USA Field Hockey announced that its Olympic Development Pathway program has leveraged a raffle conducted during the 2026 Junior and Senior Nexus Championship to generate new scholarship funding for aspiring athletes.
The raffle, hosted on the RallyUp platform, proved to be a hit, drawing widespread participation and delivering a prize pool that will be funneled directly into the Athlete Scholarship fund for future cycles.
In total, the initiative supported more than 200 athletes across the pathway, offering them a tangible step toward Olympic aspirations while easing the financial burden of competition expenses.
Celebrating the Winners
Winners of the raffle were celebrated on stage, with prizes ranging from a $1,000 grand prize to $50 awards for several participants. Among the winners were Nancy Chewing, who took home the top prize, and Pam Tyrrel, who captured a $500 award, alongside Lisa Padula, Vanessa Scherzer, Jeffrey Mckahan, Kathy Quackenbush, Theresa Thyng, Kelly Saal and Michelle Hughes, each receiving $250, $100 or $50 respectively.
Organizers emphasized that every dollar raised will be returned to the athletes, reinforcing the program’s commitment to accessibility and growth of the sport at the grassroots level.
Beyond the monetary prizes, the raffle has sparked renewed enthusiasm for field hockey across the United States, encouraging clubs and schools to consider similar fundraising models that directly benefit young talent.