University of Delaware Athletics
Annual Rep for Kids Events Brings Blue Hen Student-Athletes Together to Raise Funds for Cancer Awareness
12/13/2017 4:39:00 PM | Delaware Athletics
Story by Sara Komer, UD Athletics Communications Intern
NEWARK, Del. -- Hundreds of University of Delaware student-athletes gathered last Thursday evening at the Bob Carpenter Center to take a brief break from practices, classes, and exams.
And while having fun, sharing laughs, and playing games was part of the evening, the event was all about helping kids and families struggling with cancer.
The UD athletic community spent the evening “repping out” for B+ Heroes as part of the annual Reps for Kids celebration. The event worked closely with UDance and the B+ Foundation to help raise money and awareness for childhood cancer.
At least one individual from each team participated in the evening's festivities with the goal of giving back to the community, and specifically to UDance, the wildly successful student-run, year-long effort dedicated to unifying the community while raising awareness for childhood cancer. It culminates in a 12-hour philanthropic dance marathon every March at the BCC. Last year the event raised $1.89 million. This year's UDance event will takes place on Sunday, March 11, at the BCC.
Joe McDonough, founder and director of the B+ Foundation, made a special appearance for the event to share his message about the foundation and the impact the student-athletes could make. The Andrew McDonough B+ (Be Positive) Foundation, named in honor of Joe's son who died of Leukemia at the age of 14 in 2007, is largest provider of financial assistance to families of kids with cancer nationwide. The B+ Heroes program matches children battling cancer with different organizations throughout the area, including many UD athletics teams.
“This is our big contribution to UDance,” remarked Michaela Scanlon, a member of Delaware's four-time defending Colonial Athletic Association champion field hockey team and the vice-president of the UD Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). "This is when we all come together for a great cause. It's exciting when we come back in the spring to the actual event to see the impact we made. This is our way to use our platform to promote a cause to get behind.”
The night included bouncy houses, relay races, minute-to-win-it games, dodge ball, three smiling B+ heroes, and of course, weightlifting. As the games ran continuously throughout the night, teams competed against one another to see which squads could rack up the highest rep percentage and thus earn the most donations.
The student-athletes were given the choice to either bench press or do pull-ups. When every team entered the weight room, the shouting and cheering grew to new heights. Outside of the weight room, the excitement and energy of over 300 student-athletes rang throughout the entire Bob Carpenter Center.
“The vibe at the event is really great because everyone is together, having a great time for a great cause,” stated Dillon Zimmerman, a wide receiver on the UD football team and a SAAC representative. “The most rewarding part is seeing the looks on the heroes faces and knowing they are having a great time.”
At the end of the evening, SAAC members tallied the numbers and announced the winners. The softball team won the lifting competition, averaging 25 reps per player. Not surprisingly, the cheerleading team took home the "Most Cheer" award. Although every team could not win the main competition, each student-athlete went home with a stronger love for the B+ heroes...and stronger biceps.
“Tonight is very special because it gives our student-athletes an opportunity as a community to raise money and awareness for such a great cause,” said Benjamin Oser, UD assistant director for student services & leadership and director of SAAC. "Many of our teams do a great job of going out and engaging with the community, but as we align B.L.U.E. (UD's new student-athlete leadership initiative) and all of our other community engagement initiatives, this really solidifies our hard work in the community and makes us all proud Blue Hens.”
Delaware's Reps for Kids event continues to provide student-athletes with an opportunity to support other teams, make a difference in the community, and most importantly, support the B+ heroes.
MEDIA INFORMATION: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129
