Alumni Step Up to Double the Match: SIU Rugby’s With You Challenge Gains Momentum

Alumni Step Up to Double the Match for the With You Challenge!

The With You Challenge just got a major boost!

Following Monday night’s Town Hall, an excited SIU Rugby alumnus, inspired by the energy and mission we shared, has stepped forward with an incredible offer to “match the match, to get the match.”

That phrase might sound like a tongue twister — but here’s the play-by-play:

We currently have a $10,000 match opportunity on the table. If we raise $10,000 by November 1, a generous alumni donor will match that amount for a total of $20,000 toward the SIU Rugby coaching fund.

As of today, we’re just $5,500 short of hitting that goal.

Now, a second alumni donor has entered the match — pledging to match $2,750 (half of that remaining amount) if we all step up to raise the other half.

That means every donation right now is working triple time toward the final goal!

How You Can Help Us Finish Strong

We’ve done the math — it doesn’t take much to get across the try line:

• 100 people × $27.50

• 50 people × $55

• 25 people × $110

• 10 people × $275

Whatever amount you choose, it helps us unlock this powerful matching opportunity and strengthen the future of SIU Rugby.

Donor Incentives Still in Play

Thanks to our generous alumni contributor, the following donor incentives remain active:

🏆 $500 Donors → automatically entered to win one of (2) $500 prizes

🏅 $250 Donors → automatically entered to win one of (2) $250 prizes

Every level of giving counts — but these two tiers come with a little extra excitement!

Play the Full 80

We’ve all been there — the 79th minute, one try away from victory. You and your teammates dug deep, worked together, and left it all on the field.

Now, it’s our turn to do that off the field.

This campaign is about more than a dollar amount — it’s about building our legacy. The funds raised will go directly toward creating a dedicated coaching position to grow and strengthen both the men’s and women’s programs at SIU.

It’s something we all wish we’d had — and something the next generation deserves.

Together, we can make it happen.

👉 Donate to the With You Challenge

Let’s finish strong. With You. For SIU Rugby.