Field Hockey wins Raise Your Game Challenge

As everyone knows, the weather has been abnormally warm across the Northeast this spring.  Even hotter than the weather, was the competition in the second annual Rider Department of Athletics "Raise Your Game Athletics Fundraising Challenge".

For the second consecutive year, the challenge came down to the wire. An increase in this year's total prize money added fuel to the fire, and led to an increase in total gifts.    
Since the beginning of the 2011-12 academic year, each Rider team tried to generate the most support among its former athletes, based on gifts of at least $25. 

Rider's Field Hockey team ended up earning the most participation points by the end of March, and won the $6,000 first place prize. 

"We are very grateful and very appreciative to all of our alumni who stepped up to help us achieve our goal," Rider Field Hockey head coach Lori Hussong said.  "Because of their generosity, we will be able to give our team the best chance to be successful. The overwhelming response from our Field Hockey alumni family shows that they still have great PRIDE in being a Rider Bronc."

Last year, the Wrestling team won the Inaugural Raise Your Game Challenge.  This year, the Field Hockey team held off both the Wrestling team and the Swimming/Diving team to finish at the top of the standings.  For its second place finish, the Wrestling team was awarded a $4,000 second place prize, and for its third place finish, the Swimming/Diving team was awarded a $2,000 third place prize.  The Men's Soccer team had the largest improvement in former athlete participation, and was awarded a $1,000 Most Improved team prize.

The prize money will be utilized for equipment, uniforms, travel, etc.  These well-deserving teams will be recognized at the June 2012 Rider Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

"I want to congratulate the Field Hockey program and the other winning teams in the second-annual Raise Your Game Challenge," Rider of Director of Athletics Don Harnum said. "Many of our teams have benefited from this challenge since its implementation. We appreciate the continued commitment of our Rider athletic alumni, and recognize how important they are to the future success of our teams and the Athletic Department."

While this year's challenge may have concluded, you can expect even stronger results next year.  To make a gift any time to one of Rider's Athletic teams, please go to: https://alumni.rider.edu/giveathletics. If you have any questions or need further information about the Raise Your Game Challenge, please contact Steve Rudenstein, associate director of major gifts for athletics at 609-896-5291 or srudenstein@rider.edu.

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