The 2020-21 season has been unlike any other for PSU Athletics. Our student-athletes have navigated the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic while staying committed to their sport via Zoom team meetings, bodyweight workouts in their dorms, and taking classes through distance learning from their hometowns all over the globe.
Through a shared desire to make a difference despite the difficult circumstances, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) formed the "Beyond the Blocks" initiative. Each month of the shutdown our athletes focused their efforts on helping a cause that was important to our community. Food insecurity, social justice and cancer research were just a few of the causes that our students rallied to support.
In the final month of the academic year, we are asking our community to once again come together to support an important cause...the student-athletes themselves. The incredible young men and women, who rise up despite any challenge, and represent our university with pride, integrity and grit. Join us for our virtual spring fundraising campaign in late May. And mark your calendars for the evening of Friday, June 4th, as we culminate the year with a live streamed program celebrating Wine & Roses 2021: Beyond the Blocks.
For now, let's take a look back at a year Beyond the Blocks.
September: Muscular Dystrophy Awareness benefiting CureDuchenne
In 2019, Portland State Athletics Fiscal Officer
Kati Falger and husband Joe experienced a family's worst nightmare: a toddler with no symptoms, but had been diagnosed with a disease for which there is no known cure. Kati and Joe felt tremendous support from the Viking Family, but after the shock of it all, we took action.
Throughout September, PSU student-athletes sent letters to our friends with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, developing some special relationships along the way. On World Duchenne Awareness Day, the Vikings Family also came together to complete physical challenges around the number 79 — representing the number of exons impacted by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Falger Family Video
Pen Pals Video
79 Challenge Video
October: Voter Registration
As leaders of the next generation and active participants in their communities, PSU student-athletes used their collective voice to influence change at the local, regional, and national levels. By election day, over half of our PSU teams had 100-percent of student-athletes registered.
Nationwide, 52%-55% of voting-eligible young people, ages 18-29, cast a ballot in the 2020 presidential election — a 10% increase from 2016.
Voter Registration Video
November/December: Food Insecurity benefiting PSU Food Pantry
Portland State Athletics' Viks vs. Hunger campaign, with a generous matching donation from
OnPoint Community Credit Union, provided over 200,000 meals through the
PSU Food Pantry this winter. Beginning in late November, the Viks vs. Hunger program raised funds and awareness for the PSU Food Pantry and the growing issue of food insecurity among college students.
Over four weeks, the Viks vs. Hunger campaign raised $10,153 from 158 individual donors. OnPoint delivered a $10,000 matching donation, totaling $20,153. Every dollar raised represents 10 meals provided by the PSU Food Pantry, leading to a total of 201,530 meals on campus and in the community.
Food Insecurity Video
January/February: Breast Cancer Awareness benefiting American Cancer Society
The PSU Men's and Women's Basketball teams took the pledge to beat breast cancer in February — National Cancer Prevention month! The PSU community rallied behind student-athletes to pledge for every three-pointer made by Portland State Men's and Women's Basketball during the first two weeks of February.
Funds raised went directly to the American Cancer Society to help educate the community on prevention and early detection. Awareness initiatives included encouraging fans to schedule their cancer and breast screens on time. The 2021 Coaches vs Cancer Three-Point Challenge united college and high school basketball teams from across the country for a common cause – ending cancer.
March/April: Blood Cancer Community Resources benefiting PressOn6
The PressOn6 Foundation began in response to a need for community, education, and understanding for blood cancer families and loved ones. PressOn6 takes our inspiration from former PSU QB Chris Crawford, who was diagnosed with blood cancer, Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). He took the opportunity to live his life fully. For him, it was simply a choice about how he wanted to be in the world, and the shockwave of his positivity served as a light to all who met him. PressOn6 exists to carry his legacy, lending strength, courage and support to those navigating through and beyond blood cancer. Life is beautiful. Press On.
Throughout March and April, the Vikings family has come together to support this foundation near and dear to our hearts. The strong alumni network of the VIkings Football family has rallied behind one of their own, producing an awareness and fundraising campaign to jumpstart the reach and impact that PressOn6 makes in our community.
Introduction Video
Glory Days Video
QB Club Video
Legacy Video
