Photo by: (Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics)
Harriett & Bob Druskin Receive 1869 Legacy Award at 50-Yard Line Celebration
Aug 28 | General, Development
Druskins honored for a lifetime impact on the lives of Rutgers student-athletes
"What's important to us, is the kind of program," said Bob Druskin when accepting the award. "What kind of student-athletes do they produce? What are the messages these young people take with them when they leave the university? We believe, having spent a lot of time with Pat (Hobbs) and Sarah (Baumgartner) and Ryan (Pisarri) and some of the other (administrators) that these are the right kind of people. What we do, whether we give monetarily or whether we give of time and effort, we view as an investment in people and programs that we really believe in. We are deeply honored to receive this award."
The Druskins have selflessly given back to the State University of New Jersey. Among the athletics initiatives they have supported are the Big Ten Build, stadium expansion, Rutgers Athletic Center revitalization and the Athletic Director's Excellence Fund. The new strength and conditioning center at the RAC bears their name.
The family has also established the Harriett and Robert Druskin Endowed Scholarship, which aids hard-working students who face financial challenges, and received the Rutgers University Medal for Philanthropic Excellence.
"Bob and Harriett exemplify the 1869 Legacy Award," said Director of Athletics Pat Hobbs when presenting the award. "They give back to Rutgers, and often do it very quietly. Sometimes the meaningful things that they give are seen, like our strength and conditioning center at the RAC, but there are other things they do quietly. We are very, very fortunate to have Bob and Harriett Druskin as part of our Rutgers Athletics family."
A 1969 graduate of Rutgers College, Bob Druskin's game-changing support of Rutgers Athletics has been made possible through a successful career in the finance industry. He currently serves as Executive Chairman of the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation and President of the Druskin Family Foundation, Inc., following his retirement as Chief Operation Officer at Citigroup, Inc.
Harriett is a Rutgers University Board of Overseers member who also serves on the New Jersey Audubon Board of Directors. The New Jersey native is committed to poverty alleviation, education, the environment and child and animal welfare.
Rising seniors Kieran Mullins of men's lacrosse and Ana Cortes of women's golf delivered comments of appreciation and gratitude to the group. Both are team captains and two-time Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholars.
Among the evening's speakers was head coach Chris Ash, who previewed a season that kicks-off Friday at "The Birthplace of College Football" against UMass at 7:15 p.m. in the 150th anniversary of the sport.
Chris Carlin, the radio voice of Rutgers football and WFAN Sports Radio host, served as the evening's emcee.
Past winners of the 1869 Legacy Award are William and Barbara Bauer (2014), Ronald and Patricia Bainton (2015), Ron and Joanna Garutti (2016), Art and Terry Certosimo (2017), and Greg and Anna Brown (2018).
The 50-Yard Line Celebration is presented by R Fund, Rutgers Athletics' annual giving program and development department. The goal of R Fund is to provide student-athletes with the support they need to reach their full potential; as students, as athletes, and as individuals. The financial contributions of donors help R Fund advance the mission of Rutgers Athletics and give student-athletes the resources they need to compete. Follow @R_Fund on Twitter, visit their website, and read more about R Fund in their ScarletKnights.com feature story.
For all Rutgers development news, visit rfund.scarletknights.com and follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@R_Fund), and Facebook (www.facebook.com/SupportRFund).
Women’s Basketball Post Game Press Conference - Penn State
Sunday, February 22
Men's Basketball Post Game Press Conference - Maryland
Sunday, February 15
Steve Pikiell Podcast; Knights of Honor, NBA All-Star weekend & Maryland Game
Friday, February 13
Head Coach Greg Schiano Press Conference - 2/12/26
Thursday, February 12
