Lead Sponsor
CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION SALUTE TO “THE GAME”
LUNCHEON EVENT ROARS TO NEW FUNDRAISING RECORD
$675,000 Net from the Event Rockets Past Last Year’s Record $650,000
LOUISVILLE, KY (September 25, 2025) – The Catholic Education Foundation of Louisville (the “Foundation”) announced record results from its 18th annual Salute to THE GAME luncheon held earlier today at The Galt House Hotel in downtown Louisville. This unique event celebrates the nationally recognized rivalry and thrill of the annual Saint Xavier – Trinity high school football game to be played at the L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium on Friday, September 26 at 8:00 p.m.
This year’s Salute luncheon filled the Grand Ballroom and raised a record net of $675,000, roaring past last year’s previous mark of $650,000. Since its inception in 2008, the Salute luncheon has raised $6.2 million. All of the net proceeds from this event will benefit the Foundation in its work to support Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Louisville and make Catholic schools accessible by everyone.
Foundation President Richard A. Lechleiter remarked, “This hallmark community event continues to lift our mission to incredible new heights like no one ever thought possible! And we couldn’t do any of this without the support of all our friends in the Saint Xavier and Trinity communities who have allowed the Foundation to benefit from this storied rivalry.”
The Foundation recently announced that for the 11th consecutive year, every student applicant with a demonstrated financial need earned a tuition assistance award. Together with their funding partners, the Catholic Education Foundation provided tuition assistance to an amazing 3,700 elementary students with an astounding record $8.6 million in funding for the current school year. Mr. Lechleiter exclaimed, “Thanks be to God and all our donors, at the Catholic Education Foundation, “The Answer is YES!”
Louisville-based LPX Group served as the Lead Sponsor of the event with an investment of $40,000. Mr. Lechleiter remarked, “To Joe Dougherty, Hunter Strickler and all our friends at LPX, THANK YOU for your exemplary leadership in making this event the largest of its kind across the Commonwealth! You are true heroes to so many families in this community,”
Major benefactors of this year’s Salute luncheon, each of whom donated $25,000 to the event, were: Abell Law Group; David and Cathy Durik; the Dale and Donna Gettelfinger Family; David Graeser; Sarah and John Lechleiter; Charlie and Dolores Leis; Keith and Jeanie Mouser; the Ott Family Foundation; the Ramsey Family; Karen and Hank Robinson; Deacon Mark and Kim Rougeux; the Shannon Family; Len and Susan Spalding; Brad and Charlotte Stengel; the Dan Ulmer Family; and the Richard Lechleiter Family.
Foundation Board Chair Joseph L. Landenwich noted, “Our donors are so resolute in their passion for Catholic education and they continue to stand tall like never before to ensure that this organization can deliver on its promise to all our Catholic school families in need. Indeed, “The Answer is YES!”
About the Catholic Education Foundation:
For over 200 years, Catholic schools have contributed significantly to the social, spiritual and economic fabric of our entire community. The Catholic Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the growth and vitality of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Since 1999, the Foundation has awarded over $68 million in support of Catholic education. Visit the Foundation at www.ceflou.org.