MEMPHIS, Tenn. March 6, 2009 – As the collegiate world heads into “March Madness,” Ducks Unlimited announces its Sweet 16 college chapters throughout the U.S. These 16 college chapters were the top fundraisers among more than 70 college chapters.

To qualify for the “DU Sweet 16,” chapters needed to raise more than $11,000 in grassroots income during the 2008 calendar year. Collegiate chapters throughout the country have raised more than $559,000 this year, with $301,000 coming from the Sweet 16 chapters.

“Collegiate chapters have become a vital part of DU,” said Jim West, group manager of fundraising for Ducks Unlimited. “These 16 college chapters are leading the way in the support of wetland and associated habitat conservation in North America and I thank them for their efforts.”

This year’s number one seed, Aggieland Chapter, took its fifth straight “DU Sweet 16” title.

1. Aggie Land Chapter, College Station, Texas

2. North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.

3. East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C.

4. University of North Carolina at Wilmington

5. Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Ga.

6. North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D.

7. Ole Miss, Oxford, Miss.

8. Auburn, Auburn, Ala.

9. U of A, Fayetteville, Ark.

10. Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.

11. Texas A&M University Kingsville, Texas

12. University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.

13. Louisiana Tech Dawgs, Ruston, La.

14. University of Louisiana, Lafayette, La.

15. Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky.

16. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa