Notre Dame Women’s Club Boxing, Baraka Bouts, is an electric environment composed of strong, driven women with an unmatched passion for service. This season, our club consisted of over 100 members, with more than 40 women competing in the tournament. Together, we raised nearly $75,000 through fundraising efforts—an amount that will be matched by a longstanding partner foundation—ultimately sending $150,000 to our Holy Cross Mission partner schools in Uganda: Holy Cross Lake View Senior Secondary School and St. Joseph’s Hill Senior Secondary School.
The supportive atmosphere cultivated through learning and excelling in the sport of boxing, the grit and skill displayed in the ring, and the collective determination to support a greater cause exemplify what it means to push oneself to the limit for something bigger. This mission-driven mindset reflects precisely what we, as Notre Dame students, strive to embody.
Baraka Bouts is led by nine captains who support the many facets of a 100-member club. Each captain has a designated role, ranging from developing practice plans and emphasizing wellness to organizing social media and outreach. Two captain positions focus specifically on fundraising and missions, ensuring that service remains at the core of our work.
Kylie Carney was the fundraising captain. Fundraising initiatives emphasized both group events and individual efforts. Every football Friday, Women’s Club Boxing ventured out from the Pit—where we typically practice—and spread across campus, carrying flags and donation buckets to engage both Notre Dame and visiting fans. Through conversations with passersby and promises to match donations with burpees, our Friday “Fun Runs” consistently raised approximately $1,000 per event. Additional group efforts included restaurant giveback nights with Chipotle and Noodles & Company, as well as merchandise sales outside the bookstore.
Individual members were also required to fundraise, with each boxer given a personal goal of $500, higher than previous years due to the smaller total number of girls. However, many still exceeded this goal due to the generosity of family, friends, campus organizations, and members of the South Bend community. Donations came in the form of both monetary contributions and purchased advertisement space in our tournament program.
This season, I served as the Missions Captain. My role centered on educating the club about the importance of fundraising, where our money is directed, and the tangible impact it has on the communities we serve. I worked closely with Holy Cross Mission Center (HCMC) representatives such as Maria Kangapadan. Every Monday, I led a “Mission Monday” TED-style talk, sharing insights into the daily lives of students at Holy Cross Lake View and St. Joseph’s Hill or welcoming guest speakers such as HCMC Director Rev. Tom Eckert, C.S.C., and HCMC Assistant Director, Michael Jezewak.
One particularly meaningful Monday occurred when Fr. Tom joined us shortly after returning from Uganda. He shared photos and videos of the new girls’ dormitory that our funds helped support, along with heartfelt messages from students thanking us for our efforts. These moments were among the most memorable and motivating of the season, reinforcing the importance of encouraging donations and deepening our connection to the mission.
A few members of our club, including our president, Layann Wardeh, have had the opportunity to travel to Uganda and witness the impact of our work firsthand. We hope to expand these opportunities in the future so more members can experience the mission personally and strengthen our connection with the schools. I, too, hope to make the trip in the coming year.
The season culminates in our three-night tournament. Each member is required to sell ten tickets at $20 apiece, with all proceeds going directly to our mission—though many choose to sell far more. The Dahnke Ballroom is filled with energy, excitement, and anticipation. While every boxer enters the ring hoping to win, only one champion emerges from each bracket. Regardless of the outcome, every bout ends with grace, sportsmanship, and a hug.
At its core, Baraka Bouts is not about winning bouts; it is about using boxing as a platform to support education in Uganda. Whether stepping into or out of the ring, every member understands and embraces this purpose.
Since my first year in the club, Baraka Bouts quickly became my favorite part of Notre Dame. Few experiences better demonstrate the University’s mission of being a force for good. Serving as Missions Captain not only deepened my own understanding of who we support and why, but also ignited a lasting passion for the work we do. I know I speak for the entire club when I say we proudly and passionately support the Holy Cross Mission Center and look forward to many more years of continued partnership and impact.
Provided by Rosie Binette, Baraka Bouts Captain, January 2026
