LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Bellarmine University lacrosse team will host a charity duel between the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Donate Life during its fall season, head coach Andrew Whitley announced today.
 
Funds will be raised with the sale of Bellarmine lacrosse T-shirts co-branded with one of the charities at the team's falls scrimmages at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium on October 5 and 26.
 
"This is an exciting way of supporting two worthy causes," said Whitley. "It allows the competitive nature of our players to embrace the mission of two tremendous organizations. At the end of the day, both organizations will reap the benefit of our players' efforts. This allows us to have a longer-term connection with each organization and for our program to become engaged meaningfully with each charity over the course of the year. It's a unique model of support and our players are excited about the potential ahead of us!"
 
To start the process, the Knights will first split into two squads, Team NBCF and Team Donate Life, for an intrasquad scrimmage at Frazier on Saturday, September 27 at noon ET.  As part of Bellarmine's Family Weekend, T-shirts for both charities will be available for purchase for $30 at the game. The winner of the scrimmage will then select at which fall scrimmage they would like their charity's T-shirts to be sold.
 
One charity's shirts will be sold at the Knights' scrimmage against Indianapolis on Saturday, October 5 while the other's will be sold at the scrimmage against Maryville on Saturday, October 26. Opening faceoff is scheduled for noon ET against Indianapolis and 11 a.m. ET against Maryville.
 
Spearheading operations for each charity is a pair of Knights seniors.
 
"I advocate for breast cancer research to honor the incredible women who've shaped my life with their strength and love," said defender Nick Ferge, who is leading efforts for the NBCF. "Supporting research means investing in hope, equity and a future where no woman faces this disease alone."
 
"I chose Donate Life because it is something that hits home for me," said goalie Grant Crossley. "Back In 2020, I lost one of my closest friends, who was an organ donor, which, in my eyes, is what a hero looks like. I have met some of the people who have a part of him and it is truly amazing."
 
"Each year, his family does a lacrosse game with our local high schools in New York with Donate Life, who helps people get organs that they need through organ donation. I am fortunate enough to be able to bring that to Bellarmine and work the with Kentucky chapter of Donate Life!" Crossley concluded.
 
The Knights have raised $9,400 for the NBCF already during Whitley's tenure. This duel, however, will mark their first time partnering with Donate Life.
 
Final sales for each charity will occur at Bellarmine's regular-season home opener at noon ET on Saturday, February 14 against Cleveland State.
 
As an additional gift to the charity who sells the most T-shirts, the Knights will add $500 to their total.
 
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