St. Lawrence University's Here We Go Saints (HWGS) campaign closed 2026 with a new institutional record, drawing 3,107 donors and surpassing the previous mark set in 2018.

The six-year-old athletic donor drive raised $796,024 this year, with contributions coming from alumni, families, faculty and staff, students and friends of the university.

Barry Phelps and Pat Phelps, both members of the Class of 1969 and parents of a 1996 graduate, again issued a matching challenge that organizers credited with driving much of the campaign's energy. Several other donors offered additional matches and challenges throughout the drive.

St. Lawrence also finalized its "Scarlet & Brown Rewards," bonuses awarded across seven categories. The riding team, coached by Mary Drueding, topped 550 donors and won three of the categories. Women's basketball, under coach Chris Downs, became the first program in school history to finish in the top three in all four categories.

Softball, women's hockey, alpine skiing, Esports and women's lacrosse also earned bonus funds. Men's lacrosse, coached by Mike Mahoney, became the first program to surpass $100,000 in a single HWGS campaign, aided by challenge gifts from Taylor Gerhardt '14, Jordan Gray '95 and Trustee Emeritus David Officer and Joan Officer '67.

Bill Carter, a 1956 graduate, issued leadership challenges for men's hockey, women's hockey, alpine skiing and Nordic skiing, helping the four programs combine for $208,179 in donations.

Eleven programs met their Young Alumni Challenge goals, unlocking a $15,000 gift from Bob Rich '89  toward Saints Nation, an initiative focused on enhancing the in-game experience for student-athletes.

Athletics and communications staff worked alongside the advancement office to run this year's HWGS campaign. The university said it looks ahead to the 2026-27 athletic seasons with the record now in hand.