MARAUDERS Make-A-Wish

THE MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS’ STUDENT ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

HOSTED A MAKE-A-WISH REVEAL FOR 8-YEAR-OLD OLIVIA NEUPAUER

DURING THE MILLERSVILLE METRICS TRACK AND FIELD EVENT ON APRIL 1.

Standing behind Biemesderfer Stadium and holding the hand of her father, Millersville alum and former football standout ANDY NEUPAUER ’05, 8-year-old Olivia had no idea what she was about to experience. Olivia had spent her childhood battling focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a rare kidney disease. She was on Millersville University’s campus for her Make-AWish® reveal, which was to be unveiled by Millersville student-athletes at the April 1 Millersville Metrics track and field event.

As Olivia and her family turned the corner and began their climb up the stairs to Chryst Field, they were greeted by a tunnel of 400 cheering and clapping Millersville student-athletes, a site that brought tears to the eyes of not just family members, but student-athletes as well. Once on the field, student-athletes presented Olivia with gifts that she could use on her upcoming, oncein-a-lifetime trip. In unison, the Marauders shouted, “You are going to Disney World,” making Olivia’s wish a reality.

Millersville Athletics had earned the opportunity to host the Make-A-Wish® reveal after the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) raised $5,000 for the organization in 2022. Olivia’s big day marked the fifth time that Millersville Athletics has partnered with Make-A-Wish® for a wish reveal as part of an athletic event on campus.

“Being a part of a wish reveal is a privilege for our department,” said Millersville director of athletics Miles Gallagher. “To see how children like Olivia and the families have persevered through hardships is a great lesson for our student-athletes, and we are thankful that we can play a small part in the fulfillment of a wish. These are truly magical events.”

“I think about myself at that age and [the student-athletes] could have been anywhere on a Saturday afternoon, but they did that for us, and that was just so special,” said

Olivia’s mother, Eftihia Neupauer, to Fox 43’s Andrew Kalista in an interview following the event.

Among those most touched during the wish reveal was baseball player John Seibert, who was a Make-A-Wish® child himself after defeating leukemia as a child. His granted wish was also a trip to Disney World, and seeing Olivia’s smile reminded him of cherished childhood memories and overcoming a life-threatening disease.

“It took me back to that moment with my family, having an experience to look forward to after all that they had been through from diagnosis and through the chemotherapy. Having that wish really does make a difference for kids battling serious illnesses.”

Olivia’s passions include games, arts and crafts, so Millersville Athletics partnered with the University’s Interactive Design Club to provide Olivia, her three sisters and brother with special activities prior to the wish reveal. Several Millersville athletes also played games with the children.

“I couldn’t be prouder of my alma mater,” said Andy. “It was incredible just to see how selfless they were with their time.” 