Volleyball News Releases
Rams cover 237 miles, raise over $7,000 in Relay for Life
MOUNT VERNON - Cornell College's Relay for Life was a big hit for the Rams' volleyball team, which showed its support during the annual event May 15-16 in the arena of the Small Multi-Sport Center.
Head coach Jeff Meeker's squad, The Million Ram March, was first among the college's 42 participating teams in raising $7,708.94 for the American Cancer Society. The Cornell Relay for Life, which included 359 participants, brought in over $61,000 in funds to help combat cancer.
"Watching your team win volleyball matches is exciting, but seeing your team dedicate themselves to such an important cause and make a positive impact in the lives of those who were inspired by our effort is hard to describe," Meeker said.
Meeker's team had a goal to raise one million pennies and run/walk one million feet at the overnight event, which began at 8 p.m. May 15 and wrapped up around 8 a.m. May 16. The Million Ram March made up for the pennies short of their one million goal with feet over a million. In total, the team covered 1.25 million feet - or 237 miles - in 12 hours.
Filling his part of the team goal, Meeker ran 250,000 feet - the equivalent of 47.3 miles or nearly two marathons - and raised 250,000 pennies. Meeker was honored as Most Dedicated Relay Participant at this year's Relay. Assistant volleyball coach Katie Green logged 21 miles while the players on the team covered the remaining 169 miles.
"This year our Relay for Life team showed that teams can overcome the greatest challenges through persistence and dedication," said Cornell junior defensive specialist Rachel Spriggs. "I was amazed at the initiative I saw my teammates take to not only raise money in creative ways, but also to make sure we completed our 1.25 million feet by morning at the Relay. I am really proud of how we came together and worked to make a difference in our community and in the search for a cure for cancer."
The volleyball team collected donations from family and friends, raised money from t-shirt sales from the Mary K. Meeker Highway One Challenge volleyball tournament, held a can and change drive in the Mount Vernon community and included money raised ($441.24) from the Mini-Relay for Life. The Mary K. Meeker Highway One Challenge donated an additional $1,200 - $5 per team entered - to the Cornell Relay for Life.
"The Relay for Life event holds a special meaning for me and my family as my mother Mary was diagnosed with cancer on the afternoon of the 2006 Relay," Coach Meeker said. "Despite the devastating news, she proudly walked as a 30-year breast cancer survivor that evening. It was the weekend of the 2007 Relay that her health began to decline and she passed away that August."
As a prelude to Cornell's Relay for Life, the volleyball team helped sponsor and organize a Mini-Relay for Life May 1 at the Mount Vernon Elementary School. Each day during the week leading up to the inaugural event, Cornell volleyball players went into every classroom in grades K-4 and taught the students about cancer prevention through fun activities.
"The event was a huge success as over 40 Cornell student-athletes and students volunteered to help the nearly 500 elementary students have an incredible afternoon," Meeker said. "The track was lined with luminary bags that the students created. The event concluded with a balloon release to celebrate those who have beaten cancer, remember those who lost their battle, and honor those currently fighting back."
Meeker's volleyball team won Cornell's Outstanding Service Program award for their efforts. The event was co-chaired by juniors Laura Dudgeon and Laura Welch.
"While organizing this new event was challenging, celebrating life and the fight against cancer with 500 students was extremely gratifying and made all of the hard work worthwhile," Dudgeon said. "We were able to raise money and awareness about cancer prevention and had a great time with the elementary students."
