Scarlet Knights For Life Program Expands Resources with Increased Donor Support
Jul 17 | Scarlet Knights for Life™, R Fund
Paul Hubert was deeply entrenched in the Rutgers sports world in the 1970s as a sportscaster and later the sports director for WRSU, the university's student-run radio station. His love of Rutgers and especially Rutgers Athletics would compel him to support the university as he built a successful career at Citi. Those annual gifts and season tickets would later turn into more significant support when Paul was seeking meaningful ways to honor the memory of his late wife, Karen.
Karen Siplak-Hubert was a 1984 Rutgers College graduate who worked as a teacher, impacting the lives of many in her chosen profession.
"Karen was a great person who loved helping people and believed she could make a difference," Hubert shared. "She loved teaching and building individuals up, especially the youth."
After retiring from teaching, Karen would volunteer at a local hospital, believing that a healthcare setting was a special place where one could add value. Hubert recalls that they would be on vacation, and she would insist on getting home so she could return to her volunteer role because people were counting on her to be there when they arrived for treatment.
"She greeted and interacted with them in a way that softened the hard edges," said Hubert.
After Karen's passing, Hubert's first gifts were to that local hospital and eventually to Rutgers Athletics, including the naming of the Fireplace Lounge in the Gary and Barbara Rodkin Academic Success Center that opened in 2020. However, Hubert wanted to do more and sought a way to help shape the future and mold young people in athletics. Shawn Tucker, vice president for athletic development and deputy athletic director, connected immediately with Hubert and, with a background in student-athlete development from his prior role at Rutgers, provided the perfect segway to the Scarlet Knights For Life program.
"It was Carey Loch's (senior associate AD for student-athlete development and success and head of the Scarlet Knights For Life program) enthusiasm that struck me," said Hubert. "She took me through the plan to grow the program and the strategy behind it. It's so important that we are not only developing people that will be successful professionally, but also great members of our society. The student-athletes need to understand what it takes to do this, and they need to be shepherded through the process. They need to see the importance of giving back and I hope it becomes central to their person and their purpose."
Last summer a group of interested alumni and friends of the university were invited to a special gathering to learn more about the program and meet the members of the Scarlet Knights For Life team. According to Hubert, "the event was a great chance to come together in agreement that this is important, knowing many of us can give money, give time, invite in others, and serve as ambassadors on behalf of the program. I am happy to have played a role in forming a community of like minds that want to do this together."
Hubert's lead gift, along with those from more than a dozen other Rutgers faithful, has allowed the Scarlet Knights For Life program to expand services and increase staff, including the recent addition of Kait Weiss. With a strong background in higher education communications and marketing, Weiss is highly equipped to build on the success of this program which has a strong foundation but has needed to adapt to meet the needs of a new generation, post-COVID.
Her most recent role in the Office of Career Exploration and Success at Rutgers allowed her to develop expertise in the professional development space that will ensure a successful expansion of resources and opportunities for Rutgers student-athletes, including a new mentoring program and several off-campus industry-based site visits and internship locations.
"Karen spent her time giving back, going above and beyond for others. I see that same spirit and approach in this team," said Hubert. "I'm proud that Brandon (son) and I can honor her legacy in such a meaningful and important way."
Are you interested in supporting the Scarlet Knights For Life program? Please contact Ben Rodriguez, senior associate athletic director for athletic development at b.rodriguez@scarletknights.com for more information.
Karen Siplak-Hubert was a 1984 Rutgers College graduate who worked as a teacher, impacting the lives of many in her chosen profession.
"Karen was a great person who loved helping people and believed she could make a difference," Hubert shared. "She loved teaching and building individuals up, especially the youth."
After retiring from teaching, Karen would volunteer at a local hospital, believing that a healthcare setting was a special place where one could add value. Hubert recalls that they would be on vacation, and she would insist on getting home so she could return to her volunteer role because people were counting on her to be there when they arrived for treatment.
"She greeted and interacted with them in a way that softened the hard edges," said Hubert.
After Karen's passing, Hubert's first gifts were to that local hospital and eventually to Rutgers Athletics, including the naming of the Fireplace Lounge in the Gary and Barbara Rodkin Academic Success Center that opened in 2020. However, Hubert wanted to do more and sought a way to help shape the future and mold young people in athletics. Shawn Tucker, vice president for athletic development and deputy athletic director, connected immediately with Hubert and, with a background in student-athlete development from his prior role at Rutgers, provided the perfect segway to the Scarlet Knights For Life program.
"It was Carey Loch's (senior associate AD for student-athlete development and success and head of the Scarlet Knights For Life program) enthusiasm that struck me," said Hubert. "She took me through the plan to grow the program and the strategy behind it. It's so important that we are not only developing people that will be successful professionally, but also great members of our society. The student-athletes need to understand what it takes to do this, and they need to be shepherded through the process. They need to see the importance of giving back and I hope it becomes central to their person and their purpose."
Last summer a group of interested alumni and friends of the university were invited to a special gathering to learn more about the program and meet the members of the Scarlet Knights For Life team. According to Hubert, "the event was a great chance to come together in agreement that this is important, knowing many of us can give money, give time, invite in others, and serve as ambassadors on behalf of the program. I am happy to have played a role in forming a community of like minds that want to do this together."
Hubert's lead gift, along with those from more than a dozen other Rutgers faithful, has allowed the Scarlet Knights For Life program to expand services and increase staff, including the recent addition of Kait Weiss. With a strong background in higher education communications and marketing, Weiss is highly equipped to build on the success of this program which has a strong foundation but has needed to adapt to meet the needs of a new generation, post-COVID.
Her most recent role in the Office of Career Exploration and Success at Rutgers allowed her to develop expertise in the professional development space that will ensure a successful expansion of resources and opportunities for Rutgers student-athletes, including a new mentoring program and several off-campus industry-based site visits and internship locations.
"Karen spent her time giving back, going above and beyond for others. I see that same spirit and approach in this team," said Hubert. "I'm proud that Brandon (son) and I can honor her legacy in such a meaningful and important way."
Are you interested in supporting the Scarlet Knights For Life program? Please contact Ben Rodriguez, senior associate athletic director for athletic development at b.rodriguez@scarletknights.com for more information.
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
