Sat. April 16th
Hi! It’s Ali.
What a day today was!
Last night around 11, we started getting nervous. With the inclement weather expected, we were scrambling to figure out last minute details, most importantly – would we be able to get the event in? On our end, as the event planners/hosts that fear equated to stress (Of course, I know it’s a relative stress. Serious stress is what we lived from January 29 – July 14, 2007 and what too many families are feeling now). My parents and I gathered in the office at our house and began brainstorming our options. We checked every possible weather website we could think of – Weather.com was the most negative with over 70% chance of rain starting at noon, “Hurricane” Schwartz made us more optimistic expecting the rain to begin later in the day, and the list goes on.
For us, postponing the event would have been a hassle. The B+ College Classic t-shirts and programs were already made and ready to be sold at the event. The food suppliers would have to be notified in time, so they don’t make all of the subs, etc. with no one to eat them. B+ Heroes who were planning to go to the event would have to be notified. The referees would have to be notified. Somehow, we’d have to let the community know, since our ads in the local newspapers made many aware of the event.
While sitting in the office last night, the three of us talked about how much this event means to us. Truthfully, the money raised wasn’t much of a concern at this event. For us, this event was for Andrew and his friend Amy, who died tragically in a car accident last October. Both, Andrew and Amy, loved soccer. They were great players. This soccer tournament was created to honor their lives. That, and the fact that whatever money was raised would be fighting childhood cancer, which we all know desperately needs whatever money it can get, made us really want to keep the event scheduled as planned.
We woke up at 4:30 this morning to check the weather. The forecast had gotten a little better for us over night – good sign! With that news and the confirmation that the teams would still show up, we were off to set up the event!
Once at Kirkwood, we set up as quickly as possible. Teams began showing up! With each team that arrived, my dad thanked them for coming to our College Classic and explained to the players what our cause was about. Many of them get it, because many of them know Andrew.
The fact that several of the players on different teams know Andrew made the day particularly special. Andrew has friends on the UD Men’s soccer team and the Temple Men’s soccer team. He also has friends who will be playing for the Lafayette Men’s soccer team and the United States Naval Academy Men’s soccer team next year. For the coaches and players to be aware of Andrew was fantastic.
The length of the games was shortened, in hopes of getting all of the games in before the heavy rain. The rain was on and off for a while, then towards the end, the skies opened up. Everyone expected the rain so when it started, out came the umbrellas and rain gear. Fortunately, there were no injuries!
B+ Heroes Fiona, Aryn and Drew were able to make it to the College Classic and got to sit on the bench during the games. Fiona sat on the Villanova Women’s bench, Aryn sat on the Navy Women’s bench, and Drew sat on the Navy Men’s bench. All of the teams were great with the B+ Heroes. Some of the teams brought jerseys for the B+ Heroes, which was great!
I miss watching soccer so much. Almost every weekend, I’d be at Andrew’s soccer tournaments. There’s no place I would’ve rather been. One of my favorite memories is watching Andrew play with FC Delco on my 16th birthday. Watching soccer was our life and I loved every minute of it.
When Andrew passed away, my #1 fear was (and is) that he’d be forgotten. I couldn’t live with that. To see the teams out today, in the rain, playing for Andrew’s Foundation, meant the world to me. The UD Men, Lafayette Men, Monmouth Men, Temple Men, Maryland Women, Villanova Men and Women, and Naval Academy Men and Women, helped us keep Andrew’s memory alive today. For that, I am so grateful.
Thank you to our many volunteers, our generous sponsors, the B+ College Classic planning committee, Kirkwood Soccer Club for the use of their complex, Kevin Tresolini from The News Journal, the college teams and coaches for their participation and support.
Many, many thanks to my wonderful Dad for planning an event so important to our family. We all agreed that this event meant more to us than any other we’ve ever had. My heart broke when I went into the office last night and saw how sad he looked at the latest weather news and emails expressing concern from some coaches. Hearing him sadly say that “this event may be falling apart…” and coming up with things he should’ve done differently was so hard to hear. I know what a big deal this was to him simply for sentimental reasons. Dad, you did it. We can’t control the rain, but you made the best of it. We got all of the games in. We honored the special lives of Andrew and Amy. THANK YOU.
We came home from the College Classic and all fell asleep within an hour. What an exhausting couple of days, but so worth it!
Upcoming B+ Events:
Tomorrow (Sunday, April 17th) Casey, the sister of B+ Hero Joey, is hosting a bake sale with her friends from Kindergarten. Casey told her friends what she had seen her brother go through as he fought cancer, so these 6 year olds decided to have a bake sale! They are hoping to raise awareness and money to fight childhood cancer with B+! Join us from 10 – 2 at Green Ridge Fire House (500 W. Dutton Mill Rd. in Aston, PA). Thanks Casey!
Friday, April 22nd, the University of Delaware Women’s Lacrosse team is having “B+ Foundation Night” at their 7pm game against William & Mary. The team is asking for fans to bring gift cards (VISA, Exxon/Shell Gas, Wal-Mart, Target) for B+ to distribute to families in need. Thanks to co-captain Kalyn McDonough (Andrew’s and my cousin!) and the Women’s Lacrosse team for supporting B+!
Thursday, June 16th, the 5th Annual B+ 5K Run/Walk Fighting Childhood Cancer will take place at Salesianum School (1801 N. Broom St. in Wilmington, DE). Join/Create a Team at https://www.elleevance.com/BPos2011/EventLandingPage.aspx.
Thanks to the great B+ Nation for your continued support in the fight against childhood cancers. We, truly, couldn’t do this without you.
Proud to Be,
“Andrew’s Sister”/ Ali