By: by Scott Lipsky
KENNESAW, Ga. - Members of the Kennesaw State Owls Track and Field program gave some of their time on Friday afternoon to give back to the community, organizing and staffing the “Dodge-For-a-Cause” dodge ball tournament to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at the KSU Convocation Center.
Track and Field athletes and coaches worked in two-hour shifts on Friday helping teams check in, providing refreshments and entertainment to participants, and officiating games. The stakes were high for teams, as First Prize was a four-night stay at a resort in Costa Rica.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is based in Memphis, Tenn. and is widely considered to be a world leader in treating children for all forms of cancer and other potentially life-threatening conditions. One of the things it is perhaps best-known for treating any accepted patients regardless of their ability to pay. According to their website, organizations all around the United States put on an estimated 34,000 events to benefit the hospital.
The event, which featured 13 teams, was a huge success, raising an estimated $3,000 for the hospital. Perspective donors will have another chance to contribute during the men's basketball game against Belmont on December 3rd, when the program will holding a silent auction to raise even more funds.
“It’s really great to spend some of our free time helping others, especially if it’s for as great an institution as St. Jude Children’s Hospital,” said assistant coach Devin West, who along with Owl junior Nathan Haskins was in charge of planning and executing the event. “We spend so much time practicing, trying to help ourselves maximize our athletic performance, that this is something we’re happy to do, time we’re happy to spend.”
