Record number of donors give to annual Raise Your Game Challenge

The 2021-22 Raise Your Game Challenge produced an all-time high 649 donors, raising $195,761, second-most in challenge history behind last year's $201,321. Nine of 13 programs exceeded their fundraising goals.

"The growth in support we are receiving continues to impress and inspire and I'm extremely grateful to our Athletics alumni," says Rider Director of Athletics Don Harnum. "It is important that our current student-athletes see and feel the support from those who came before them."

This year's challenge was divided into three divisions based on past giving history. In the Cranberry Division, the men's soccer team ran away with the title with 110 donors contributing. The Rider Division was won by the baseball team with 61 donors, while volleyball and softball shared the Broncs Division title with 17 donors apiece.

The tennis, field hockey, volleyball and women's basketball programs each enjoyed their best years ever in team alumni donors, while women's basketball, softball, men's and women's soccer and field hockey enjoyed their best years in team alumni funds raised. Field hockey had the highest percentage of alumni donors at 41%. The nine teams that exceeded their fundraising goals will receive an additional $1,000 toward their respective program booster accounts.

Rider Athletics just completed another extremely successful year of competition. Eighteen different teams competed at their conference championships. Men's swimming & diving won its unprecedented 10th-straight MAAC Championship, while men's golf won its first-ever conference team championship. Additionally, five individuals — three track & field student-athletes and two wrestlers — advanced to NCAA's in their respective sports. The Broncs had 27 conference gold-medal-winning performances and three individual conference championships. 

"The support from our alumni plays a vital role in both our current and future success," Harnum says.

The RYG Challenge, which began in 2010, saw 120 donors combine to contribute $34,934 during its inaugural year.  By year five (2014), 384 donors combined to contribute $92,366. After a then record-breaking 634 donors stepped forward to contribute a record-setting $201,321 last year, this year's challenge produced a new record of 649 donors for $195,761. Collectively, $1,437,058 has been raised through the Raise Your Game Challenge.