Rutgers alumnus George Tsacnaris, a 1982 graduate of Rutgers College, has made a $100,000 donation to the university’s field hockey program. This contribution is the largest single gift in the history of Rutgers Field Hockey and brings Tsacnaris’ total giving to Rutgers Athletics to over $1 million.
Tsacnaris has supported women’s athletics at Rutgers for more than ten years through mentorship, time, and philanthropy. He also maintains season tickets 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.”
His involvement with Scarlet Knights For LifeTM began when he hired student-athletes as interns at his company. Two of those interns were field hockey players Katie Champion and Devon (Freshnock) Palmer. Through these connections, Tsacnaris became more engaged with the program and later established a scholarship in honor of Coach Civico on Palmer’s Senior Day in 2016. Palmer went on to work full-time for Tsacnaris after her internship.
“George’s generosity is really motivated and inspired by his connection with the players,” Civico said. “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.”
Tsacnaris’ contributions have funded international trips for several women’s teams at Rutgers. These include field hockey’s trip to Belgium and the Netherlands in 2023, women’s soccer’s tour of the United Kingdom, and rowing’s participation in England’s Henley Royal Regatta.
“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.”
He frequently attends away games for various women’s teams when families cannot travel with them. “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.”
Beyond financial support, Tsacnaris engages personally with athletes by sending congratulatory notes and meeting with them outside athletic events. “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.”
Tsacnaris hopes his actions encourage others to support women’s sports at Rutgers: “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.”
