Jarrod Irwin, 2013
Published on
The men’s and women’s lacrosse teams from Aquinas will face off in a benefit game
for cancer research at 6:00 pm on April 23. The event, called Lax for a Cure, will
raise money for the Van Andel Institute’s research on breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Admission to the game is free, but both teams have worked hard to make this a successful fundraiser. Both have approached area businesses, asking them to sponsor this cause. There will also be many raffles during halftime, and freewill donations will be taken.
Throughout the event, representatives of the Van Andel Institute, Capital Urological Associates, and the college’s Health & Wellness Department will provide information about breast and prostate cancer.
Kati Rogers, an Aquinas senior who has played lacrosse since middle school, said this cause resonates deeply with both the men’s and women’s teams. Several members of Aquinas’s lacrosse program have family members who have battled either prostate or breast cancer.
“We wanted to do a men’s versus women’s game,” Rogers said. Both teams saw this as an opportunity to support something greater, and cancer research was a natural choice. “We might as well make it worth something,” Rogers added. She took the idea to the manager of the college’s health services, Veronica Beitner, who suggested contacting the Van Andel Institute.
Lax for a Cure’s organizers hope to get the entire community involved. The teams have invited youth lacrosse programs from the area. The sponsors include AQ Campus Life and local businesses like Capital Urological Associates and Corporate Promotions LLC. Area high school students will volunteer alongside the college’s Student Athlete Advisory Board throughout the evening. The Van Andel Institute, located in Grand Rapids, was chosen as Lax for a Cure’s primary partner to emphasize this community focus.
Rogers said the Aquinas community is excited about the game, but also a little curious. “Most often we’ve been questioned about how the game will be played,” she said. The players will follow the rules of women’s lacrosse. Rogers explained one important difference: men have more protective gear, like helmets and shoulder pads, but women just have goggles and mouth guards. Men’s and women’s lacrosse sticks also differ. Rogers said that to level the playing field, the men will use the women’s sticks and vice versa.
Lax for a Cure will take place at Aquinas on Tuesday, April 23. At 5:00 pm, there will be a free tailgate on the Ryan Deck, behind the Cook Carriage House. Burgers, hot dogs and more will be served. The game begins at 6:00.
Admission to the game is free, but both teams have worked hard to make this a successful fundraiser. Both have approached area businesses, asking them to sponsor this cause. There will also be many raffles during halftime, and freewill donations will be taken.
Throughout the event, representatives of the Van Andel Institute, Capital Urological Associates, and the college’s Health & Wellness Department will provide information about breast and prostate cancer.
Kati Rogers, an Aquinas senior who has played lacrosse since middle school, said this cause resonates deeply with both the men’s and women’s teams. Several members of Aquinas’s lacrosse program have family members who have battled either prostate or breast cancer.
“We wanted to do a men’s versus women’s game,” Rogers said. Both teams saw this as an opportunity to support something greater, and cancer research was a natural choice. “We might as well make it worth something,” Rogers added. She took the idea to the manager of the college’s health services, Veronica Beitner, who suggested contacting the Van Andel Institute.
Lax for a Cure’s organizers hope to get the entire community involved. The teams have invited youth lacrosse programs from the area. The sponsors include AQ Campus Life and local businesses like Capital Urological Associates and Corporate Promotions LLC. Area high school students will volunteer alongside the college’s Student Athlete Advisory Board throughout the evening. The Van Andel Institute, located in Grand Rapids, was chosen as Lax for a Cure’s primary partner to emphasize this community focus.
Rogers said the Aquinas community is excited about the game, but also a little curious. “Most often we’ve been questioned about how the game will be played,” she said. The players will follow the rules of women’s lacrosse. Rogers explained one important difference: men have more protective gear, like helmets and shoulder pads, but women just have goggles and mouth guards. Men’s and women’s lacrosse sticks also differ. Rogers said that to level the playing field, the men will use the women’s sticks and vice versa.
Lax for a Cure will take place at Aquinas on Tuesday, April 23. At 5:00 pm, there will be a free tailgate on the Ryan Deck, behind the Cook Carriage House. Burgers, hot dogs and more will be served. The game begins at 6:00.