Scarlet Knights Open Season With Continued Focus On Community Service
Sep 01 | General
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers Welcome Back BBQ has served as the annual kickoff to the academic calendar for Scarlet Knights student-athletes for the past few years. It's a chance for teammates and friends to come together after a summer away and reconnect before the full swing of another competitive season.
This year's event was highlighted by a community service project to support the New Brunswick community and those facing food insecurity. Over 750 student-athletes and members of the spirit program, coaches and athletic administrators packed more than 6,800 snack packs which will be donated to Elijah's Promise.
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has played a pivotal role in this event and several other community service initiatives organized by the Scarlet Knights.
"One of the most important parts of SAAC is building that bridge between Rutgers Athletics and the community," said Ava Chiarella of the women's lacrosse program. "We have such an incredible community surrounding Rutgers. It's so cool my last year being on SAAC e-board and seeing an event being put together like this where we double the snack packs and even cooler getting that award on the day where we complete this event was incredible."
The event was a fitting start to the year for Rutgers Athletics, winners of the 2026 NACDA Community Service Award, presented by the Fiesta Bowl. In its 10th year, the award was designed to recognize institutions that make volunteerism and community service a way of life. The Fiesta Bowl traveled to New Jersey to present the award to Rutgers Athletics, which continues to distinguish itself as an industry leader in volunteerism and service among college athletic departments.
"This is my favorite time of year when we get to see our returning student-athletes back on campus and welcome our newest Scarlet Knights to the Rutgers family," said Carey Loch, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development and Success. "It was especially great to share this day with the members of the Fiesta Sports Foundation who jumped right in and engaged with our campus and community members. Having them here to present this incredible award to the student-athletes and participate in our service project was truly special."
This is one of several service initiatives Rutgers student-athletes participate in year-round on an annual basis through their involvement with the Scarlet Knights For Life program. The Scarlet Knights have supported a wide range of organizations, including volunteerism with kids with special needs through Saturdays In Motion and Special Olympics and assisting food-insecure communities through Elijah's Promise, Replenish, Rutgers Food Pantry and America's Grow-a-Row.
"We have so many different events that we put together with SAAC and the Rutgers student-athletes, like Saturday's In Motion where we work with kids with autism, Read Across America, and the holiday toy drive for our local pre-K children," Chiarella added. "And we work so closely with Elijah's Promise all year long. Rutgers Athletics really cares about the incredible community that surrounds our school."
Gallery: (8-31-2026) 2026 Welcome Back BBQ
This year's event was highlighted by a community service project to support the New Brunswick community and those facing food insecurity. Over 750 student-athletes and members of the spirit program, coaches and athletic administrators packed more than 6,800 snack packs which will be donated to Elijah's Promise.
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has played a pivotal role in this event and several other community service initiatives organized by the Scarlet Knights.
"One of the most important parts of SAAC is building that bridge between Rutgers Athletics and the community," said Ava Chiarella of the women's lacrosse program. "We have such an incredible community surrounding Rutgers. It's so cool my last year being on SAAC e-board and seeing an event being put together like this where we double the snack packs and even cooler getting that award on the day where we complete this event was incredible."
The event was a fitting start to the year for Rutgers Athletics, winners of the 2026 NACDA Community Service Award, presented by the Fiesta Bowl. In its 10th year, the award was designed to recognize institutions that make volunteerism and community service a way of life. The Fiesta Bowl traveled to New Jersey to present the award to Rutgers Athletics, which continues to distinguish itself as an industry leader in volunteerism and service among college athletic departments.
"This is my favorite time of year when we get to see our returning student-athletes back on campus and welcome our newest Scarlet Knights to the Rutgers family," said Carey Loch, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development and Success. "It was especially great to share this day with the members of the Fiesta Sports Foundation who jumped right in and engaged with our campus and community members. Having them here to present this incredible award to the student-athletes and participate in our service project was truly special."
This is one of several service initiatives Rutgers student-athletes participate in year-round on an annual basis through their involvement with the Scarlet Knights For Life program. The Scarlet Knights have supported a wide range of organizations, including volunteerism with kids with special needs through Saturdays In Motion and Special Olympics and assisting food-insecure communities through Elijah's Promise, Replenish, Rutgers Food Pantry and America's Grow-a-Row.
"We have so many different events that we put together with SAAC and the Rutgers student-athletes, like Saturday's In Motion where we work with kids with autism, Read Across America, and the holiday toy drive for our local pre-K children," Chiarella added. "And we work so closely with Elijah's Promise all year long. Rutgers Athletics really cares about the incredible community that surrounds our school."
Monday, August 31
Monday, August 31
Thursday, August 27
Tuesday, August 25
