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Game On for Giving Supports SUNY Plattsburgh Athletics

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SUNY Plattsburgh invites students, faculty, staff and community to cheer on their favorite student-athletes in the nineth annual Game on for Giving campaign to benefit Cardinal athletics and recreational sports.

From now through April 9, Cardinal athletic and recreational sports teams are competing in multiple challenges for donor support and a piece of the $20,000 prize money, gifted by Karen McGrath, SUNY Plattsburgh vice president for enrollment and student success, and her siblings through the McGrath Family Challenge in honor of their late father, Joseph. This year marks the 20th anniversary since his passing.

“My dad suffered a heart attack at age 36 and two massive strokes at age 44 due to stress and hypertension, "McGrath said. "These events changed the course of all of our lives, as he was permanently disabled and lost his ability to speak. But with great care and changing his lifestyle, he lived just shy of his 75th birthday."

The McGrath Family Challenge aims to support Cardinals' well-being through varsity athletics, recreation and fitness, as well as providing students with tools to manage their overall health, achieve personal success, persist to graduation and develop a lifelong commitment to being active.

"My dad was very clear to us when we were young that our education was critical in having a better life," said brother Tim McGrath. "As first-generation college students, the four of us achieved our dad's dream by all obtaining college degrees, and he was also so proud that we earned graduate or law degrees. He gave us the personal support we needed with a gentle smile or hug."

Game on for Giving started as a way to encourage engagement and support for the university’s 18 Cardinal varsity teams and 13 recreational club teams and has grown to include the fitness center, athletic communications and the Cardinal athletics general fund. Donors may choose to support any number of recipients in their pledges.

The McGrath Family Challenges and Prizes include:

Division III Teams

  • Most alumni donors: $2,500
  • Second-most alumni donors: $1,000
  • Third-most alumni donors: $500
  • Most overall donors: $1,000

Club Sports Teams

  • Most overall donors: $500
  • Second-most overall donors: $300
  • Third-most overall donors: $200

Bonus Challenges

  • $5,000 to Cardinal athletics if the overall campaign raises $80,000
  • $3,000 to recreational sports if recreational sports teams raise $3,000
  • $2,000 to Cardinal athletics if overall campaign secures 1,200 donors
  • $1,000 to the first four teams (DIII or club) to secure 40 alumni donors each

"Donor support enhances and builds opportunities for our student-athletes by providing them with top-notch facilities and amenities to achieve peak performance," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Mike Howard. "We are so thankful to the McGrath family and the entire Cardinal community that motivates and fuels our teams and clubs with their participation in Game On For Giving 2025."

To donate to your favorite team, to find out where each team stands and more, visit www.plattsburgh.edu/gameon. Gifts can be made now through Tuesday, April 9.

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