From the Carolina Hurricanes official website:
In what is becoming the traditional way to kick off the new hockey season, Hurricanes Head Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach Pete Friesen will hold his Friesen's 5K Fun Run on Sunday, September 9th.
Last year's inaugural run was a huge success as over 2,000 people, including Hurricanes players and coaches, participated in the event, which raised over $21,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Eastern North Carolina.
"We were only expecting about 500 people, so last year's event was beyond our wildest dreams," said Friesen. "We were just trying to celebrate the Stanley Cup and show our fans some appreciation for all they did, and they turned around and showed us a lot.”
Click here to read how the event got started and who will participate.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Chicago Bears Win Prestigious Humanitarian Award
From the Chicago Bears' official website:
The Bears were named the 2006 recipient of the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame Pro Team Community Award, which is presented annually to a pro sports organization “for extraordinary contributions to their respective community.”
The Bears are the 12th winner of the award and just the second NFL team to be recognized for community service. Honored from a pool of applicants from organizations in Major League Baseball and the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLS and NASCAR, the Bears have implemented and supported programs in the areas of education, children and families, health and wellness, youth football, volunteerism and civic initiatives.
Roberto Garza often visits schools and is very involved in the Hispanic community.“I think it just speaks to the fact that there are a lot of guys on the team that do stuff in the community,” said veteran left tackle John Tait. “You’ve got guys on the team with big hearts and they’re willing to help out.”
During 2006, Bears players and staff members made 261 community appearances primarily at schools, hospitals, health organizations and youth agencies. Many of the appearances occurred on Tuesdays during the football season, which is the designated off day for all NFL players.
Click here to read more about the work the Bears' organization did to earn this award.
The Bears were named the 2006 recipient of the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame Pro Team Community Award, which is presented annually to a pro sports organization “for extraordinary contributions to their respective community.”
The Bears are the 12th winner of the award and just the second NFL team to be recognized for community service. Honored from a pool of applicants from organizations in Major League Baseball and the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLS and NASCAR, the Bears have implemented and supported programs in the areas of education, children and families, health and wellness, youth football, volunteerism and civic initiatives.
Roberto Garza often visits schools and is very involved in the Hispanic community.“I think it just speaks to the fact that there are a lot of guys on the team that do stuff in the community,” said veteran left tackle John Tait. “You’ve got guys on the team with big hearts and they’re willing to help out.”
During 2006, Bears players and staff members made 261 community appearances primarily at schools, hospitals, health organizations and youth agencies. Many of the appearances occurred on Tuesdays during the football season, which is the designated off day for all NFL players.
Click here to read more about the work the Bears' organization did to earn this award.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Blake Carves Niche in NBA With Character
Steve Blake has a special place in my heart. He was the point guard at my school, the University of Maryland, when they won the 2002 National Championship. It was expected that he would make much of an impact in the NBA, but low expectations is nothing new for Blake. Neither is exceeding them.
Blake recently signed a 3-year, $12 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. From the Baltimore Sun:
This is the story of how Blake did it - how he overcame initial jitters ("I was so nervous my legs got weak"), how his family helped him keep faith despite playing for four teams the past three seasons (this will be his second stint with the Blazers), and how he waited for the right situation with a team that appreciates him.
Blake created his NBA niche largely on character. The Blazers, trying to reconnect with fans after a spate of player misconduct in recent years, said they wanted Blake because he's grounded. Although Blake's career scoring average is only 6.4 points, the team's front office saw him as a prototype for the unselfish, blue-collar culture it is trying to create. He's proof that today's NBA teams - out of necessity - evaluate players on more than just statistics.
Click here to read how Blake, with the strong support of his family, has made it this far.
Blake recently signed a 3-year, $12 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. From the Baltimore Sun:
This is the story of how Blake did it - how he overcame initial jitters ("I was so nervous my legs got weak"), how his family helped him keep faith despite playing for four teams the past three seasons (this will be his second stint with the Blazers), and how he waited for the right situation with a team that appreciates him.
Blake created his NBA niche largely on character. The Blazers, trying to reconnect with fans after a spate of player misconduct in recent years, said they wanted Blake because he's grounded. Although Blake's career scoring average is only 6.4 points, the team's front office saw him as a prototype for the unselfish, blue-collar culture it is trying to create. He's proof that today's NBA teams - out of necessity - evaluate players on more than just statistics.
Click here to read how Blake, with the strong support of his family, has made it this far.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
NCAA Division II SAAC Does Top Rated Work Rasing Funds
From the NCAA's official website:
From car washes to change drives to bake sales and even kickball tournaments, members of the NCAA Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and their respective communities rallied together to raise $208,022 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation during the 2006-07 academic year. The final total more than doubled the group’s fundraising goal for the year and represented 100 percent participation from all Division II conferences.
“One of the many initiatives that make Division II unique is the commitment from SAAC to represent service through the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said Mike Racy, Division II Vice President. “Our student-athletes have taken great pride and ownership of this issue and have built upon its success year after year. They are an illustration of why the attribute of service is so important to our division.”
The Division II SAAC has a longstanding commitment to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants the heartfelt wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The student-athlete group has raised almost $500,000 since the launch of its fundraising initiative for the charity, with the most recent efforts marking the largest amount raised by the group in any single academic year.
Click here to read more about this effort and those who it will benefit.
From car washes to change drives to bake sales and even kickball tournaments, members of the NCAA Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and their respective communities rallied together to raise $208,022 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation during the 2006-07 academic year. The final total more than doubled the group’s fundraising goal for the year and represented 100 percent participation from all Division II conferences.
“One of the many initiatives that make Division II unique is the commitment from SAAC to represent service through the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said Mike Racy, Division II Vice President. “Our student-athletes have taken great pride and ownership of this issue and have built upon its success year after year. They are an illustration of why the attribute of service is so important to our division.”
The Division II SAAC has a longstanding commitment to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants the heartfelt wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The student-athlete group has raised almost $500,000 since the launch of its fundraising initiative for the charity, with the most recent efforts marking the largest amount raised by the group in any single academic year.
Click here to read more about this effort and those who it will benefit.
Friday, August 10, 2007
49er's Alex Smith Has a Hands-On Foundation
When Alex Smith became the number one pick in the 2005 NFL draft, he knew he would have the resources to help his community in a significant way. He didn't just want to write checks, however. He wanted to directly affective lives.
From AOL.com:
After he was the top pick in the 2005 NFL draft, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith knew what he did and did not want to do with his foundation.
Smith wanted to start one, and he wanted to involve his family.
Smith did not want a foundation that organized one lavish event, barely raising any money, and he did not want to be clueless about the cause he would support.
“There were a lot of athletes who were happy to say they had a foundation,” Smith said. “They didn’t know where the money was going or what they were doing. They just wanted to have a golf tournament.”
Smith quickly found his foundation’s calling. Shortly after the draft, Smith visited with some foster youth around his age, and he marveled at how much their stories contrasted to his.
Click here to read how Alex Smith and his foundation are making a difference in the lives of youth who needed a strong positive influence.
Click here to learn more about the Alex Smith foundation.
From AOL.com:
After he was the top pick in the 2005 NFL draft, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith knew what he did and did not want to do with his foundation.
Smith wanted to start one, and he wanted to involve his family.
Smith did not want a foundation that organized one lavish event, barely raising any money, and he did not want to be clueless about the cause he would support.
“There were a lot of athletes who were happy to say they had a foundation,” Smith said. “They didn’t know where the money was going or what they were doing. They just wanted to have a golf tournament.”
Smith quickly found his foundation’s calling. Shortly after the draft, Smith visited with some foster youth around his age, and he marveled at how much their stories contrasted to his.
Click here to read how Alex Smith and his foundation are making a difference in the lives of youth who needed a strong positive influence.
Click here to learn more about the Alex Smith foundation.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Going Out of Her Way to Make a Difference
From the NCAA's official website:
Brianna O’Donnell not only talks about making a difference -- she is actually doing it.
The sophomore field hockey goalkeeper from the University of North Carolina has gone on two lengthy trips to Kenya over the past year, volunteering at an orphanage in Kibera -- the world’s second-largest slum -- in the capital city of Nairobi. Her main objective was improving the children’s quality of life.
O’Donnell made her first trek to Kenya last December, staying for three weeks as a participant in the Global Volunteer Network program. She immediately fell in love with the children, and knew this was a cause she could not just walk away from.
In May, O’Donnell went back to help the same orphanage where she had worked during winter break. She wrote her family and close friends a letter, asking for donations that would directly make marked improvements at the orphanage. The native of Collegeville, Pa., raised $7,500 in four weeks, a sum she knew could really help.
Click here to read how much difference one field hockey goalie made overseas.
Brianna O’Donnell not only talks about making a difference -- she is actually doing it.
The sophomore field hockey goalkeeper from the University of North Carolina has gone on two lengthy trips to Kenya over the past year, volunteering at an orphanage in Kibera -- the world’s second-largest slum -- in the capital city of Nairobi. Her main objective was improving the children’s quality of life.
O’Donnell made her first trek to Kenya last December, staying for three weeks as a participant in the Global Volunteer Network program. She immediately fell in love with the children, and knew this was a cause she could not just walk away from.
In May, O’Donnell went back to help the same orphanage where she had worked during winter break. She wrote her family and close friends a letter, asking for donations that would directly make marked improvements at the orphanage. The native of Collegeville, Pa., raised $7,500 in four weeks, a sum she knew could really help.
Click here to read how much difference one field hockey goalie made overseas.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Teammates Show Hickerson Love on His Special Day
Former Cleveland Browns guard Gene Hickerson waited for 29 years to gain election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Sadly, by the time the honor came, he was well into a battle with Alzheimer's disease and could not truly appreciate or enjoy it.
That did not stop a large contingent of his former teammates from sharing the day with him;
From the Cleveland Browns' official website:
Bobby Franklin, who played for the Browns from 1960-66, gave a stirring presentation speech for his dear friend with whom he lived when they were young players in Cleveland. Afraid all along that he would become too emotional during the speech, his worse fears were realized.
But it was all good. Very good and very poignant.
"I love Gene Hickerson as if he were my brother, and I would like you all to love him, too," Franklin said.
"Normally, Gene would come out here and crack a joke or two and tell you how thrilled he is, but unfortunately, he will not be able to do that," Franklin said.
But a number of Hickerson's former teammates came from all parts of the country to personally show their respect and admiration for No. 66's grand, long-awaited accomplishment. Although he probably doesn't have much grasp of the moment, they knew they had to be there for him.
And for Bob Hickerson, whose voice quivered a number of times as he gave the acceptance speech on behalf of his father.
And for Franklin, to help get him through the night. The man they have long called Wavy couldn't be allowed to waver.
Join hands and help one another. Make sure everyone got to where they needed to go.
Together.
Click here to read more about this moving story, including a special escort Hickerson received from some of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
That did not stop a large contingent of his former teammates from sharing the day with him;
From the Cleveland Browns' official website:
Bobby Franklin, who played for the Browns from 1960-66, gave a stirring presentation speech for his dear friend with whom he lived when they were young players in Cleveland. Afraid all along that he would become too emotional during the speech, his worse fears were realized.
But it was all good. Very good and very poignant.
"I love Gene Hickerson as if he were my brother, and I would like you all to love him, too," Franklin said.
"Normally, Gene would come out here and crack a joke or two and tell you how thrilled he is, but unfortunately, he will not be able to do that," Franklin said.
But a number of Hickerson's former teammates came from all parts of the country to personally show their respect and admiration for No. 66's grand, long-awaited accomplishment. Although he probably doesn't have much grasp of the moment, they knew they had to be there for him.
And for Bob Hickerson, whose voice quivered a number of times as he gave the acceptance speech on behalf of his father.
And for Franklin, to help get him through the night. The man they have long called Wavy couldn't be allowed to waver.
Join hands and help one another. Make sure everyone got to where they needed to go.
Together.
Click here to read more about this moving story, including a special escort Hickerson received from some of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Making a Difference at the Grass Roots Level
Just because a professional athelte participates in a sport that's not featured on ESPN's SportsCenter every night doesn't mean he can't make a difference in his community. He just has to roll up his (or her) sleeves and work at the grass roots level.
That's just what Christian Cook, who plays for the Washington Bayhawks of Major League Lacrosse does.
From the MLL website:
Major League Lacrosse is unlike most professional sports organizations in that its athletes are made far more accessible to fans than in any other sport. League members also give a great deal of their time using lacrosse as a vehicle for community service. Christian Cook, defenseman for the Washington Bayhawks, is a great example of both of these values.
“I give my email to kids that have questions, and I make myself as available as possible,” he said. “I get a lot of questions from parents asking if I can help their child and I am glad to offer my time as often as possible. “Though Cook is a definite talent on the lacrosse field, something else makes him stand above the crowd. He realizes the vitality of community activism.
“I offer my time to anything I can in order to help promote lacrosse,” he said. “The US team holds clinics as well as Washington team clinics and camps. Whenever I have time, I enjoy helping out.”
Cook’s main focus in the community is Winner’s Lacrosse, also known as the Washington Inner City Lacrosse Foundation. The nonprofit organization strives not only to teach inner city kids about an exciting sport, but also to impress upon them the importance of hard work, integrity, teamwork, and moral values. Winner’s Lacrosse was launched in 2000 by Tom Mchugh and Bruce Baschauk and is run by Adora Curry.
Winner’s Lacrosse, being a nonprofit organization, is always in need of financial support. “I donate a portion of my salary to Winner’s Lacrosse; I feel it is a great opportunity for me to give back to the sport that has done so much for me,” said Cook. “It was natural to donate a portion of my game check each week to the program, since I am fortunate enough to earn a paycheck to play lacrosse.”
You probably had not heard of Christian Cook before reading this post. I know I hadn't, but I'm glad I have now.
Click here to read more about Cook and his efforts in the community.
That's just what Christian Cook, who plays for the Washington Bayhawks of Major League Lacrosse does.
From the MLL website:
Major League Lacrosse is unlike most professional sports organizations in that its athletes are made far more accessible to fans than in any other sport. League members also give a great deal of their time using lacrosse as a vehicle for community service. Christian Cook, defenseman for the Washington Bayhawks, is a great example of both of these values.
“I give my email to kids that have questions, and I make myself as available as possible,” he said. “I get a lot of questions from parents asking if I can help their child and I am glad to offer my time as often as possible. “Though Cook is a definite talent on the lacrosse field, something else makes him stand above the crowd. He realizes the vitality of community activism.
“I offer my time to anything I can in order to help promote lacrosse,” he said. “The US team holds clinics as well as Washington team clinics and camps. Whenever I have time, I enjoy helping out.”
Cook’s main focus in the community is Winner’s Lacrosse, also known as the Washington Inner City Lacrosse Foundation. The nonprofit organization strives not only to teach inner city kids about an exciting sport, but also to impress upon them the importance of hard work, integrity, teamwork, and moral values. Winner’s Lacrosse was launched in 2000 by Tom Mchugh and Bruce Baschauk and is run by Adora Curry.
Winner’s Lacrosse, being a nonprofit organization, is always in need of financial support. “I donate a portion of my salary to Winner’s Lacrosse; I feel it is a great opportunity for me to give back to the sport that has done so much for me,” said Cook. “It was natural to donate a portion of my game check each week to the program, since I am fortunate enough to earn a paycheck to play lacrosse.”
You probably had not heard of Christian Cook before reading this post. I know I hadn't, but I'm glad I have now.
Click here to read more about Cook and his efforts in the community.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Motivated to Overcome Near Tragedy
As college football camps open across the nation, there are plenty of stories about players coming back from serious injuries. Few if any of them, however, had further to come back than Abe Qaoud, a wide receiver from Northwest Missouri State.
From the NCAA's official website:
It’s been less than eight months since the wide receiver suffered third-degree burns on his legs in an apartment fire last January, and Qaoud has undergone a long, grueling recovery. In addition to the burns, which doctors performed six skin graft surgeries on, Qaoud also fractured an eye socket and some ribs after jumping three stories to safety.
Qaoud spent six weeks in the hospital and the main thing that kept him motivated was the goal of playing football again. With support from his coaches and teammates, and especially the school’s assistant athletic trainer Kelly Quinlin, he has been able to come back to the football field in only five months since being released from the hospital on March 9, much faster than the 18 month-long rehabilitation the doctors predicted.
The doctors would only release Qaoud from the hospital if he had appropriate care to attend to his wounds, and rather than send him to a nursing facility, Quinlin volunteered to have him live with her and her family.
“Kelly is an amazing person,” said Qaoud. “She basically put my on her shoulders, told me what to do, I did it and it all worked. I was put in the right position with the right people.”
Click here to read more about Qaoud's comeback and those who have helped him come so far so quickly.
From the NCAA's official website:
It’s been less than eight months since the wide receiver suffered third-degree burns on his legs in an apartment fire last January, and Qaoud has undergone a long, grueling recovery. In addition to the burns, which doctors performed six skin graft surgeries on, Qaoud also fractured an eye socket and some ribs after jumping three stories to safety.
Qaoud spent six weeks in the hospital and the main thing that kept him motivated was the goal of playing football again. With support from his coaches and teammates, and especially the school’s assistant athletic trainer Kelly Quinlin, he has been able to come back to the football field in only five months since being released from the hospital on March 9, much faster than the 18 month-long rehabilitation the doctors predicted.
The doctors would only release Qaoud from the hospital if he had appropriate care to attend to his wounds, and rather than send him to a nursing facility, Quinlin volunteered to have him live with her and her family.
“Kelly is an amazing person,” said Qaoud. “She basically put my on her shoulders, told me what to do, I did it and it all worked. I was put in the right position with the right people.”
Click here to read more about Qaoud's comeback and those who have helped him come so far so quickly.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
NBA Holding "Basketball Without Borders" in Brazil
The NBA is conducting the third annual "Basketball Without Borders" event in Sao Paulo, Brazil this week. Here are some highlights so far:
Day 2: ...more than 60 Special Olympics athletes visited the BWB Americas headquarters at Esporte Clube Pinheiros to tip-off the camp's community outreach. The clinic gave guest athletes the opportunity to work on their passing, shooting and rebounding skills alongside NBA stars. Kids were thrilled to share the court with some of the league's best, and left the gym with happy faces and unforgettable memories.
Day 3: NBA players and coaches continued their commitment to community outreach by participating in an NBA Cares Legacy Project, the league’s premiere outreach activity, where a state-of-art Learn & Play Center was dedicated at Coliseu Favela in Sao Paulo. In partnership with Nike, CUFA (Central Unica das Favelas) and Rede Jovem (Youth Net), the NBA donated two newly refurbished basketball courts and a multimedia room with 15 laptop computers donated by Lenovo.
As part of the NBA’s commitment to building long-term projects that help develop kids in underserved areas, the courts and multimedia room will be staffed by Rede Jovem with basketball coaches and tutors, respectively, for a full year following the dedication ceremony. To date, the NBA and its teams have created 185 places to live, learn and play globally, 45 of which are outside of the United States.
It's good to see that the NBA's global outreach goes beyond generating revenue for the league and also gives back to international communities.
Click on the NBA Global site to read more about this event.
Day 2: ...more than 60 Special Olympics athletes visited the BWB Americas headquarters at Esporte Clube Pinheiros to tip-off the camp's community outreach. The clinic gave guest athletes the opportunity to work on their passing, shooting and rebounding skills alongside NBA stars. Kids were thrilled to share the court with some of the league's best, and left the gym with happy faces and unforgettable memories.
Day 3: NBA players and coaches continued their commitment to community outreach by participating in an NBA Cares Legacy Project, the league’s premiere outreach activity, where a state-of-art Learn & Play Center was dedicated at Coliseu Favela in Sao Paulo. In partnership with Nike, CUFA (Central Unica das Favelas) and Rede Jovem (Youth Net), the NBA donated two newly refurbished basketball courts and a multimedia room with 15 laptop computers donated by Lenovo.
As part of the NBA’s commitment to building long-term projects that help develop kids in underserved areas, the courts and multimedia room will be staffed by Rede Jovem with basketball coaches and tutors, respectively, for a full year following the dedication ceremony. To date, the NBA and its teams have created 185 places to live, learn and play globally, 45 of which are outside of the United States.
It's good to see that the NBA's global outreach goes beyond generating revenue for the league and also gives back to international communities.
Click on the NBA Global site to read more about this event.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Hokies Step Toward Normalcy by Stepping on the Field
Virginia Tech football, no stranger to the media, will receive more attention than ever this season for all the wrong reasons. Everyone will want to see how the school recovers from the massacre last April, where a gunman's shooting spree killed 32 people.
Another step in that recovery began Thursday when football practice started. This from ESPN.com's Joe Schad:
"I think it's a relief," Virginia Tech quarterback Sean Glennon said. "We've been asked so many questions. There's been so much media attention. 'When are you going to get back out there?' Now it's good to have all these questions behind us. Just to be back out here and to be with my teammates. It feels good to be out here throwing the football around. I missed it."
There were many messages delivered by Coach Frank Beamer in a Wednesday evening team meeting. And in a group huddle on the practice field 15 minutes into Thursday's practice.
• Embrace and live up to high expectations.
• Play not just for yourself, but for others.
• Be leaders for the university.
• Be stronger than ever.
In the middle of the practice field, attached high on a coaching tower, hung a sign that read: "VT: Team United. Strength In Unity." Above that sign was a flag with the school-endorsed logo honoring the 32 people who lost their lives at the hands of an on-campus shooter.
"People look up to us and expect us to bring the university back together," backup quarterback Ike Whitaker said. "As a family we want to move forward but at the same time bring them with us."
Beamer does not want his players to forget those who died or were injured.
"All of us have to work hard to give this school, give this community, give the alumni something to be proud of," Beamer said. "And that means getting out here and getting a little bit better every day."
For players like Ike Whitaker, who has had some serious off the field issues, that message is very important. What Beamer told his team would be appropriate for any season, but it takes on extra meaning this year. Kudos to him for not avoiding the legacy of the tragedy but instead taking a straight forward approach to it.
I can't think of a better way he and his team could honor the memories of those whose lives were lost.
Click here to read the rest of Schad's article.
Another step in that recovery began Thursday when football practice started. This from ESPN.com's Joe Schad:
"I think it's a relief," Virginia Tech quarterback Sean Glennon said. "We've been asked so many questions. There's been so much media attention. 'When are you going to get back out there?' Now it's good to have all these questions behind us. Just to be back out here and to be with my teammates. It feels good to be out here throwing the football around. I missed it."
There were many messages delivered by Coach Frank Beamer in a Wednesday evening team meeting. And in a group huddle on the practice field 15 minutes into Thursday's practice.
• Embrace and live up to high expectations.
• Play not just for yourself, but for others.
• Be leaders for the university.
• Be stronger than ever.
In the middle of the practice field, attached high on a coaching tower, hung a sign that read: "VT: Team United. Strength In Unity." Above that sign was a flag with the school-endorsed logo honoring the 32 people who lost their lives at the hands of an on-campus shooter.
"People look up to us and expect us to bring the university back together," backup quarterback Ike Whitaker said. "As a family we want to move forward but at the same time bring them with us."
Beamer does not want his players to forget those who died or were injured.
"All of us have to work hard to give this school, give this community, give the alumni something to be proud of," Beamer said. "And that means getting out here and getting a little bit better every day."
For players like Ike Whitaker, who has had some serious off the field issues, that message is very important. What Beamer told his team would be appropriate for any season, but it takes on extra meaning this year. Kudos to him for not avoiding the legacy of the tragedy but instead taking a straight forward approach to it.
I can't think of a better way he and his team could honor the memories of those whose lives were lost.
Click here to read the rest of Schad's article.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
MLS Supports Right To Play
From the Major League Soccer official website:
Right To Play, a world leader in using sport for child development and peace, in partnership with MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer's first league-wide community outreach initiative, announced today at the 2007 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game that 20 MLS soccer stars from around the league have joined Right To Play as Athlete Ambassadors to raise awareness and funds to help children in the world's most disadvantaged places.
The announcement and official launch of the Right To Play/MLS W.O.R.K.S. partnership will take place at the 2007 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and Celtic FC at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. (Live on ESPN2 and Galavision, 9:00 p.m. ET).
The Los Angeles Galaxy's Cobi Jones and the New York Red Bulls' Claudio Reyna headline the list of MLS players who join an international team of athletes supporting Right To Play.
"As a professional athlete I know how important sport and play is growing up," said Jones. "I'm excited to get a chance to support Right To Play and its dedication to using sport and play to improve the lives of children globally."
Click here to read more about this MLS initiative.
You can also check out the Right to Play website.
Right To Play, a world leader in using sport for child development and peace, in partnership with MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer's first league-wide community outreach initiative, announced today at the 2007 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game that 20 MLS soccer stars from around the league have joined Right To Play as Athlete Ambassadors to raise awareness and funds to help children in the world's most disadvantaged places.
The announcement and official launch of the Right To Play/MLS W.O.R.K.S. partnership will take place at the 2007 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game between the MLS All-Stars and Celtic FC at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. (Live on ESPN2 and Galavision, 9:00 p.m. ET).
The Los Angeles Galaxy's Cobi Jones and the New York Red Bulls' Claudio Reyna headline the list of MLS players who join an international team of athletes supporting Right To Play.
"As a professional athlete I know how important sport and play is growing up," said Jones. "I'm excited to get a chance to support Right To Play and its dedication to using sport and play to improve the lives of children globally."
Click here to read more about this MLS initiative.
You can also check out the Right to Play website.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
NHL Stars Play for Charity in Sweeden
From NHL.com.
The professional hockey community always has been very active in charitable endeavors. Combine the opportunity to get together with old friends and teammates on the ice in exhibition games with the chance to raise money for worthy charities and you have Sweden’s Icebreakers team.
The brainchild of NHL superstars Peter Forsberg and Markus Naslund, the Icebreakers were founded in 2002. Through his participation in country music star Garth Brooks’ Teammates for Kids organization in the United States, Forsberg suggested forming a similar organization in Sweden, where such large-scale celebrity charities weren’t quite as common.
He and lifelong friend Näslund had little trouble recruiting a team of fellow Swedish NHL players and players from Elitserien (the Swedish Elite League). Forsberg and Näslund both hail from the small city of Örnsköldsvik, which lies in the Swedish län (extended county) of Västernorrland.
Through the establishment of an organization called Hockeyproffsens Stiftelse (The Hockey Pros’ Foundation), for which Forsberg provided the start-up funding, the Icebreakers raise money for children’s charities and hospitals throughout Västernorrland, which also includes the cities of Sundsvall, Timrå, Härnosand, Sollefteå, Kramfors and Ånge. A host of other Swedish NHLers also contributed their own money to the foundation and time to the Icebreakers.
“It feels unbelievably good and stimulating to work for this cause,” says Näslund. “It’s an incredible joy to experience the reaction and gratitude we get from the sick children.”
Click here to read more about the Icebreakers and the organizations they have helped.
The professional hockey community always has been very active in charitable endeavors. Combine the opportunity to get together with old friends and teammates on the ice in exhibition games with the chance to raise money for worthy charities and you have Sweden’s Icebreakers team.
The brainchild of NHL superstars Peter Forsberg and Markus Naslund, the Icebreakers were founded in 2002. Through his participation in country music star Garth Brooks’ Teammates for Kids organization in the United States, Forsberg suggested forming a similar organization in Sweden, where such large-scale celebrity charities weren’t quite as common.
He and lifelong friend Näslund had little trouble recruiting a team of fellow Swedish NHL players and players from Elitserien (the Swedish Elite League). Forsberg and Näslund both hail from the small city of Örnsköldsvik, which lies in the Swedish län (extended county) of Västernorrland.
Through the establishment of an organization called Hockeyproffsens Stiftelse (The Hockey Pros’ Foundation), for which Forsberg provided the start-up funding, the Icebreakers raise money for children’s charities and hospitals throughout Västernorrland, which also includes the cities of Sundsvall, Timrå, Härnosand, Sollefteå, Kramfors and Ånge. A host of other Swedish NHLers also contributed their own money to the foundation and time to the Icebreakers.
“It feels unbelievably good and stimulating to work for this cause,” says Näslund. “It’s an incredible joy to experience the reaction and gratitude we get from the sick children.”
Click here to read more about the Icebreakers and the organizations they have helped.
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