‘Here We Go Saints Challenge 2021’ Raises Over $370,000 for Athletics
The "Here We Go Saints" donor campaign collected donations from over 1,450 Laurentians around the world, raising over $370,000 for St. Lawrence's varsity teams.
St. Lawrence University successfully hosted the inaugural “Here We Go Saints” donor campaign on October 6 and 7 that directly benefited Saints Athletics and student-athletes. More than 1,450 Laurentians around the world collectively raised over $370,000 for the University’s 35 varsity teams.
“I’m so thankful to the donors who invested in our student-athletes and coaches as part of ‘Here We Go Saints 2021,’” says Bob Durocher M’94, P’13, senior associate vice president for Athletics. “These funds will be used by our coaches to ensure our student-athletes have the type of experience that every Laurentian can be excited about.”
Leading the way throughout “Here We Go Saints 2021” was the Saints rowing program, anchored by a passionate alumni base, finishing with both the most donors and dollars, respectively. A total of 258 donors contributed to rowing, totaling $49,408. Rounding out the Top 5 in donors were football, women’s hockey, cross country, and track and field.
“We know how much pride and affinity Laurentians have for the Saints, so we felt a donor campaign like this one could be successful,” says Joe Keniston ’05, executive director of Laurentian Engagement and Annual Giving. “Coaches played a major role in the shaping and success of the campaign, which was sparked by Barry and Pat Phelps’ involvement and generosity.”
Throughout “Here We Go Saints 2021,” Barry ’69 and Pat Hitchcock Phelps ’69, P’96 hosted The Phelps Challenge, giving $5,000 each time 100 donors gave to the campaign. While the Phelpses had offered a total of $50,000 if 1,000 donors gave, they were so moved by the outpouring of support for the Saints that they upped the offer beyond the goal, and ended with $70,000 for St. Lawrence Athletics.
“We are supporting ‘Here We Go Saints’ because we believe in the values and lessons learned as a student-athlete at St. Lawrence,” says Barry Phelps, trustee emeritus, during the campaign. “It’s the education of the ‘whole person’ and the experiences that position our student-athletes for success in their careers.”
Gifts of all sizes came from alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and fans in 42 different states and Canada. Alumni accounted for 49 percent of gifts, with Laurentian class years ranging from 1956 to 2025.
