PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Rutgers Field Hockey student-athletes are used to seeing a familiar face in the stands — both at the Bauer Complex and on the road. Sometimes, that same superfan is also the one making sure they have the resources to succeed in the classroom, on the field and well beyond graduation.
For more than a decade,
George Tsacnaris RC'82 has been a constant presence for Rutgers women's athletics, offering time, mentorship and significant philanthropic support. Now, his impact has reached a new milestone — a $100,000 gift to the Rutgers Field Hockey Program, the largest single contribution in program history. With this latest commitment, Tsacnaris' lifetime giving to Rutgers Athletics has surpassed $1 million.
While much of his giving has centered on women's programs, Tsacnaris also supports Rutgers Athletics broadly – both philanthropically and as a dedicated season-ticket holder across multiple sports.
"George's most recent $100,000 gift to field hockey has put him over the million-dollar mark when it comes to lifetime giving to Rutgers Athletics," said head coach Meredith Civico. "This is the most generous gift that Rutgers field hockey has ever received, and we're just so excited to put these funds to use. We have a lot of projects in the works to support our student-athletes, and George has put us in a position to compete at the very highest level."
The Scarlet Knight Connection
Tsacnaris' journey to becoming one of Rutgers' most devoted supporters began unexpectedly, through what is now known as Scarlet Knights For Life
TM, where he hired Rutgers student-athletes as interns. Among them were field hockey standouts
Katie Champion and
Devon (Freshnock) Palmer.
Through their internships, George developed personal connections with the athletes, eventually attending his first field hockey match. On Palmer's Senior Day in 2016, he surprised Civico by announcing he would establish a field hockey scholarship in her honor — a commitment that helped shape the program's foundation. Palmer herself accepted a full-time position with Tsacnaris' company after her internship, a testament to his hands-on approach in mentoring Rutgers athletes.
"George's generosity is really motivated and inspired by his connection with the players," said Civico. "He gets excited about the direct impact he can make on the lives of our student-athletes — whether it's scholarships, career opportunities, or experiences they'll never forget."
Outside the Lines
From chartering flights for the Big Ten Tournament to funding international trips, Tsacnaris has made a habit of creating once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for Scarlet Knights. His support has enabled Rutgers programs to train and compete overseas — from field hockey's 2023 trip to Belgium and the Netherlands, to women's soccer's tour of the United Kingdom, to rowing's Henley Royal Regatta victory in the UK.
"George has always been an advocate for the underdogs," Civico said. "He's committed to ensuring women's sports have the same access to opportunities. That passion has given our student-athletes memories and growth experiences that would never have been possible otherwise."
Tsacnaris doesn't just support behind the scenes — he shows up. He makes it a point to travel to away contests, often filling a void when families and friends cannot. Whether it's women's soccer on a Thursday night, women's golf in Tampa, or women's tennis matches followed by team dinners, his presence has become part of the Rutgers experience.
"Parents and friends can't always travel," Tsacnaris explained. "But I can. Everyone should have the best experience they can, so whatever I can do to help make that happen — I will."
Legacy Creates Opportunity
Tsacnaris' impact is felt well beyond the scoreboard. He sends congratulatory notes to student-athletes and their parents, encourages players to highlight academic and leadership honors on their resumes and makes time for birthday lunches with the field hockey team.
"He's very much part of our family," said Civico. "We love George. He's unique, he's genuine, and he's invested in our success on every level — fiscally, through mentorship, through experiences. Everyone knows George, and everyone appreciates the role he plays in our program."
For Tsacnaris, the motivation is simple — to inspire others and to give women's sports the attention they deserve.
"This will give cause to others to do the same," he said. "Now that there's external support [revenue sharing], I want to direct funds where they're needed most. There are hundreds of student-athletes working just as hard as anyone else, and they deserve that support."
