In the 12th annual Battle of the Valleys fundraising campaign, SVSU beat rival Grand Valley State University for the seventh consecutive year, raising $32,294.21 compared to Grand Valley’s $7,000.

Battle of the Valleys chair Emily VanFleteren, a physical education senior, hoped to raise $35,000 for the Cory Rivard Jr. Promise Foundation, which educates college students on preventative measures for suicide, depression, anxiety and other mental illness.

Vanguard photo | Cody Shrader

President of SVSU Student Association Joey Rexford presents a check for $32,294.21 to representatives of the Cory Rivard Jr. Promise Foundation, SVSU’s charity for the 2014 Battle of the Valleys fundraiser.

The foundation was developed in 2012 by the Rivard family in memory of Grand Valley student Cory Rivard Jr. who committed suicide in January 2011. Josh Rivard, Cory’s younger brother, graduated from SVSU in May 2014 and is now enrolled in graduate school.

VanFleteren finds the foundation’s tag line “A Hug from Above” a great way to sum up Cory’s personality.

“He was a great kid,” VanFleteren said. “This hits home for me, and a lot of people on campus who had met Cory or who know Josh.”

SVSU’s fundraising efforts spanned a total of six days, starting Sunday, Nov. 9, and ending at the football game at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at SVSU’s Harvey Randall Wickes Stadium.

Sunday, Nov. 9, included the kickoff party; Monday, Nov. 10, was the date auction; students could purchase pies to throw at members of Student Association and Residential Life on Tuesday, Nov. 11; Wednesday, Nov. 12, was the pep rally; and a talent show was Thursday, Nov. 13.

Outside of the events held on campus, the Saginaw Spirit hockey team combined its efforts to support SVSU’s philanthropic endeavor in the Friday, Nov. 14, game against the Windsor Spitfires. A portion of tickets sold went directly to the foundation.

Volunteers also sold Battle of the Valley T-shirts and sweatshirts and glow sticks that illuminated the arena during a moment of silence in remembrance of Cory.

Battle of the Valleys began in 2003 as another way to amplify the schools’ football rivalry. Pooling the efforts of SVSU and Grand Valley, a total of about $472,257.21 has been raised for various charities and foundations.

Of that total amount, SVSU has raised $306,792.21, or 64.9 percent of the total, out-performing Grand Valley during nine of the 12 years.

VanFleteren found this year’s benefactor’s connection with both Grand Valley and SVSU as an important message for the Battle of the Valleys competition as a whole.

“Although there’s a rivalry, we’re fighting for great causes together,” Vanfleteren said. “It helps put this rivalry in a positive light.”