Game On For Giving 2026

10 YEARS STRONG — GOING FOR THE GOLD

Our 10th-annual Game On For Giving returns in February 2026 with a Winter Olympics-inspired celebration of Cardinal pride, competition and generosity.

For one week, Cardinal Athletics and Recreational Sports teams will face off in friendly competition for donor support that calls on alumni, parents, fans, staff and friends to determine the winners through their generosity. Every gift helps fuel the student-athlete experience — on the field, in the gym and beyond.

ONE GAME. TWO COMPETITIONS.

Game On For Giving features two exciting competitions running simultaneously:

• NCAA Division III Athletics
• Recreational Club Sports

Teams will compete for donor participation and overall support, with cash prizes awarded to top-performing teams to enhance the student-athlete experience.

Once again, we are grateful to the McGrath Family for supporting Game On For Giving with a series of cash-prize challenges designed to inspire participation.

These challenges support student-athlete well-being through varsity athletics, recreation and fitness, while helping students build healthy habits that contribute to persistence, success and lifelong wellness.

2026 McGRATH FAMILY CHALLENGES & PRIZES

Division III Teams

• Most Alumni Donors: $2,500
• Second-most Alumni Donors: $1,000
• Third-most Alumni Donors: $500
• Most Overall Donors: $1,000

Recreational Sports Teams

• Most Overall Donors: $500
• Second-most Overall Donors: $300
• Third-most Overall Donors: $200

Bonus Challenges

• $5,000 to the Cardinal Athletics general fund if the overall campaign raises $100,000.
• $3,000 to Recreational Sports general fund if recreational sports teams raise $3,000.
• $2,000 to Cardinal Athletics general fund if the overall campaign secures 1,500 donors.
• $1,000 to the first FOUR teams (DIII or Recreational Sports) to secure 50 alumni donors each.

Karen and her siblings are investing in Cardinal Athletics & Recreation as part of Game On 2026 to honor their father as they approach the 21st anniversary of his passing in 2005.

The family shared, “Our dad suffered a heart attack at age 36 and two massive strokes at age 44 due to stress and hypertension. These events changed the course of all of our lives, as he was permanently disabled and lost his ability to speak. We all learned so many lessons from these experiences, with a key take-away being the importance of keeping active, whether in organized sports, recreational activities, or simply taking a walk or working in the garden.”

All alumni, parents, student-athletes, faculty, staff and friends can get in the game with a gift to their favorite Cardinal team(s) during this year’s competition, which will run from Friday, February 6 through Saturday, February 14 at 11:59 p.m. Gifts of $10 or more count toward team participation goals, and 100% of funds benefit student-athletes.

For 10 years, Game On For Giving has been powered by the passion and generosity of Cardinal Country. Your support continues to strengthen teams, build community and create opportunities for student-athletes to thrive.

Let’s celebrate a decade of impact — and go for the gold together.

Game On. Go Cards!