Recreation, Access, Inclusion, Swim Education (R.A.I.S.E)
RAISE Inspiration Challenge — Honoring Ronald “Sickie” Marcikic
As Masters Sports Director and Masters Swimming Head Coach, Ronald “Sickie” Marcikic has built a program that has excelled and sustained for 40 years, bringing the campus and San Diego community together. Recognizing the outstanding contributions of Sickie, an anonymous donor has committed $1 million as a challenge to the community, aiming to inspire support of an additional $1 million to name the east pool at Canyonview Aquatic Center after Sickie.
The donation and inspiration challenge will increase access and reduce financial barriers to Recreation opportunities for all Tritons through the Recreation, Access, Inclusion, Swim Education (R.A.I.S.E) Fund.
We invite you to join us today in our efforts to honor Sickie and his 40 years of dedication. Your gift to the RAISE fund will:
- Be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $1 million by the anonymous donor
- Bring us one kick closer to reaching our goal of raising an additional $1M to name the pool after Sickie*
- Support aquatics-related facility renovations and equipment upgrades that will provide vital operational enhancements in support of the respective programs and initiatives focused on wellness, equity, diversity and inclusion.
Challenges
- $1,000 - Sickie with his clothes on falls into pool rescued by a lifeguard
- $5,000 - Sickie wears matching socks for a week
- $10,000 - Sickie performs a TikTok Dance
- $25,000 - Sickie wears a Suit and Tie for a week
- $50,000 - Sickie Hair Dye
- $75,000 - Sickie eats a sardine pancake
- $100,000 - Sickie takes an Ice Bath
For questions, additional information, or other ways to give, please contact Tiffany Ayres at tayres@ucsd.edu or (858) 287-0966.
“If you ask why Coach Sickie should be honored, I have to say it is because of the community he has built. We are an ever-growing family who all share a passion for the sport of swimming – and it doesn’t matter whether you swim in one of the faster lanes or the ‘not faster lanes,’ Sickie brought us together and keeps us together. He is always there. Always happy. Never late.”
— Dennis Roth, Masters Swimming participant