Varsity R Creatively Engages Letterwinners During Virtual Setting
Jun 02 | Scarlet Knights for Life™
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - During the past year, collegiate athletics has been challenged in numerous ways. Under less than ideal circumstances, the Varsity R Letterwinners Association has done a terrific job of adjusting to the new situation and helping keep Rutgers' student athletes and letterwinners connected, continuing to further its mission.
Over the past year, the organization pivoted into the virtual world and used new methods to connect with Rutgers letterwinners. During one of the most successful athletic campaigns for the Scarlet Knights on the playing fields in recent memory, letterwinners were able to stay connected through a variety of different formats.
Starting in March of 2020 as the world went virtual, Rutgers launched R Scarlet Knight Network. Rutgers Athletics' first ever mentor program, this online mentor platform enables online networking between student-athletes and professionals. The platform has hosted online career fairs and events, such as the debut program entitled 'Passion and Purpose: Finding Fulfillment in Your Future Career.' The platform currently has over 270 professionals enrolled, of which 230 are letterwinners. The platform makes it incredibly simple for student-athletes to connect with professionals in a variety of career fields to discuss everything from resume writing and mock interviewing to internships and jobs to graduate school applications. For any others interested in joining, please email letterwinners@scarletknights.com.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, Rutgers Athletics hosted a number of virtual events to continue this connection with alumni. This started with the Friday Knight Fever series, featuring Scarlet Knight letterwinners who are professional athletes. The series was intended to connect student-athletes with professional athletes who were going through the same challenges and understanding how the professionals were coping with their new world. Letter winners were also called into action for the the annual Knight of Networking career prep event. This year's event was held virtually and provide alumni who normally can't be in Piscataway in person to join the conversation and provide advice and insights to our student-athletes. RU also hosted virtual happy hours with coaches in women's basketball, gymnastics, swimming and diving, volleyball, and women's lacrosse.
In July, Rutgers launched an updated and COVID-friendly letterwinners benefits program. This package of perks helped engage new members for the organization by providing tangible items such as a polo or t-shirt to spread the Rutgers love globally.
In the fall, Rutgers launched the Athlete Network. Rutgers athletics first ever online alumni engagement platform, this provides exclusive content from Rutgers teams directly to letterwinners. If you are interested in receiving this information and connecting with other letterwinners, please visit the website and click "Join the Network Now."
As the country begins to enter normalcy and the summer approaches, the Varsity R Letterwinners Association is beginning to plan sport specific alumni events for the fall season. While the organization has adeptly adjusted to virtual engagement in these trying times, all are looking forward to the opportunity to reconnect with Rutgers letterwinners in person in a healthy and safe manner to celebrate the success of Rutgers athletics and connect over a shared love for the University.
Over the past year, the organization pivoted into the virtual world and used new methods to connect with Rutgers letterwinners. During one of the most successful athletic campaigns for the Scarlet Knights on the playing fields in recent memory, letterwinners were able to stay connected through a variety of different formats.
Starting in March of 2020 as the world went virtual, Rutgers launched R Scarlet Knight Network. Rutgers Athletics' first ever mentor program, this online mentor platform enables online networking between student-athletes and professionals. The platform has hosted online career fairs and events, such as the debut program entitled 'Passion and Purpose: Finding Fulfillment in Your Future Career.' The platform currently has over 270 professionals enrolled, of which 230 are letterwinners. The platform makes it incredibly simple for student-athletes to connect with professionals in a variety of career fields to discuss everything from resume writing and mock interviewing to internships and jobs to graduate school applications. For any others interested in joining, please email letterwinners@scarletknights.com.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, Rutgers Athletics hosted a number of virtual events to continue this connection with alumni. This started with the Friday Knight Fever series, featuring Scarlet Knight letterwinners who are professional athletes. The series was intended to connect student-athletes with professional athletes who were going through the same challenges and understanding how the professionals were coping with their new world. Letter winners were also called into action for the the annual Knight of Networking career prep event. This year's event was held virtually and provide alumni who normally can't be in Piscataway in person to join the conversation and provide advice and insights to our student-athletes. RU also hosted virtual happy hours with coaches in women's basketball, gymnastics, swimming and diving, volleyball, and women's lacrosse.
In July, Rutgers launched an updated and COVID-friendly letterwinners benefits program. This package of perks helped engage new members for the organization by providing tangible items such as a polo or t-shirt to spread the Rutgers love globally.
In the fall, Rutgers launched the Athlete Network. Rutgers athletics first ever online alumni engagement platform, this provides exclusive content from Rutgers teams directly to letterwinners. If you are interested in receiving this information and connecting with other letterwinners, please visit the website and click "Join the Network Now."
As the country begins to enter normalcy and the summer approaches, the Varsity R Letterwinners Association is beginning to plan sport specific alumni events for the fall season. While the organization has adeptly adjusted to virtual engagement in these trying times, all are looking forward to the opportunity to reconnect with Rutgers letterwinners in person in a healthy and safe manner to celebrate the success of Rutgers athletics and connect over a shared love for the University.
R Fund, Knights of the Raritan are YouKnighted | Million Dollar Match
Friday, February 28
Dine and Shine with Baseball and Women's Lacrosse
Thursday, April 13
Rutgers Athletics | Title IX Winter Celebration
Tuesday, February 21
Rutgers Athletics | Because of You
Monday, January 09
