BURLINGTON, Vt. - The second annual Catamount Classic - Lacrosse for a Cure held at Thayer Academy in Braintree, Mass., on Oct. 11 raised nearly $40,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. More than 3,000 fans attended the 11-team tournament that included Adelphi, Albany, Bentley, Colgate, Holy Cross, Le Moyne, Massachusetts, Robert Morris, Siena, Western New England and Vermont.

The Catamount Classic is also providing the Vermont Cancer Center and The Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber with signed event t-shirts and four Maverik lacrosse sticks as gifts for their pediatric patients.

A lengthy list of sponsors and vendors included Adrenaline Lacrosse, The New England Lacrosse Journal, US Lacrosse, the Boston Cannons, The Boston Blazers, Atlantic Sportswear, Brine, Warrior Lacrosse, Maverik Lacrosse, STX, GB Web Creations, Tennessee's Real BBQ and more. Many of the vendors have also sponsored the event. Other sponsors include Thayer Academy, Direct Invest, U Rent It, The UPS Store - Burlington, VT, TD Bank - South Burlington, The Hampton Inn, Sheraton Hotels, Fallon Ambulance, SportSprite.com, Powerade, Squirrelcat Design Face Painting, US Lacrosse, America East and Vocalist Wise Rokobili. In addition, several University of Vermont students and staff served as volunteers.

In 2007, a member of the UVM men's lacrosse team was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The player had surgery, chemotherapy and radiation and was able to start for the lacrosse team that spring. Although he was treated in Vermont, the player followed a treatment plan from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and with incredible strength and determination is in full remission. After seeing how this disease can affect someone and those who care about them, the University of Vermont Men's Lacrosse Team was determined to help educate other student athletes about this disease.

University of Vermont head men's lacrosse coach Ryan Curtis and his wife Kelly started the Catamount Classic - Lacrosse For A Cure in 2008. Ryan and Kelly previously lived in Boston, Massachusetts, before moving to Vermont. While living in Boston, Kelly worked at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Genitourinary Oncology. She has planned, and has attended, numerous cancer walks and events. Together with the help of the men's lacrosse team they found a way to raise awareness for testicular cancer while creating the premiere fall lacrosse event for New England college lacrosse fans and teams.

2009-10-15