LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider athletics saw another record-breaking year in the 11^th annual Raise Your Game (RYG) Athletics Fundraising Challenge in 2021.  Former student-athletes contributed over $201,000, breaking the previous record set in 2019. The challenge was paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
"I continue to be impressed, inspired, and extremely grateful for the continuous growth in support we are receiving from our athletic alumni," said 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. Rider athletics just completed another extremely successful year of competition with three teams winning conference championships and advancing to the NCAA Tournament, nine individuals advancing to NCAA competition, and two more athletes adding to our growing list of All-Americans. The support from our alumni plays a vital role in both our current and future success."
 
For the first time, the 2021 challenge saw teams divided into three separate divisions based on past giving history. The wrestling team won the Cranberry Division, the women's basketball and field hockey teams finished tied atop the standings in the Rider Division, and the golf team came away victorious in the Broncs Division.
 
Overall, nine of the 13 teams met or surpassed their participation goal this year, the most in any single challenge. The nine teams that reached that milestone will receive an additional $1,000 toward their respective program's booster clubs.
 
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. For the record-breaking 2021, a new high of 634 donors came together to contribute $201,321. Collectively, $1,241,297 has been raised through the Raise Your Game Challenge.