Rutgers Athletics is bringing the Scarlet Knights community together for a cause that extends well beyond the basketball court.
The university announced the launch of its Rutgers Tough fundraising campaign, an initiative designed to support RWJBarnabas Health’s cancer treatment and patient-care efforts. The campaign was inspired by men’s basketball head coach Steve Pikiell and his wife, Kate, following Pikiell’s cancer diagnosis in September.
The initiative will allow Rutgers fans to support cancer
treatment and patient care through limited-edition merchandise and additional donations to cancer research.
The campaign’s central component is a limited-edition Rutgers Tough T-shirt, which will be available for $30 at the first three men’s basketball home games of the season. Those games include the November 6 matchup against New Haven, November 10 against NJIT, and November 13 against Bryant.
All proceeds from the t-shirt sales will benefit RWJBarnabas Health. Fans can also contribute directly to cancer research through a fund supporting the Rutgers Cancer Institute.
The campaign comes after Pikiell publicly announced his diagnosis on September 9. Following surgery, the longtime Rutgers head coach expressed gratitude for the medical teams supporting him and his family as he continues treatment.
Pikiell has also spoken about how his experience has changed his perspective on the people around him, particularly Rutgers fans who are dealing with cancer themselves.
During an appearance on his podcast in October, Pikiell discussed receiving messages from season-ticket holders going through similar experiences. He reflected on how attending games and following their teams can provide people with something positive to look forward to during difficult periods in their lives.
He also emphasized the importance of helping patients who may not have access to the healthcare and medication they need.
“Rutgers has an unbelievable cancer institute, and RWJBarnabas, so many good things, I said we got to raise money, we got to help any way that we can, my wife and I have donated personally, you know, a large sum of money that I hope goes towards research, and I hope it goes towards helping people, and now I want to raise money for people that don’t have healthcare, and need cancer medicine, and need those things, and Rutgers has jumped on board and campaigned as Rutgers toughness, because I always said, you got to have a little more toughness at Rutgers,” Pikiell statedon his podcast.
Both Pikiell and his wife have personally contributed to cancer research and now hope to use Rutgers’ platform to encourage others to get involved.
The campaign has also received support from several former Scarlet Knights basketball players. Ron Harper Jr., Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Geo Baker, Caleb McConnell, Paul Mulcahy, Clifford Omoruyi, Cam Spencer and Jacob Young all appeared in a video supporting the Rutgers Tough initiative, while they also highlight their contributions to some of the biggest moments in Rutgers basketball history.
The Rutgers Cancer Institute is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in New Jersey, making the campaign’s connection to the university especially significant.
For Rutgers, the initiative represents an opportunity to bring together current athletes, former players and fans around something much bigger than competition.
Pikiell has spent nearly a decade leading the men’s basketball program and building connections throughout the Rutgers community. Now, as he continues his own fight, the Rutgers Tough campaign allows that community to support others facing similar challenges.
The message behind the initiative is straightforward: Rutgers is stronger when its community comes together, and the impact of that support can reach far beyond the basketball court.
To donate to the groundbreaking research and clinical trial programs led by the Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health, please visit this link: https://raise.rutgersfoundation.org/RutgersTough.
