Oct 30 | General
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Rutgers Athletics and the R Fund bestowed the 2026 Scarlet Legacy Award to David T. Bender and the Bender Trust during a reception on Thursday, Oct. 29. One of the department's highest honors, the award recognizes extraordinary and enduring commitment to Scarlet Knight student-athletes and programs.
The Scarlet Legacy Award recognizes individuals and families whose philanthropy have made a lasting difference across Rutgers Athletics. The Bender Trust represents a legacy of giving that has continued to create opportunities for student-athletes for more than four decades, carrying forward the vision of David T. Bender, a 1925 Rutgers graduate, All-America lacrosse player and football letter winner.
"As impressive as his accomplishments were on the field, David T. Bender's greatest contribution to Rutgers came through the opportunities he created for generations of student-athletes who followed," said Rutgers Director of Athletics Keli Zinn in her remarks during the reception. "A gift established more than four decades ago continues to support our student-athletes. That is the power of a lasting legacy."
Following Bender's passing in 1980, his estate established an endowment to provide scholarships for student-athletes competing in eight Olympic sports: women's gymnastics, field hockey and tennis, and men's golf, lacrosse, soccer, track and field and wrestling. Since 1981, the Bender Trust has awarded more than 270 scholarships totaling more than $1 million. By 2020, the endowment had grown to approximately $4 million, enabling one student-athlete from each of the eight supported sports to receive a scholarship annually.
The impact of Bender's generosity can be seen through the experiences of generations of Scarlet Knights. Among them was Gianna Glatz, a former Rutgers field hockey student-athlete who received a Bender Trust scholarship. Glatz helped lead the Scarlet Knights to the first Big Ten team championship in Rutgers Athletics history in 2022 and went on to represent the United States as a member of the USA Field Hockey U-21 Women's National Team. She is currently third-grade teacher at Littlebrook Elementary School in Princeton.
Bender's connection to Rutgers extended well beyond his experience as a student-athlete. An All-America lacrosse player and football letterwinner, he later coached at Rutgers and taught history at Rahway High School. His commitment to education, athletics and providing opportunities became the foundation for a philanthropic legacy that continues to benefit Scarlet Knights today.
The Bender Trust has also created a unique connection between Rutgers Athletics and Rutgers Business School. For decades, students participating in the Little Investment Bankers of Rutgers (LIBOR) have helped manage the endowment, gaining hands-on investment experience while contributing to the stewardship of a fund dedicated to supporting their fellow Scarlet Knights. More than 1,100 Rutgers alumni who participated in the student investment group have gone on to careers in finance and investment.
David T. Bender and the Bender Trust joins an exclusive group of Scarlet Legacy Award recipients whose commitment has helped shape the Rutgers student-athlete experience. Previous recipients include Ron and Pat Bainton, William and Barbara Bauer, John and Barbara Broggi, Greg and Anna Brown, Art and Terry Certosimo, Robert and Harriett Druskin, Ron and Joanna Garutti, Mark and Charon Hershhorn, Gene and Aprile Renna, and Gary and Barbara Rodkin.
The Scarlet Legacy Award is part of the R Fund's longstanding tradition of recognizing members of the Rutgers community whose extraordinary generosity strengthens student-athletes, programs and the future of Rutgers Athletics.
The Scarlet Legacy Award recognizes individuals and families whose philanthropy have made a lasting difference across Rutgers Athletics. The Bender Trust represents a legacy of giving that has continued to create opportunities for student-athletes for more than four decades, carrying forward the vision of David T. Bender, a 1925 Rutgers graduate, All-America lacrosse player and football letter winner.
"As impressive as his accomplishments were on the field, David T. Bender's greatest contribution to Rutgers came through the opportunities he created for generations of student-athletes who followed," said Rutgers Director of Athletics Keli Zinn in her remarks during the reception. "A gift established more than four decades ago continues to support our student-athletes. That is the power of a lasting legacy."
Following Bender's passing in 1980, his estate established an endowment to provide scholarships for student-athletes competing in eight Olympic sports: women's gymnastics, field hockey and tennis, and men's golf, lacrosse, soccer, track and field and wrestling. Since 1981, the Bender Trust has awarded more than 270 scholarships totaling more than $1 million. By 2020, the endowment had grown to approximately $4 million, enabling one student-athlete from each of the eight supported sports to receive a scholarship annually.
The impact of Bender's generosity can be seen through the experiences of generations of Scarlet Knights. Among them was Gianna Glatz, a former Rutgers field hockey student-athlete who received a Bender Trust scholarship. Glatz helped lead the Scarlet Knights to the first Big Ten team championship in Rutgers Athletics history in 2022 and went on to represent the United States as a member of the USA Field Hockey U-21 Women's National Team. She is currently third-grade teacher at Littlebrook Elementary School in Princeton.
Bender's connection to Rutgers extended well beyond his experience as a student-athlete. An All-America lacrosse player and football letterwinner, he later coached at Rutgers and taught history at Rahway High School. His commitment to education, athletics and providing opportunities became the foundation for a philanthropic legacy that continues to benefit Scarlet Knights today.
The Bender Trust has also created a unique connection between Rutgers Athletics and Rutgers Business School. For decades, students participating in the Little Investment Bankers of Rutgers (LIBOR) have helped manage the endowment, gaining hands-on investment experience while contributing to the stewardship of a fund dedicated to supporting their fellow Scarlet Knights. More than 1,100 Rutgers alumni who participated in the student investment group have gone on to careers in finance and investment.
David T. Bender and the Bender Trust joins an exclusive group of Scarlet Legacy Award recipients whose commitment has helped shape the Rutgers student-athlete experience. Previous recipients include Ron and Pat Bainton, William and Barbara Bauer, John and Barbara Broggi, Greg and Anna Brown, Art and Terry Certosimo, Robert and Harriett Druskin, Ron and Joanna Garutti, Mark and Charon Hershhorn, Gene and Aprile Renna, and Gary and Barbara Rodkin.
The Scarlet Legacy Award is part of the R Fund's longstanding tradition of recognizing members of the Rutgers community whose extraordinary generosity strengthens student-athletes, programs and the future of Rutgers Athletics.
Saturday, October 31
Thursday, October 29
Thursday, October 29
Thursday, October 29
