Game on for Giving

Story byPress-Republican, Plattsburgh, N. Y. Gerianne Downs, The Press-Republican, Plattsburgh, N. Y. Thu, February 5, 2026 at 11:37 PM UTC·3 min readPLATTSBURGH — SUNY Plattsburgh’s annual fundraising competition for Cardinal athletics, Game on for Giving, celebrates 10 years of giving in support of the university’s 18 NCAA Division III athletic teams and 10 recreational club teams beginning today and running through Feb. 14. The Plattsburgh College Foundation and Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation are embracing a Winter Olympics theme this year as it invites alumni, families, fans, faculty, staff and friends to go for the gold in support of Cardinal student-athletes. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs they did last year, Karen McGrath, vice president for enrollment and student success, and her family are torch bearers, leading the way by providing an Olympic-sized $20,000 McGrath Family Challenge gift, said Paula Bachman, director of annual giving in the Office of Institutional Advancement.“Their commitment reflects the family’s long-standing support of SUNY Plattsburgh’s student-athletes and the positive impact that athletics and recreational sports have on student success and overall well-being,” she said. UNITED CARDINAL COMMUNITYOver the past decade, Game on for Giving has united the Cardinal community around friendly competition, collective pride and shared impact, she said. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“In honor of the campaign’s 10th anniversary, Game on 2026 will spotlight a decade of generosity while introducing renewed energy through team milestones, celebratory recognitions and donor-inspired pop-up challenges,” Bachman said. During the campaign, Division III varsity teams and recreational sports clubs will compete for donor participation and cash prizes with challenges designed to renew broad engagement, alumni support and overall team momentum. Challenges and prizes for this year’s Game on for Giving include:DIVISION III TEAMS— Most alumni donors: $2,500— Second-most alumni donors: $1,000AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement— Third-most alumni donors: $500— Most overall donors: $1,000RECREATIONAL SPORTS TEAMS— Most overall donors: $500— Second-most overall donors: $300— Third-most overall donors: $200BONUS CHALLENGES— A $5,000 boost to Cardinal athletics when the campaign hits $100,000— $3,000 awarded to recreational sports if teams raise $3,000 collectively— $2,000 to Cardinal athletics upon reaching 1,500 donors— $1,000 to each of the first four teams (Division III or recreational sports) to secure 50 alumni donors“Game on for Giving has become one of the most exciting and meaningful traditions in Cardinal athletics,” said Mike Howard, director of intercollegiate athletics and recreation. “This 10th anniversary is a celebration of the alumni, families and fans who continue to invest in our student-athletes and help create opportunities for success on and off the field.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSUPPORT ANY TEAM OR CLUBBachman said donors may support any of SUNY Plattsburgh’s teams or clubs as well as designate gifts to the Fitness Center, athletics communications or the Plattsburgh College Foundation Cardinal athletics general fund, which benefits all varsity programs.