EASTON, Pa. (June 7, 2008) – Four Thiel College assistant football coaches joined 242 of their peers on July 1 for the fifth annual Lauren’s First and Goal - an event which raises funds for pediatric brain tumor research. The one-day clinic, which drew a record 1,633 high school students to Lafayette College’s Metzgar Fields Athletic Complex, generated $135,000 for the worthy cause.
Coaches representing the Tomcat football program were secondary coach J.P. McFeeley, offensive line coach Kyle Smesko, defensive line coach Brian Dickison, and assistant linebackers coach Corey Russell.
“I want to thank all the coaches and volunteers for working so hard to make Lauren’s First and Goal such a success,” said camp director and Lafayette defensive coordinator John Loose. “By the end of this year we will hit the half-million dollar mark in the five years since the camp’s inception.”
Loose’s daughter Lauren, whose battle with an inoperable brain tumor is the motivation for the annual event, was in attendance and spoke to the crowd, thanking everyone for their participation.
Lauren’s First and Goal, which started five years ago with just 56 volunteer coaches and 300 campers, has grown into one of the largest one-day football camps in the country.
The non-contact clinic was open to students entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2007. The minimum donation is $25, with all of the proceeds from the camp directly benefiting Lauren's First and Goal Foundation, a 501c3 tax-exempt charitable organization.
Through the generosity of its volunteers and sponsors, all of the proceeds went directly to the pediatric brain tumor research and cancer services.
“We feel very strongly about being actively involved in community service projects,” said Thiel head coach, Jack Leipheimer. “I am very proud of our coaches for the effort they have made towards this worthy cause.” |
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