HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Fourth Annual Joe Schwartz '83 Memorial 3K
Run/Walk went off without a hitch Sunday afternoon on the campus of
Haverford College, and the 2011 event saw increases in both
participation and donations.
Spearheaded by GIAC Fitness Center Director Cory Walts, the 2011
event brought in nearly 200 participants who raised $3,075 that
will be donated to the ALS Foundation to benefit ALS research.
The 3-kilometer run's women's division title was captured by
Aileen Keogh '10. Joe Pawlish, racing in the 30-39 age group, won
the overall men's crown.
Walts instituted a Fitness Challenge for faculty and staff
during the eight weeks leading up to the race/walk. Challenge
participants received points for their exercise sessions, fitness
class attendance and 3K participation. Jill Miller, from the
College's Institutional Advancement office, accumulated the most
points to win the individual challenge and nine of her office mates
teamed with her to win the group title.
With this year's totals, the Schwartz memorial event has
attracted nearly 600 participants and raised roughly $14,500 in
proceeds over its four year existence.
Joe Schwartz graduated from Haverford College in 1983. He was a
committed member of Haverford?s cross country and track teams for
the four years he attended Haverford, and he excelled in both
sports. He encouraged those who won Middle Atlantic Conference
championships, as well as students who were casual participants, to
be part of something bigger than themselves. From the moment he
stepped on the Haverford campus, Joe was integral in building a
proud tradition of athletic excellence at this school.
In 1995, Joe contracted Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at
the age of 34. He first noticed the symptoms when he was out
training for road races. He courageously endured the hardships
imposed by this cruel disease for thirteen years until his
unfortunate death on Mar. 2, 2008. Joe left behind two young sons,
both of whom are avid runners themselves, one even a member of
Haverford?s team.
Joe was the epitome of what a coach wishes for in a
student-athlete, said head cross country and track & field head
coach Tom Donnelly. He was enthusiastic, supported his teammates
and loved his sport and school. Someone like Joe comes along once
in a lifetime.
The Joe Schwartz '83 Memorial 3K Run/Walk is designed to attract
the running superstar and the walking novice because that is
exactly how Joe would want it. He simply loved people lacing up
their shoes and enjoying the freedom to run and walk, a freedom
that was deprived from Joe by ALS. Proceeds from the event will be
donated to the ALS Association and directed towards ALS research.
The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization
dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. The cause, cure and
means of control of ALS are unknown. Symptoms of ALS, also known as
Lou Gehrig's disease, include the wasting and paralysis of the
muscles of the limbs and trunk as well as those that control vital
functions such as speech, swallowing and respiration.
