New records set in 2017 Raise Your Game Challenge

The Seventh Annual Raise Your Game Athletics Fundraising Challenge once again set new records for Rider's Department of Athletics. The number of donors (444) and their contributions ($95,182) continued to rise. Compared to the initiative's inception in 2009-10, nearly four times as many supporters contributed almost three times as many dollars to the Broncs' athletic programs in 2016-17.

"I can't thank our alumni enough for stepping up this year to make it the most successful year ever for the Raise Your Game Challenge,” said Rider Athletic Director Don Harnum. “The results are indicative of the positive competitive experience that our coaches have been able to provide for our student-athletes. It is really rewarding to know that our alums are willing to give back so that we can continue to enhance the Rider Athletic experience for our current student-athletes."

The Rider men's soccer team finished first for the fourth-consecutive year, edging the field hockey team for the top spot in the standings. The wrestling and women's basketball teams finished tied for third. The track & field teams showed the greatest improvement in the challenge, while field hockey had the most participation from the class of 2017. 

All money donated goes directly into each team's budget. Additionally, the Raise Your Game Challenge utilizes a scoring system that promotes regular giving from donors and awards bonus points based on the amount of each donation. The first, second and third-place teams are each awarded additional prize money for their budgets.     

"I cannot tell you how proud I am of our alumni for helping us win four consecutive Raise Your Game challenges,” said Rider Men's Soccer Head Coach Charlie Inverso. “This year we had over 120 soccer alumni donate to Raise Your Game and what was really impressive was that the number of donors was evenly distributed throughout six decades of Rider Soccer players.”