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SPORTS
FALL 2007
STUDENT PROFILE Ben Melnick, captain of the men’s soccer team, has made large strides towards victory for both his team and community. One of his most significant strides was when he and five friends from Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon organized a fundraiser for a friend who had been paralyzed from a diving accident; they raised $60,000. “We just wanted to help in any way we could. There was such a willingness from the community to help,” says Melnick. He sets high expectations for himself and his fellow players. The team hopes to be number one. “We are five points away from second place…it’s a very exciting time right now! As captain I have several goals for the team…Get more points than we did last year, get into the playoffs and win big,” says Melnick. “I’d really like to get there [first place] this year and we still have time to pull this off,” Melnick also participates in a variety of extracurricular volunteer activities. As a member of the Pucillo Posse, he supports the Marauder basketball team – even travelling to California University during the PSAC Championship last spring. How does Melnick stay so focused? “I eat five, maybe six meals, a day. I just buckle down and do work when I need to,” he replies. “The busier I am the more on point I am.” Melnick will graduate in May 2008 with a degree in speech communication.
Student athletes enjoy dinner and a movie Normally, they would be on different fields. However, for one night the athletes of the various Millersville University fall sports came together as one. On August 16, more than 200 athletes from the fall sports teams took a break from their rigorous training schedules to enjoy dinner together and a special showing by Regal Cinemas of the movie Invincible, based on the true story of Vince Papale, a 30-year-old bartender from South Philadelphia who overcame long odds to play for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles in 1976. “It was a good night overall,” said senior football player Eric Marshall. “It was good to get all the teams together as athletes and a school. It was a fun night.” “It was a nice break for all of us,” said senior women’s soccer player Madison Vogel. “We all got to share stories about how sore we all are!” This was the first time for an event of this type. It wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of Regal Cinemas, Cold Stone Creamery and ESPN Radio.
Volleyball team raises breast cancer awareness It’s not just about the game. The volleyball team is raising money to support breast cancer research through Susan G. Komen for the Cure. In recognition of breast cancer awareness month, the Lancaster Alumni Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha gave away free pink breast cancer awareness ribbons and self-exam cards at all home volleyball games in October.
The athletes agree that more events like this are needed. “We are pretty much separate throughout the day,” said junior women’s soccer player Jamie Lancaster. “I think the more events we do, the more united we would be.” “These events would allow us to continue to bond from team to team and be able to support each other,” said Marshall. “It’s also a great way for all the older students to bond with the freshmen.” Freshman football player Dan McClellan agrees with his teammate and feels welcomed by the event. “It makes us feel like a family,” he said. “In high school, all the sports were rivals. I think the more we meet other people who play sports, the more we will support one another.”
