Third Annual Lift for Life a First in Front of Fans

By Zach Francis



Syracuse, N.Y. - For the first time, fans were allowed inside Coyne Stadium to watch the Syracuse University football team in the third annual “Lift for Life” campaign raise money for anaplastic astrocytoma research, a rare form of brain cancer that affected former punter Rob Long.

Long, who is now cancer free, was able to attend this year’s event and said it was a special experience for him.

“It’s so humbling to know that all of this is happening in support of me,” he said. “I’m glad the fans were finally able to experience it with us this year.”

About 50 fans came to see the roster break up into eight teams competing in four events. The top four teams faced off in a tug of war before Team Trudo, led by senior center Rob Trudo, won bragging rights.

Sam Rodgers, a May 2015 graduate and former Orange long snapper was one of the founders of the Syracuse branch of Uplifting Athletes. After two years of logistical issues, Rodgers was glad to finally be able to hold the event in front of fans.

“It’s such a good feeling to be out here in front of the fans,” Rodgers said. “It took us two years to get recognized by the university as a student organization, so it was a lot of work to get out here today.”

Senior linebacker Hernz Laguerre said the atmosphere brought the fans in attendance closer to the team in a battle bigger than football.

“I think it was cool just to grow the bond with the fans because stuff like this helps them become more than fans, but family,” Laguerre said. “We’re on the same side on this cause. Everyone out here is beating cancer and we’re all gung-ho to do that.”

Saturday’s event helped the team reach this year’s fundraising goal of $10,000 and over the three years the Orange have participated, over $25,000 has been raised.