach Stephan Bailey let his golfers take the lead in deciding where the money should go. The team wanted to support local organizations that had meaningful connections to its program and the Milwaukee area.

“It’s so unique in our college golf world,” Bailey said. “I haven’t been a part of anything like it. I’ve been coaching for 21 years. It makes it even more special to hoist the trophy and then to be able to give back.”

The golfers chose Journey 21 and the MACC Fund, providing each organization with $2,500 in Pay It Forward funds.

The Impact 

Journey 21 creates educational, social, vocational and residential opportunities for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Its programs include the two-year Life Academy, an 18-21 transition academy and more than 80 core programs each quarter.

Marquette golf has developed a strong relationship with the organization and its students. Bailey said Journey 21 student Matt has spoken to the team and helped its members maintain perspective on golf and life.

“We always like to say that the score is never going to define who we are as people,” Bailey said. “We’re glad to be a part of Journey 21 and thankful for the opportunity we have to give back to them.”

Heidi Hamilton, Enrichment Center director at Journey 21, said the organization teaches its students the importance of helping others.

“To have Marquette golf pay it forward to Journey 21 is kind of like full circle,” Hamilton said. “It couldn’t make our hearts feel more full than they do right now.”

The team’s second $2,500 donation went to the MACC Fund, which supports research aimed at finding a cure for childhood cancer.

The organization has a personal connection to Marquette golf through Michael Bielawski, the MACC Fund’s director of development. Bielawski played golf at Marquette, graduated in 2008 and later served as an assistant coach from 2012 to 2016.

The MACC Fund raises much of its annual revenue through events, including the Trek 100 bike ride in Waterloo, Wisconsin. About 2,000 participants take part in the ride and raise money to support the organization’s mission.

Bielawski said Marquette’s motto, “Be the Difference,” made the team’s Pay It Forward opportunity especially fitting.

“Perhaps Marquette golf getting a chance to pay it forward and now helping some kids who are going through some absolutely terrible things, battling cancer, will make a difference,” Bielawski said.

For Bailey, the donations reinforced the character and team-first approach he hopes the Marquette golfers carry with them beyond college.

“To be able to give back is certainly gratifying,” Bailey said. “Having a Pay It Forward golf tournament is pretty cool. As these guys finish school and go into their careers, whatever they do, it’s always great to give back.”