Purple Knight Challenge 2021

Dear Purple Knights,

Wow!!! That’s all I can say right now! I am blown away by all the support shown for our student-athletes through this year’s Purple Knight Challenge. Together, you raised $184,000 for our programs. What an amazing display of generosity! Collectively, you have made an incredible statement this week.

I’m so touched by your support. I have witnessed so many impactful examples lately of what the Purple Knight student-athlete experience means to and can do for those who have this wonderful opportunity. From first-year students joining their teams for the very first time to Golden Knights in their 70s and 80s – it’s meaningful, transformative, and lasts a lifetime. It has never been more challenging to provide that experience than these times we live in, which makes your support all the more valuable. We simply could not do this without you.

I’m writing to you with Alumni and Family Weekend barely in our rearview mirror. It was a fantastic weekend, highlighted by the long-awaited Commencement celebration for the Class of 2020 (with student-athletes lining the sidewalk to cheer them on as they processed to the campus green for their ceremony) and the Athletic Hall of Fame induction for our Class of 2021. These two events provided a beautiful juxtaposition – the excitement, hopes, and dreams of careers and adventures to come for our young grads; mixed with the pride, gratitude, and love in the reflections of our Hall of Fame honorees and their teammates and friends. All taking root and fostered right here in Winooski Park.

There are signs of optimism all around our beautiful campus this fall. The spirit of Saint Michael’s and the vibrancy and warmth of our community are on full display. Our teams are in training, practice, or competition daily, and the energy they bring to our community is infectious. Walking around campus, especially last weekend when we had alumni games also going on, is a surreal experience when you stop and think about what life was like last year.

Do you want to know the best part? Our 2021-22 athletic seasons have just begun, and the world of the Purple Knights is full of promise! Please keep in touch with us – follow us on our website and social media, catch our games on NE10 Now via the NSN Sports Network, or come see us live, either here or at an opponent’s campus near you. Our website is the best place to start for information pertaining to the Purple Knights: www.smcathletics.com.

On behalf of our coaches and staff, and especially our 469 student-athletes, thank you so very much for being such an important part of our team. This comeback would not be possible without MVPs like you!

All the best,

Chris Kenny ’86 P’18
Director of Athletics

We are in the final stretch of this year’s Purple Knight Challenge and we are certainly feeling the love and support from our alumni, families, and friends!  So far, we have received more than 1,000 gifts totaling a remarkable $143,000 for our teams and student-athletes.

There are just 11 hours left in the Purple Knight Challenge. If you haven’t yet, please make a gift to support our teams and athletes. Gifts of every size make a difference.

As an added bonus, we have a number of outstanding matches and challenges on the page that will make your gift go even further. You can check them out in the “Feature” section above.  

Thank you for all of your support, and for helping us finish strong!

Dear Purple Knight Alumni, Families, and Friends,

Thanks to all of you, we just hit the 700 donor mark and are closing in on $90,000 for our student-athletes and programs. 

We hope you’ll continue to share the campaign with fellow alumni, families, and friends and help us reach our goal of 1,000 donors by Monday.

And don’t forget today is Purple Knight Friday! Show your St. Mike’s spirit by wearing purple and share on social media with #PKPRIDE.

Go Purple Knights!

Dear Purple Knight Alumni, Families, and Friends,

Thank you so much for supporting our student-athletes and programs. Together you have raised more than $36,000 for our 21 varsity teams.

Let’s keep the momentum going! Please share the campaign with fellow alumni, family, and friends and encourage them to join you in making a gift.

Can you help us reach the 1,000 donor mark before next Tuesday?

Thank you!