The club has a new leader in former UND football defensive coordinator Mike Mannausau, who took over as Assistant Athletics Director/Champions Club Executive Director two weeks ago. "I have seen firsthand how the work of the Champions Club positively impacts our athletics programs," Mannausau said. "I look forward to seeing how we will continue to create the future for UND's student-athletes by providing critical scholarship support."

Nearly 66 percent of UND's student-athletes earned a spot on the Athletics Director's Honor Roll for the 2012 fall semester, achieving at least a 3.0 semester or cumulative grade point average. A school-record 301 student-athletes made the Honor Roll and 62 of those student-athletes achieved a perfect 4.0 - 22 more than last year.

"The support of the Champions Club not only builds champions in the classroom - though that's extremely important," said Brian Faison, UND Director of Athletics. "We're also creating champions in the community - our student-athletes logged nearly 7,000 community service hours last year - and champions in competition."

All gifts to UND Athletics through the Champions Club benefit North Dakota Spirit | The Campaign for UND, recently hit its goal of raising $300 million for the benefit of UND's passionate students, innovative programs, inspirational educators and extraordinary places. Learn more about North Dakota Spirit at spirit.und.edu.

Follow the Champions Club on Twitter @NDChampions and Facebook (North Dakota Champions Club).

The UND Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, raises and manages funds that secure a strong future for UND and its students, faculty and alumni. As of June 30, 2012, its total assets are over $246 million.