A Season With Purpose: The 2025 Northwestern Mutual x FCS Nation x Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Challenge Begins

How It Started

It wasn’t even two seasons ago when Chris Schenkel, Managing Partner at Northwestern Mutual Sioux Falls, approached Kevin Marshall and me with an idea. An idea about giving FCS athletes, those often overlooked, but no less deserving, a platform that represented more than just the name on the back of their jerseys or the school across their chests. It was about standing for something bigger.

In a world where FBS often takes center stage, we took a stand. A stand for the FCS: where the level of talent rivals any stage, and the hunger to prove it is, quite simply, unmatched. And more importantly, we took a stand for kids across the country who are fighting childhood cancer.

“I love football, particularly and especially FCS football, so it was a natural fit to want to partner something I love with an organization that Northwestern Mutual was already connected with,” said Chris Schenkel. “We recognized that we could essentially marry some of the work we were doing on campus in our internship space with what we were doing in raising awareness around childhood cancer. We created something new, something special. And it worked.” — Chris Schenkel

What We’ve Built So Far

Since launching the Northwestern Mutual x FCS Nation Radio x Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation Challenge, we’ve raised over $100,000 for children battling cancer. In year one, we brought in just under $50,000. Last season, nearly $70,000. The impact has exceeded our expectations. But if we're being honest, this is exactly the kind of movement we hoped could happen when the right people got behind the right cause.

“It’s been nothing short of amazing to watch how quickly the impact and excitement around our partnership grew,” Schenkel added. “Watching the fandom turn into impact has been special. The greatest moments have been hearing the stories from parents of how Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation helped them while their children were battling cancer. Hands down, the biggest win.” — Chris Schenkel

Year Three: Bigger, Better, and Bolder

Welcome to Season Three. Some athletes and schools are back, and some new faces are joining the lineup. We’re leveling up, expanding from 12 athletes to more than 18 schools and honorary captains represented across the country. We didn’t just add to the roster, we upgraded it. Stretching from Albany to Washington, D.C., to Tallahassee, Florida. The competition is heating up, the impact is deepening, and the mission is only just beginning.

In just two seasons, our alumni roster has grown into a group we’re incredibly proud of, a testament to the caliber of character and talent represented in this challenge. Just ask David Walker, former Central Arkansas Bear and now a 2025 4th round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Or Mark Gronowski, a South Dakota State legend turned Iowa Hawkeye, who walked away a two-time FCS National Champion, two-time Championship Game MVP, and winner of last season’s Lemon Trophy. 

They’re joined by dozens of other standouts whose legacies now include not only impressive stats and titles, but impact that extends well beyond the field. These athletes aren’t just joining for a photo op. They're Honorary Captains of the Week throughout the season, co-hosting our national radio broadcast, sharing their stories, and peeling back the layers of who they are beyond the field. From their goals and rivalries to their personal ties to childhood cancer, we get to meet the person underneath the helmet.

This season, they’re taking that connection even further, meeting fans where they are. Each athlete, in partnership with the local Northwestern Mutual office they represent, will host community-facing events throughout the season. Whether it’s signing autographs, grabbing food at local restaurants, or popping up at hometown shops, these Honorary Captains are giving fans the chance to hang out off the field, all while raising awareness and funds for their challenge.

And for some, this fight hits closer to home. In just two seasons, we’ve featured multiple athletes who have personally been impacted by cancer, either in their families or their own lives. Their stories add weight to every dollar raised and every word spoken on-air.

Meet the Leaders Behind the Challenge

This year’s challenge would not be possible without the dedication of our Managing Partners and their local offices:

• Chris Schenkel – South Dakota State University & University of South Dakota

• Derrick Dinger – North Dakota State University & University of North Dakota

• Heather Zepeda – Richmond

• Richard Worrell – El Cid, Furman, & Davidson

• Todd Grabner – Weber State

• Tony Stanley – Villanova

• Avril Habetz – Southeastern Louisiana

• Steve Gross – S. Illinois

• Jim Meeks – Central Arkansas

• Deshawn Chapman – Northern Arizona

• Jessica Salazar – FAMU

• Leo Tucker – Howard University

• Ryan Kramer – Illinois St.

• John Wright Jr – Mercer

• Greg Castronovo – Montana State

• Michael Doolittle – Colgate

• Alessandro Tronco – Albany

  
  

And we’re not done yet. Don’t be surprised to see even more new faces join the fight this season!

Our Mission: For Alex, For the Kids

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation began with a single front yard stand started by 4-year-old Alexandra "Alex" Scott. Battling neuroblastoma, Alex wanted to raise money to help doctors help other kids like her. By the time she passed away at age 8, she had raised $1 million.

Today, her legacy lives on through ALSF’s mission: to find cures for all children battling cancer. To date, the Foundation has raised more than $250 million, funding 1,000+ research projects and offering countless support services to families across the U.S. and Canada.

Northwestern Mutual has proudly partnered with ALSF since 2012, contributing over $65 million and 810,000+ volunteer hours toward childhood cancer research and support. "It’s part of our rich history of giving, part of who we are," said Schenkel. "Our local firms were eager to carry that forward."

Get Involved

The official launch of this year’s challenge is right around the corner, stay tuned for big announcements on matchups, athlete reveals, and ways to contribute.

But in the meantime, you can get involved now:

• Engage with us on social media

• Do your homework on where your school’s representative finished last season

• Strategize with fellow fans on how to take the Lemon Trophy home

  
  

Because this year, the competition is fierce, the impact is real, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Follow along and get ready to take a stand:

@FCSNationRadio1 on X (Twitter) and Facebook as well.

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation

Northwestern Mutual, a leading financial services company, is committed to accelerating the search for better treatments and cures for childhood cancer while supporting families going through treatment and survivors living with late effects. For more than a decade, Northwestern Mutual has partnered with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to fund the most promising and innovative childhood cancer research. To date, Northwestern Mutual has given more than $50 million to the cause and funded more than 600,000 hours of research. To learn more about Northwestern Mutual's commitment to fighting childhood cancer, visit its Foundation's website.