EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. - SIUE Athletics proudly recognizes Cheryl Michael, a generous and dedicated supporter of the Cougars Champions Fund (CCF). As an alumna and long-time fan, Cheryl's philanthropy has played a significant role in impacting all 270+ SIUE student athletes. 

A resident of Fairview Heights, IL, Cheryl is a Speech Language Pathologist at Memorial Hospital, and her family is full of SIUE pride with her husband and two children, all graduating from the university. Her longstanding support for athletics began as a basketball season ticket holder in 2021. Since then, she has maintained a firm commitment to the student-athlete experience, giving consistently to the CCF to build off the momentum of the department. 

Hear from the the Michael Family: 

Q: What motivated you to make your first gift to the Cougars Champions Fund?   

"Having been basketball season ticket holders for the past four seasons, our excitement for the program has been building and we felt like the Champions Fund was a worthy cause." 

Q: What makes SIUE athletics special to you?   

"A 1993 SIUE graduate, married to a 1992 SIUE graduate, with two children that have also graduated from SIUE (2021, 2024), our family has long been supportive of Cougar Athletics and love attending many different sporting events and supporting all of the teams!" 

Q: What excites you most about the future of the department? 

 "We have been lucky to have met many people on the Athletics Staff - their enthusiasm and commitment to the program and to SIUE is evident and obvious - we look forward to many future celebrations and rooting on the Cougars for years to come!" 

Q: Is there a message you would share with student-athletes benefiting from your support?   

"The feeling of community that is shown by the teams and the athletes is amazing.  The fans, and especially the children, that come out to see you play will remember you for a long time!  Shaking hands with the fans, taking pictures with the kids that hang around after games, those are special moments for them and hopefully for you as well!" 

Join Cheryl along with many others in shaping the future of SIUE Athletics by considering a gift to the Cougars Champions Fund today. Your gift—no matter the size—makes an immediate and long-lasting impact. 

For more information contact Noah Manns (nomanns@siue.edu).