(Rochester, NY)… The Rochester Knighthawks are proud to announce that they donated $31,631.34 to local charities and organizations through jersey auctions, ticket donations, and merchandise sales.
“Supporting local charities is an important part of being a good community partner,” said Knighthawks President and General Manager Dan Carey. “We believe in giving back to the communities we serve and investing in organizations that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. By supporting local charitable initiatives, we help strengthen our communities and create opportunities for those who need them most.”
The Knighthawks’ biggest fundraisers were their annual jersey auctions. Marvel Super Hero™️ Day, presented by Toshiba Business Solutions, raised over $7,125.69 for Webster Comfort Care Home. As part of the festivities on March 8, the Knighthawks wore special jerseys inspired by Spider-Man: Miles Morales. The one-of-a-kind jerseys were auctioned off on DASH, a sport-focused online auction platform and partner of the Knighthawks.
“In partnership with one of our exclusive partners, Toshiba Business Solutions was pleased to help the Knighthawks to identify and select Webster Comfort Care as a deserving organization for this support,” said John McBride, Vice President & General Manager, Toshiba Business Solutions. “Toshiba has long supported charitable organizations and remains committed to recognizing and strengthening the communities which they service.”
On March 21, the Knighthawks wore special gold-and-black jerseys in support of pediatric cancer patients and their families. The game was made possible through a partnership with C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association & Segar & Sciortino. The jersey auction on March 21 raised $6,147.81 for C.U.R.E.
A team huddle in the locker room with the kids from C.U.R.E. (Photo credit/James Baehr)
The Knighthawks players and staff also held their annual pizza party with C.U.R.E. children and their families. The event included lunch, a locker room tour, and an autograph session.
“Something like this is so meaningful, especially for our families,” said C.U.R.E. Executive Director Holly Dutcher. “It takes a village to raise a child. It takes an even bigger village to raise a child that has an illness. Seeing the community come together to support these families and raise awareness is so meaningful. Our families look forward to this every year and are so grateful for the opportunity to come together to meet other families, but also to raise awareness in honor of their kids.”
The final jersey auction was held during the Knighthawks’ annual Native American Heritage Game on April 19. The team’s jerseys were designed by artist Randee Spruce, Seneca of the Heron Clan. The jersey auction raised $3,191.53 for both the Newtown Minor Lacrosse Association and the Allegany Arrows. The Knighthawks also auctioned off the players’ warm-up T-shirts, which garnered $934.78 for the Salamanca Warriors Seneca Youth Dancers.
The Team signing autographs after the final home game of the season. (Credit: Ethan Bissinger)
The Knighthawks were also active in the community, spending over 300 hours on community service events. Players visited places like Golisano Children’s Hospital, Ganondagan State Historic Site, Monroe County Prison, and the Cattaraugus Community Center. The Knighthawks players also attended World Read Aloud Day at Bernabi Elementary, School 33 for Read Across America, and the Literacy Fair at St. Lawrence Catholic School.
The school events were three of 17 school visits conducted by the organization this past season. The players did everything from reading to kids to teaching lacrosse to countless gym classes. One of the first school events was at RIT, where the Knighthawks and the Seneca Nation partnered with the RIT Native American Student Association (NASA) on Nov. 12 to host a lacrosse cultural panel and clinic as part of NASA’s Native American Heritage Month programming.
Knighthawks players Zed Williams and Jake Piseno, both members of the Haudenosaunee national team, and Taylor Jensen, a former RIT Tiger, spoke with RIT students, youth lacrosse players, and parents. Seneca National Councilors Klint Nephew and Jonathan D. Williams both sat on the panel as well.
The Team speaking with students and youth lacrosse players about Native American Heritage at RIT. (Photo credit/James Baehr)
“Bringing Indigenous awareness to youth and college players is important because, I think, not a lot of lacrosse players in general know where the roots come from and how important it is to us, the Indigenous people,” Piseno said. “Everyone hears it’s the medicine game, and they need to understand what that means. Then they can continue to bring that awareness to their friends, family, and people that they come across.”
“I’m glad that we’re able to continue doing that process,” he added. “Me, Zed, and everyone that’s a part of the Seneca Nation and the Haudenosaunee people. It was awesome, and I think it’s only the beginning of what we can do.”
The Knighthawks also teamed up with DICK’S House of Sport to host a free youth lacrosse clinic at the Victor, NY, location. The two-hour clinic on April 12 was open to boys and girls ages 8-13. Kids learned directly from Knighthawks players Connor Fields, Chad Tutton, Ryland Rees, Ryan Smith, and Matt Gilray.
Ryland Rees signing autographs at the DICKs House Of Sport Clinic in April. (Photo credit/James Baehr)
This offseason, Rees, Brad Gillies, and Taylor Jensen, and the staff have been busy visiting lacrosse tournaments, meeting fans, and signing autographs. The Knighthawks were present at the Canandaigua Lacrosse Invitational, Victor Lacrosse Tournament, Cinco de Laxo youth tournament, the 35th Fairport Classic, and the Irondequoit Lacrosse Tournament.
The highlight of the summer is the return of the Knighthawks Youth Summer Lacrosse Camp, which is presented by the University of Rochester Medical Center. Kids will receive world-class instruction from Knighthawks players at the camp, held at The Blue Cross Arena from Tuesday, July 21, through Thursday, July 23. Knighthawks team captain Dan Coates, Williams, Fields, Gilray, Rees, and Jensen will headline the group of players who will work the camp.
“Being part of the Rochester Knighthawks Youth Summer Camp is an experience these kids will never forget,” said Rees. “It’s not just about improving their skills on the floor; it is about the full experience. They’re learning directly from NLL pros, stepping onto an actual NLL floor, gaining behind-the-scenes access to locker rooms, and seeing what it really takes to play at the next level.”