Athletics

#AllRise Challenge Inspires Record Support of Stevens Athletics

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The #AllRise Challenge is an annual fundraising campaign, traditionally held over a two-week period in the fall, to raise support for the athletic programs at Stevens. Although intercollegiate competition was suspended for the fall 2020 semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Stevens Athletics received a generous $106,010 in total donations. With the return of both fall sports and fans to campus in 2021, this year’s campaign surpassed that number, generating more than $118,000 in gifts and match challenges.

Here, coaches, staff members and student-athletes reflect on the lasting impact — financial, professional, personal — of this tradition that benefits Stevens’ approximately 500 student-athletes.

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“The #AllRise Challenge is always a fun way for us to engage with those in the Stevens field hockey family. We attribute much of our success this past season to our preseason trip to a ropes course, which we were able to fund through the generous gifts from past challenges. Seeing the support of our alums, families and friends is a great reminder that we play for something bigger than ourselves, and that our community is expansive beyond Hoboken. We are grateful for the most recent gifts as we gear up to plan our next international trip.”

— Meredith Spencer-Blaetz, Head Field Hockey Coach

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“The support of our alumni means everything to the Stevens Baseball team. Our program would not be where it is today without them all, and their continued efforts keep moving us in the right direction. It’s always a huge motivator for our team to see the alumni at our games, and we’re thankful for the relationships we’ve been able to build with them during our time here.”

— Alex Smith ’21 M.Eng. ’22, Baseball

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“We are incredibly thankful for all of the support from our alumni, parents, student-athletes, and friends of the program. Because of their support we can ensure that we can give our student-athletes the very best collegiate baseball experience possible at the Division III level.”

— Kristaps Aldins, Head Baseball Coach

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“The bond that the men’s volleyball team has with its alumni is both personal and professional. As soon as our first-years arrive on campus they are met by the whole team, who are willing and able to help with any issues or answer questions, whether it’s about volleyball or academics or even questions about jobs and internships. As the upperclassmen graduate and become young alumni themselves, that bond doesn’t fade; in fact, the relationships and networking opportunities become even greater. The bond that men’s volleyball creates is one that will last a long time, and this is why we value the time and energy put into these relationships.”

— Daniel Perun ’22, Men’s Volleyball

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“Our current players not only receive enhancements to their overall experience, but they also get to see the support from our generous and strong alumni network. It really makes our program special. The men’s lacrosse alumni have always stepped up to show the team how much they care and respect our program. We love the annual alumni game, career development program, spring Alumni Weekend tailgates and, of course, we appreciate the many donations and networking opportunities!”

— Gene Peluso, Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach

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“The relationships we have with our alumni are absolutely critical in the overall success of the athletic program. While we are fortunate to receive strong operating support at the institutional level for our teams, we depend on gifts from alumni, families and friends to supplement our budgets and ensure that our student-athletes have the best experience possible at Stevens.”

— Russ Rogers, Stevens Athletic Director

Program Award Winners

While a dedicated website for the #AllRise Challenge was the central point of communication, individual varsity programs also made their case for support via social media, direct mailings and personal outreach to donors. Match challenges were awarded in three categories: most undergraduate alumni donors, most dollars raised and most parent donors. The varsity programs were divided into two groups: teams with 150 or fewer living alumni (category 1) and teams with 151 or more living alumni (category 2). Additionally, the men’s lacrosse team received a bonus for having the most student donors.

Most Alumni Donors

  • Women’s Soccer (category 1)

  • Men’s Lacrosse (category 2)

Most Parent Donors

  • Men’s Volleyball (category 1)

  • Men’s and Women’s Swimming (category 2)

Highest Fundraising Total

  • Women’s Volleyball (category 1)

  • Baseball (category 2)

Bonus — Most Student Donors

  • Men’s Lacrosse