Hall of Famers Come Up Big to CELEBRATE RU

Men’s soccer hall of famers Denny Lee, ’77, and Rich Suit, ’74, made sure the men’s soccer program had a lot to celebrate for Celebrate RU 2022. Before the University’s annual day of giving, Lee and Suit contacted as many Rockhurst men’s soccer alumni as possible, encouraging support of the program on Celebrate RU. Their efforts resulted in $35,000 raised from 55 individual donations in a single day.

Being able to help the program sustain success amid a changing landscape in college athletics was a motivating factor for Lee and Suit. “Our student-athletes are putting in the time and doing everything they need to do to succeed. The least we can do is try to keep it at a level playing field to assist them in achieving their goals,” said Lee.

Lee and Suit are optimistic that the men’s soccer program alumni and fans can come together again in 2023 to have even more success. “Working together (in 2023) off the field will help us deliver what the teams need to compete at the highest level so we can all celebrate with pride,” said Suit.

Alumni, family members and fans can learn more about how they can be a part of Celebrate RU for all athletic programs by visiting rockhursthawks.com/celebrateRU.

Cody Schuler, ’13, passed away on Nov. 25, 2014, after a long battle with cancer. Philip Hageman, ’13, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 12, 2021. The sadness of these statements is overpowered by the generosity and joy of some alumni in their inner circle: Tracy Sexton, ’13, Nick Traxler, ’13, Steven Bokel, ’13, Isy Perez, ’13, and Cody’s brother, Clay Schuler, ’14.

In 2014, these alumni formed a nonprofit organization called the Cody Fund. When Philip passed away seven years later, his family decided to make a significant gift to the Cody Fund to complete the endowment. This fund was designed to raise money for students to participate in RU service trips.

Cody and Philip were friends and roommates at RU. They also attended a service trip to Guatemala in the spring of 2011. “Knowing the positive impact of that service trip on Philip, it was our honor as a family to contribute to the

Cody Fund from the Estate of Philip Hageman. We know in our hearts that Philip would have wanted us to do this,” said Philip’s family, who completed the fund.

Are you interested in endowed funds at Rockhurst? Please contact Bebe Harrington at bebe.harrington@rockhurst.edu for more information.