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The Katie Samson Lax Fest IV April 17
(rain or shine) will feature 32 of the premier local high
school boys' and girls' varsity lacrosse teams.
March 26, 2004
Main Line Times
radnor - After Katie Samson's paralyzing sledding accident
in January of 2000, the lacrosse community was galvanized
to create a fundraising event that would generate awareness
of the devastating consequences of spinal cord injuries.
Little did the volunteers realize then that through their
grass roots efforts they would be establishing a marquee
lacrosse event that would raise over $250,000 to date
for medical research and patient care.
Top teams to play
The Katie Samson Lax Fest IV April 17 (rain or shine)
will feature 32 of the premier high school boys' and girls'
varsity lacrosse teams in the region.
Haverford College will host the girls' games, while the
Haverford School will again host the boys' games. The
unique format remains the same, public vs. private schools.
A $5 admission contribution will be requested; kids under
12 may enter free. Parking is free. Tax-deductible donations
may be made by check to the Katie Samson Foundation and
mailed to Katie Samson Foundation, 522 Brookside Ave.,
St. Davids, PA 19087.
Games will be held as follows:
Girls - 9 a.m., Lower Merion vs. Notre Dame; 9:30 a.m.,
Upper Darby vs. Shipley; 11 a.m., Strath Haven vs. Agnes
Irwin; 11:30 a.m., Marple Newtown vs. Baldwin; 1 p.m.,
Radnor vs. Springside; 1:30 p.m., Conestoga vs. Episcopal
Academy; 3 p.m., Ridley vs. Penn Charter; 3:30 p.m., Springfield
vs. Germantown Academy.
Boys - 9 a.m., Strath Haven vs. Penn Charter; 9:30 a.m.,
Marple Newtown vs. LaSalle; 11 a.m., Radnor vs. St. Joe's
Prep; 11:30 a.m., Conestoga vs. Episcopal Academy; 1 p.m.,
Springfield vs. Haverford School; 1:30 p.m., Lower Merion
vs. Hill School; 3 p.m., Ridley v. St. Paul's School;
3:30 p.m., Penncrest vs. Malvern Prep.
The Philadelphia Wings will be there (if their playoff
schedule permits) to sign autographs and set up a lax
fun-zone, while their mascot, Mad Dog, will be there to
meet and greet all the lax fans.
Competitive Edge of Wayne will be there with lacrosse
clothing and equipment. Many prizes will be raffled; food
vendors will be serving all day; and lacrosse camp sign-ups
will be available.
Samson will be there to support the event and speak briefly
at both sites.
It is estimated that last years' KS Lax Fest III played
host to more than 3,000 attendees, which figures to be
closer to 5,000 this year with the addition of the 16
girls' teams. Corporate Sponsorships are still available
at various price levels; interested parties may contact
Nicole Pisani for more information at 610-527-5266.
All proceeds from the Katie Samson Lax Fest IV are directed
to the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation supporting
spinal cord injury research, and the National Transplant
Assistance Fund, which supports the care of those with
spinal cord injuries like Samson's.
Reeve supports
Reeve said, "The Katie Samson Lacrosse Festival is
a unique fundraiser, one that brings a generous community
together to rally for an important cause. The support
of everyone involved with the Katie Samson Lacrosse Festival
is inspiring to people all over the country. I am truly
touched by the Festival's commitment to further the mission
of CRPF and the field of spinal cord injury research."
Since her accident and subsequent rehabiliation, Samson
has carried the Olympic Torch on its way to Salt Lake
City; skied down a mountain as part of the graduation
ritual at Middlebury College; interned at the Philadelphia
Art Museum; lectured about overcoming adversity; and taught
leadership skills. She is currently working at the Rosenbach
Museum, planning to go to graduate school, and coach lacrosse.
For more information on the Samson Lax Fest, call Murray
Grossman at 610-688-1606.
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