Team UA: USF Football Lift For Life 2026
Only 5% of Rare Diseases Have Access to an FDA-Approved Treatment. We’re Lifting to Change That, But We Need Your Help!
USF Football — Lift for Life Campaign
University of Sioux Falls Football student-athletes are gearing up for something special.
Our inaugural Lift for Life fundraiser is right around the corner, and University of Sioux Falls Football is proud to step forward in support of Uplifting Athletes, a nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of sport to build community and invest in the lives of those impacted by rare diseases.
Lift for Life is Uplifting Athletes' signature fundraising event, led by college football programs across the country. Through a growing movement within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, the Cougars are joining fellow NSIC programs in turning strength, teamwork, and leadership into meaningful impact for the rare disease community.
At USF, we believe football is about more than what happens on Saturdays. It's about developing leaders, serving others, and using our platform to make a difference. Lift for Life gives our student-athletes the opportunity to do exactly that by transforming their effort in the weight room into hope for families facing rare diseases.
More than 30 million Americans are living with a rare disease, and many continue to face challenges related to diagnosis, treatment, and support. Through Lift for Life, our team has the opportunity to stand alongside those families and show them they are not alone.
As this is our first year participating, we're building something meaningful from the ground up. We're establishing a tradition of service, creating opportunities for our student-athletes to lead, and demonstrating what it means to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
Supporters can get involved by making a flat donation or pledging based on our team's performance during the event. Every contribution helps fund rare disease research, support families, and develop the next generation of servant leaders.
We're just getting started.
And together, we're making an impact far beyond the game.
Lift for Life
Jul 28, 2026
TBD
The USF Athletic Performance Center
Cliff Ave, , Sioux Falls , SD, US, 57108
Get Directions
Blake Stahl – University of Sioux Falls Football | Lift for Life Lead
Blake Stahl is a tight end for the University of Sioux Falls football program and a rising leader both on and off the field. A redshirt sophomore from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Blake has developed into a dependable presence for the Cougars while pursuing a degree in Exercise Science. Known for his size, work ethic, and team-first mentality, he continues to grow within one of Division II football’s most competitive programs.
Beyond football, Blake has stepped into a powerful leadership role as the Lift for Life lead for USF football, helping drive the team’s involvement with Uplifting Athletes and the broader rare disease community. Through this platform, he has helped connect his teammates to something bigger than the game, turning offseason work into meaningful impact through fundraising, awareness, and community engagement.
Blake’s leadership and service-driven mindset have earned him national recognition as a finalist for the inaugural Revive Award, honoring student-athletes who elevate others through resilience, impact, and purpose-driven leadership. His work reflects what Lift for Life is all about: using football as a force for something far beyond the field.
At USF, Blake represents the kind of student-athlete who brings consistency in the huddle and compassion in the community. As his role continues to expand, so does his influence as a connector, motivator, and builder of something lasting.
Donations
Uplifting Athletes is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 that harnesses the power of sport to build a community that invests in the lives of people impacted by rare diseases. Since its inception, Uplifting Athletes has raised more than $9 million by engaging athletes in order to positively impact the rare disease community through driving action and funding research. To learn more about Uplifting Athletes please visit UpliftingAthletes.org.