St. John's University Athletics
SAAC Teams up with HEADstrong Foundation
4/8/2020 2:35:00 PM | General, Men's Lacrosse
St. John’s Athletics Department raises awareness and funds for cancer patients during COVID-19
During this era of social distancing, the St. John's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) collaborated with the HEADstrong Foundation to raise awareness and funds for cancer patients, who are vulnerable during these uncertain times. As a department, St. John's raised over $6,500, the most of any participating program.
In conjunction with National Student-Athlete Day on Monday, April 6, SAAC joined forces with the entire Red Storm Athletics Department to organize The Last Shift Virtual 5K Challenge through HEADstrong.
Assistant Director of Academic Support for Student-Athletes Alexandra Parise, who oversees SAAC, helped to spearhead the event.
"One of our spring initiatives as a group was to create a SAAC signature community service event, where this group of student-athlete leaders could use their platform for a purpose," Parise said. "I am so proud of how this group stepped up to the challenge of continuing with this goal, virtually."
The Red Storm athletics department joined over 150 teams in the virtual fundraising initiative.
"This was a tremendous team-first experience led by our amazing student-athletes looking for a way to support those in need," Director of Athletics Mike Cragg said. "I am so proud of our entire department's response. Our student-athletes, coaches and staff all bonded together, while staying at home during this pandemic. Truly an awe-inspiring event on National Student-Athlete Day."
Christian Rega, an attackman on the Red Storm's lacrosse team and a member of the SAAC E-Board, was the top individual fundraiser for the event, raising nearly $2,000.
"I thought the #LastShift2020 was a great way to get student-athletes moving again," Rega said. "With the sudden change of our schedules, it was hard to cope with all the free time. We have also been a partner with HEADstrong before and we were working on having a HEADstrong event during the season for the whole school. It worked out great and the whole school got behind it which is awesome. I had 200 dollars donated to me at first then I sent it to my mom who then sent it to every family member/ colleague that we know. Next thing I knew, I was at the top of the list. It's a great feeling to see a community of people come together to give back to an organization that fights to help families and patients in need."
More information on the The Last Shift campaign and instructions on how to donate can be found here
In conjunction with National Student-Athlete Day on Monday, April 6, SAAC joined forces with the entire Red Storm Athletics Department to organize The Last Shift Virtual 5K Challenge through HEADstrong.
Assistant Director of Academic Support for Student-Athletes Alexandra Parise, who oversees SAAC, helped to spearhead the event.
"One of our spring initiatives as a group was to create a SAAC signature community service event, where this group of student-athlete leaders could use their platform for a purpose," Parise said. "I am so proud of how this group stepped up to the challenge of continuing with this goal, virtually."
The Red Storm athletics department joined over 150 teams in the virtual fundraising initiative.
"This was a tremendous team-first experience led by our amazing student-athletes looking for a way to support those in need," Director of Athletics Mike Cragg said. "I am so proud of our entire department's response. Our student-athletes, coaches and staff all bonded together, while staying at home during this pandemic. Truly an awe-inspiring event on National Student-Athlete Day."
Christian Rega, an attackman on the Red Storm's lacrosse team and a member of the SAAC E-Board, was the top individual fundraiser for the event, raising nearly $2,000.
"I thought the #LastShift2020 was a great way to get student-athletes moving again," Rega said. "With the sudden change of our schedules, it was hard to cope with all the free time. We have also been a partner with HEADstrong before and we were working on having a HEADstrong event during the season for the whole school. It worked out great and the whole school got behind it which is awesome. I had 200 dollars donated to me at first then I sent it to my mom who then sent it to every family member/ colleague that we know. Next thing I knew, I was at the top of the list. It's a great feeling to see a community of people come together to give back to an organization that fights to help families and patients in need."
More information on the The Last Shift campaign and instructions on how to donate can be found here
Players Mentioned
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