University of Delaware Athletics
Student-Athletes Raise $27,000 in Annual Reps for Kids Event to Support UDance
12/19/2024 11:34:00 AM | Baseball, Field Hockey, Football, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Lacrosse, Men's Soccer, Men's Swimming & Diving, Men's Tennis, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis, Volleyball, Women's Lacrosse, Rowing, Delaware Athletics, SAAC, Track & Field, Cheer, Dance
NEWARK, Del. – University of Delaware student-athletes came together at the Bob Carpenter Center to play games, have fun, and get reps in to raise money for kids and families battling cancer. Collectively, the group raised $27,000 to benefit UDance in the annual event hosted by the department's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
"After a couple of months of planning it was so amazing to see Reps for Kids come together so smoothly!," SAAC Reps for Kids Co-Programming Chair and senior rower Amina Mai said. "It wouldn't have been possible without the help from the SAAC volunteers and the participation from UDance, student-athletes, coaches, and support staff. It was so awesome to see everyone come together for such an important cause, and we hope to carry on this legacy for years to come!"
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 the 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 Delaware athletics teams. A number of those heroes were on hand for the event this year, participating in the challenges with their teams.
Teams were paired up and went head-to-head in dodgeball, an inflatable obstacle course, flash fundraising, family feud, knockout, and of course, weightlifting.
UDance is a student-run philanthropic organization at the University of Delaware. Founded in 2007, UDance has been dedicated to fighting childhood cancer ever since. The organization raises awareness in the community through social media and on and off campus events, while providing immediate and direct financial aid to families affected by childhood cancer.
"On behalf of UDance, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in Reps for Kids and to all those who helped organize the event," UDance Athletics Director and senior cheerleader Brielle Herbst said. "Thanks to your incredible support, athletics was able to assist 22 families currently battling childhood cancer this week alone. There are children who dream of being in a place like ours, playing the sports they love, but instead, they are focused on fighting to stay healthy. Your generosity is making a real difference, and we couldn't have done it without each and every one of you. Thank you once again for your dedication to these kids and for making this event such a success!"
The 500+ student-athletes and coaches raised $16,000 more than last year and $5,000 over their goal of $22,000. The goal was reached in part, thanks to Associate AD, Director of Ice Arenas and Outdoor Aquatic Center Jim Kaden. Kaden and his family donated nearly $1,000 in honor of his son Brett, a B+ Hero, cancer survivor, UDance executive board member, and current junior at the University.
Rowing led all teams with $3,499 raised. Individually, football's Carson Shockley led all male student-athletes with $1,195 raised and women's soccer's Amy Swain paced female student-athletes with $575.
In the weight room, football's Fintan Brose tallied the most bench press reps by a male student-athlete at 63 at 135 pounds. Field hockey's Tetje Williamson did so on the women's side with 98 reps of 65 pounds.
This year, coaches boasted a combined total of 1,452 reps in the weight room with a remarkable showing by Assistant Field Hockey Coach Jason Klinkradt with 177 reps, Director of Golf/Head Women's Golf Coach Patty Post with 43 reps, and Head Rowing Coach Asiya Mahmud with 40 reps. The 2024 Reps for Kids saw a noteworthy increase in coaches' involvement.
At the end of the event, volleyball won the most challenges and was crowned the champions for the second-consecutive year.
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"After a couple of months of planning it was so amazing to see Reps for Kids come together so smoothly!," SAAC Reps for Kids Co-Programming Chair and senior rower Amina Mai said. "It wouldn't have been possible without the help from the SAAC volunteers and the participation from UDance, student-athletes, coaches, and support staff. It was so awesome to see everyone come together for such an important cause, and we hope to carry on this legacy for years to come!"
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 the 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 Delaware athletics teams. A number of those heroes were on hand for the event this year, participating in the challenges with their teams.
Teams were paired up and went head-to-head in dodgeball, an inflatable obstacle course, flash fundraising, family feud, knockout, and of course, weightlifting.
UDance is a student-run philanthropic organization at the University of Delaware. Founded in 2007, UDance has been dedicated to fighting childhood cancer ever since. The organization raises awareness in the community through social media and on and off campus events, while providing immediate and direct financial aid to families affected by childhood cancer.
"On behalf of UDance, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in Reps for Kids and to all those who helped organize the event," UDance Athletics Director and senior cheerleader Brielle Herbst said. "Thanks to your incredible support, athletics was able to assist 22 families currently battling childhood cancer this week alone. There are children who dream of being in a place like ours, playing the sports they love, but instead, they are focused on fighting to stay healthy. Your generosity is making a real difference, and we couldn't have done it without each and every one of you. Thank you once again for your dedication to these kids and for making this event such a success!"
The 500+ student-athletes and coaches raised $16,000 more than last year and $5,000 over their goal of $22,000. The goal was reached in part, thanks to Associate AD, Director of Ice Arenas and Outdoor Aquatic Center Jim Kaden. Kaden and his family donated nearly $1,000 in honor of his son Brett, a B+ Hero, cancer survivor, UDance executive board member, and current junior at the University.
Rowing led all teams with $3,499 raised. Individually, football's Carson Shockley led all male student-athletes with $1,195 raised and women's soccer's Amy Swain paced female student-athletes with $575.
In the weight room, football's Fintan Brose tallied the most bench press reps by a male student-athlete at 63 at 135 pounds. Field hockey's Tetje Williamson did so on the women's side with 98 reps of 65 pounds.
This year, coaches boasted a combined total of 1,452 reps in the weight room with a remarkable showing by Assistant Field Hockey Coach Jason Klinkradt with 177 reps, Director of Golf/Head Women's Golf Coach Patty Post with 43 reps, and Head Rowing Coach Asiya Mahmud with 40 reps. The 2024 Reps for Kids saw a noteworthy increase in coaches' involvement.
At the end of the event, volleyball won the most challenges and was crowned the champions for the second-consecutive year.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware Athletics, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
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