Men’s Lacrosse Team Digs Helping Others

The Volleyball-a-Thon has raised a total of more than $40,000 for the Red Cross

November 1, 2011

The Dickinson College men's lacrosse team before the start of the 6th annual Volleyball-a-Thon.

For six years straight, the Dickinson College men’s lacrosse team has held its annual Volleyball-a-Thon fundraiser to benefit the American Red Cross. This year was no different as all 52 Red Devil players stormed the lower quads and took up positions at the outdoor sand volleyball court at noon on Oct. 22 and played nonstop until noon on Oct. 23.

More than 70 other Dickinson students joined in to help sustain the team’s 24-hour marathon of volleys, bumps, spikes and digs. Even more students—at least 300—contributed to the cause and enabled the men’s lacrosse team to raise $6,500 for the American Red Cross of Cumberland Valley. Since the team first began hosting its annual Volleyball-a-Thon it has collected more than $40,000 for the local chapter of the American Red Cross.

“I told them on Saturday that their efforts will help save a life,” said Thomas Reardon, chapter executive, American Red Cross of Cumberland Valley. “I continue to be awestruck by their commitment to their community and I am grateful for their hard work and great spirit.”

Led by Head Coach Dave Webster ’88, men’s lacrosse has been putting a lot of muscle and heart into their off-field efforts. The Red Devils work on the Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail; helped to build houses with Habitat for Humanity in West Virginia; worked on a Native American reservation in New Mexico; and assisted with Hurricane Katrina relief in New Orleans.   

“I believe that part of being a good leader of young men involves showing them how to give back to the community,” said Webster, a two-time Centennial Conference Coach of the Year.  And under Webster’s guidance, the men’s team has learned how to win on the lacrosse field—and in life.

Read  more about the community service efforts of the men’s lacrosse team.