Sept. 29, 2015

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame Athletics Department has participated in many charitable events in recent years. Most recently, the Fighting Irish men’s and women’s swimming team have joined forces with nine other teams across the United States to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and research throughout the month of October by participating in the Breast Cancer Awareness POD Meet. The challenge is the first of its kind, and was initiated by Duke assistant swimming coach Jesse Moore.

“When approached about our interest in this meet, it was a no brainer,” says men’s head coach Matt Tallman. “I am excited about getting a packed house for our meet, and doing it for such a fantastic cause. Cancer has hit home for me recently, and it is never fun for anyone to deal with. If the results of the `competition’ can help even one person just a little, it’s worth it to participate.”

The terms of the challenge dictate that each school must donate $1,000 ($500 for each individual men’s and women’s team) to a communal pot, totaling $10,000. Each team participating will charge $5 admission to their meet of choice, and sell $15 t-shirts at the meet. The team that raises the most money through these sales wins the $10,000 to donate to a charity of their choice. The Irish have chosen to partner with River Bend Cancer Services, with their meet on Oct. 30 against Michigan State serving as the fundraiser.

“Our team is ready to take on this challenge, and continue to promote breast cancer awareness,” says women’s head coach Mike Litzinger. “Everyone has been affected in some form by this disease, and an opportunity to fight breast cancer through the promotion of our sport during the month of October is a perfect opportunity.”

We are very excited about the work Jesse Moore at Duke has done to get this concept off the ground. Collegiate Swimming and Diving has an impact far beyond the pool and we take a lot of pride in the significant investment in community service and community engagement made by our coaches and athletes,” says Joel Shinofield of the College Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA). “Unfortunately almost all of us have a connection to cancer, either personally or in our family, so fighting this disease resonates. We are thrilled that many of the teams are donating to local cancer research and treatment centers.”

The other schools participating include Boston College, Duke, Florida State, Kansas, Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCLA at Utah. The teams will hold their awareness meet at their respective home pools during the month of October. A listing of the meets and organizations each team will fundraise for can be found below, with information updated as it becomes available.

School Date of Meet Charitable Partner

Boston College TBD TBD

Tennessee TBD TBD

UCLA TBD TBD

Utah TBD TBD

Duke Oct. 3 v. Pittsburgh Duke Cancer Institute

Florida State Oct. 3 v. Minnesota Sharon Ewing Walker Breast
Health Center, Tallahassee

Kansas Oct. 23-24 v. Denver & Missouri State KU Cancer Center

Notre Dame Oct. 30 v. Michigan State River Bend Cancer Services

Ohio State Oct. 30 v. Kenyon Bauer Fund

Texas A&M Oct. 30 v. Incarnate Word Pink Alliance

— Lizzie Mikes, Media Services Coordinator