FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16,2020
Media Alert
Overtime; #1 Ranked Boys and Girls HEAD Coaches Posner & Cummings Leading Charge ForHigh School #LastShift2020 Virtual 5K Challenge
What: Inspired by the overwhelming success and viral social media campaign surrounding #LastShift2020, #1nationally ranked Culver Academy boy’s lacrosse coach Jon Posner and #1 nationally ranked McDonoghSchool girl’s lacrosse coach Taylor Cummings are joining forces and empowering their colleagues as wellas high school athletes nationwide to join their teams at noon on Monday, April 27th, 2020 by participatingin a continuation of the #LastShift2020 Virtual 5K Challenge specifically for high school student-athletes.Why: “Given the range of cancellations, restrictions or suspensions to the spring athletic season we as coacheshave been working closely with our players through conferencing platforms. Our meetings are steeped inpositivity, encouragement and optimism. Naturally, our hearts are breaking for these players who havehad the rug ripped out from under them alongside the cancellation or changes to some major life eventsincluding the season, prom and commencement. When I learned about #LastShift2020, I immediatelyengaged our team and together we participated in the collegiate centered event raising more than $4,500in less than 24 hours. I ran the 5K with my team and witnessed how uplifting and positive the experiencewas for our players and was so inspired that I connected with the HEADstrong Foundation to see how wecould drive it at the highschool level. We’re going to do it again on April 27th and are challenging ourcolleagues and high school athletes across the country to go the distance with us. Let’s go!”, said JonPosner, Culver Academy Boys Prep Head CoachWhen: Student-Athletes can register NOW and on Monday, April 27th are being encouraged to represent theirprograms by wearing their official school jersey or team swag during the run. While many schools, parksand tracks are closed due to restrictions, participants should run through their neighborhoods, on theirtreadmills or can even jog in place. The key to this campaign is broadcasting your run via social mediaand uniting with fellow athletes across the country using #LastShift2020.There are 3 easy ways to support HEADstrong, so that they may strengthen their commitment to those athighest risk as they fight cancer:1. Register for $10 HERE2. Donate via Venmo @HEAD-STRONG3. Donate via www.HEADstrong.org/donateCampaign: The Last Shift Virtual 5K High School ChallengeOrganizers: Jon Posner and Taylor CummingsDate: Monday, April 27, 2020Time: 12:00PM EST (Corresponding Time Zone)Registration Link:pledge.headstrong.org/lastshift2020Donation: $10.00Social Handles:#LastShift2020 @HEADstrongFNDWhat If Our Season Is A Go:While there have been numerous states that have yet to officially cancel the spring athletic season,HEADstrong has provided (3) simple ways for teams to participate in the event that restrictions andsuspensions are lifted.1. Schedule your run on another date that is more fitting to availability.2. Run as a team during practice.3. Pledge your game if it falls on April 27th, as the average athlete runs 3.1 miles or the distance ofa 5K race during competition.Who: The reality is that for thousands of high school student-athletes, the difficult but necessary decision to haltthe spring season due to the global COVID-19 pandemic has been a crushing blow. The tough call tosuspend the school year has left many high school students in a fog. #LastShift2020 is a moment ofsolidarity in support of those who’ve had their season halted as well as an opportunity to give Seniors theability to have closure to their high school careers on their terms, while rallying in support of a charitablecause.“Overcoming obstacles, rising above adversity, facing life's challenges head-on and being a communitysteward are just a few traits that we as athletes possess and right now the competitors in all of us want tocompete in some way. #LastShift2020 gives us that chance. Our hearts are with the countless familieswho have been impacted by this global pandemic, especially those living with pre-existing conditions andat the highest risk of complications. Our athletes have been resilient, mature and are hopeful for brighterdays ahead. While so many things have been taken from them over the past month, we are strongertogether and as a Coach, I am so proud of our players and their willingness to use their platform to makea difference. We remain hopeful that we will get the chance to compete this year. Many of our playerswere inspired by the college effort on April 6th and they wanted to pick up the ball where their mentors leftoff. I am personally challenging all high school lacrosse programs on April 27th to go the distance forthose at the highest risk of COVID-19 due to their cancer,” said Taylor Cummings, McDonogh SchoolHead Girls Varsity Coach.For many Seniors, this season was the last hurrah, the culmination of their efforts and abilities, a shot atredemption and a chance to solidify their athletic legacies before college. For those who had hoped thisseason would be a storybook finish to their high school athletic careers, they’re now processing that theirnames will be part of an unexpected chapter in the high school sports history books and debatessurrounding what could have been will always be in question.“The recent health pandemic has only added a layer of complexity as our immunosuppressed patientpopulation is at critically high risk, simultaneously their necessary treatments including chemotherapy,proton radiation, bone marrow, stem cell transplantation and imperative scans are being postponed andbacklogged. Between oncology teams transitioning to emergency rooms to meet the influx of patients toexposure related issues resulting in quarantines, the next few months are going to be really difficult forthose in a preexisting fight and getting them the necessary treatments that they need. The economicclimate is also taking a major toll on our families as many are losing their employment as the result ofCOVID-19. We are standing by these families and proudly playing our position through the storm,” saidCheryl Colleluori, HEADstrong President and Nick’s Mom.ContactName: Jennifer HoffmanPhone: 610-461-5987 ext. 303Email: jhoffman@headstrong.org
For more information on the Last Shift Virtual 5K Challenge or the HEADstrong Foundation, please visitpledge.headstrong.org/lastshift2020###
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