The Oswego State men’s lacrosse team wrapped up their fourth year supporting the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a charity aimed at finding a cure for childhood cancer. Since the annual event’s inception, the team had raised over $67,000. After setting a goal of $18,000 for this year’s event, the total for the 2010 campaign has reached an astonishing $27,174.00, with donations finally slowing down in the past few weeks.

Team members spent time during the winter gaining donations from friends, family, former high school classmates, and others who would help, promising to shave their heads in return for their financial support. Shaving their heads was a small sacrifice to honor those coping with cancer. It was also a public way to raise awareness; their bald heads served as constant reminders that people can do more to help others.

In addition to every member of the Oswego State lacrosse team participating, six Oswego Minor Hockey players, ranging in age from six to 17, collected more than $8,000 among them.

"Those six hockey players made a big difference," said event coordinator Dan Witmer, head coach of the men’s lacrosse team. "Two of them, Carson Colucci and Joseph DiBlasi, each raised more than $2,000. If this ever really catches on, it will be through the community and other campus organizations chipping in and helping the team in our efforts."

Many sponsors made the 2010 event a special one for Lakers. Local businesses contributed in various ways. Door prizes came from Greene’s Ale House, the Oswego Sub Shop, Canale’s Restaurant and Cam’s Pizzeria. A $1,500 donation came from Enterprise Car Rentals. Barbers from Sharon’s Hair Gallery, Joe’s Barber Shop and Doug’s Barber Shop volunteered their time and talents in shaving more than 70 participants.

InsideLacrosse.com ran a great online article, while The Palladium-Times provided event coverage before and after the event.

"I’d like to thank everyone for their help," Witmer said. "In addition to the sponsors, we had great help from Dom and Sandy Pike, Kate Colucci, and our three team captains – Dan Scarazzo, Dan Wilcox, and Judd Robinson. The people at the Campus Center were very helpful, too."

This year’s event was held in the Campus Center on Wednesday, March 3, as the new venue allowed for plenty of spectators, friends, and family members to catch the head-shaving on film.

-Information provided by Oswego State men’s lacrosse coach Dan Witmer.