University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Photo by: UNC Asheville
Take A Little Off the Top: Baseball Shaves Heads and Raises Donations for Vs. Cancer Foundation
03.30.2017 | Baseball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Win the game, lose the hair. That was the recipe for success Wednesday night as the UNC Asheville baseball team worked to raise donations for a special cause in an attempt to capture a bigger victory than the 5-3 win over Western Carolina at McCormick Field.
The Bulldogs held their annual Vs. Cancer Game Wednesday evening at the historic baseball venue located in downtown Asheville. It was the fifth year of the event and it was possibly the biggest one yet.
"What a great event this was and what a great cause that we're able to be a part of," head baseball coach Scott Friedholm said. "Any time we can give back to the community, especially with half of the proceeds going to Mission Children's Hospital and the Pediatric Cancer Center there, it's a great opportunity for our guys and our program. Our guys did a great job of raising over $8,600 thus far, and hopefully it will continue to grow throughout the season. We really would like for this event to continue to be a staple in our program and each year we would like to be able to drive up what our goal is fundraising-wise."
Over the previous four years, UNC Asheville baseball has raised close to $24,000. As of Wednesday night, the Bulldogs had collected over $8,600 in 2017 alone, with hopes to add to that total throughout the rest of the season. The over $8,600 raised has UNC Asheville currently third in the nation amongst baseball programs that are raising money for the worthy cause of battling childhood cancer.
The money raised will be donated to the Vs. Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Raleigh. The foundation, which operates on a 50/50 model of giving, raises funds for childhood cancer research as well as helps children live more comfortably during treatments at local children's hospitals. Vs. Cancer gives half of the proceeds raised to pediatric brain tumor research and the other half goes back to a local hospital in the community where the money was raised. For UNC Asheville, that is Mission Children's Hospital.
Vs. Cancer was founded by Chase Thomas, a former UNC baseball player who was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer in 2006 while he was a freshman on the baseball team in Chapel Hill. Thomas's Tar Heel teammates shaved their heads to show their support and solidarity for him, and thus a tradition was born.
Following Wednesday's game, the entire coaching staff and team gathered in front of the first base dugout and allowed barbers from Great Clips to shave their heads. Senior outfielder/pitcher Justin Woods hadn't cut his hair since the same event last year but smiled the entire time as the locks were sheered from his head for a more stream-lined look.
"The scary part is they all look alike now," Friedholm mused. "It's funny, I was talking to Johnathan Johnston saying it's like Plebe Summer at the Naval Academy where all thousand look alike and out here all 26 guys look alike now. Some of them definitely benefited from the haircuts. That little act of shaving our heads is a small tribute to all cancer survivors. Every single person on this team has been touched in some way by the effects of that disease whether it be a parent, sibling, cousin, grandparent or friend and because of that connection, it's easy for us to be willing to show this support in this way."
For some members of the team, including sophomore catcher Andrew Friedholm, senior outfielder Kyle Carruthers and freshman infielder Chris Troost, having their heads shaved carries a deeper meaning. Friedholm's grandmother, Carruthers's mother and grandmother and Troost's cousin have all battled cancer, so the show of support and solidarity runs a little deeper and hits a little closer to home for them.
"My grandmother had her battle before I was born, but it means a lot to be able to do this (shave his head) because I was with my mom, supporting her through all of her struggles," Carruthers said. "Being a part of something like what happened to my mom, I never thought it would happen to me. But seeing how my mom fought through it all and stayed strong through everything has helped me a lot. So, shaving my head for a good cause like this one really hits home. I think this is the first time since I've been here that we've won this game, so it's pretty cool to be able to not only show our support but also win the game in front of our family, friends and fans."
Troost's cousin, Ryan Venazio, was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer, at 18 months old and went through extensive chemotherapy and surgeries. Now 15 years old, Venazio is cancer free and rode up from Myrtle Beach with his family to watch his cousin take part in the memorable event.
"It means a lot because Ryan went through a lot when he was only 18 months old, more than probably anybody on this team could image," Troost said. "It's just really special for me, my family and his family. And it meant a lot to have him there in the stands, it was really emotional on a night like that, but it was special."
In the past four years, because of the efforts of UNC Asheville baseball, Vs. Cancer has been able to assist Mission with purchasing iPads and laptops for patients to use to keep up with homework during treatment as well as help with building a teen room to serve the older group of patients that are going through cancer treatment at an especially difficult age.
Even though the event was Wednesday evening, the Bulldogs will continue to raise funds throughout the season. Donations can be made via this link: HERE.
The Bulldogs held their annual Vs. Cancer Game Wednesday evening at the historic baseball venue located in downtown Asheville. It was the fifth year of the event and it was possibly the biggest one yet.
"What a great event this was and what a great cause that we're able to be a part of," head baseball coach Scott Friedholm said. "Any time we can give back to the community, especially with half of the proceeds going to Mission Children's Hospital and the Pediatric Cancer Center there, it's a great opportunity for our guys and our program. Our guys did a great job of raising over $8,600 thus far, and hopefully it will continue to grow throughout the season. We really would like for this event to continue to be a staple in our program and each year we would like to be able to drive up what our goal is fundraising-wise."
Over the previous four years, UNC Asheville baseball has raised close to $24,000. As of Wednesday night, the Bulldogs had collected over $8,600 in 2017 alone, with hopes to add to that total throughout the rest of the season. The over $8,600 raised has UNC Asheville currently third in the nation amongst baseball programs that are raising money for the worthy cause of battling childhood cancer.
The money raised will be donated to the Vs. Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Raleigh. The foundation, which operates on a 50/50 model of giving, raises funds for childhood cancer research as well as helps children live more comfortably during treatments at local children's hospitals. Vs. Cancer gives half of the proceeds raised to pediatric brain tumor research and the other half goes back to a local hospital in the community where the money was raised. For UNC Asheville, that is Mission Children's Hospital.
Vs. Cancer was founded by Chase Thomas, a former UNC baseball player who was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer in 2006 while he was a freshman on the baseball team in Chapel Hill. Thomas's Tar Heel teammates shaved their heads to show their support and solidarity for him, and thus a tradition was born.
Following Wednesday's game, the entire coaching staff and team gathered in front of the first base dugout and allowed barbers from Great Clips to shave their heads. Senior outfielder/pitcher Justin Woods hadn't cut his hair since the same event last year but smiled the entire time as the locks were sheered from his head for a more stream-lined look.
"The scary part is they all look alike now," Friedholm mused. "It's funny, I was talking to Johnathan Johnston saying it's like Plebe Summer at the Naval Academy where all thousand look alike and out here all 26 guys look alike now. Some of them definitely benefited from the haircuts. That little act of shaving our heads is a small tribute to all cancer survivors. Every single person on this team has been touched in some way by the effects of that disease whether it be a parent, sibling, cousin, grandparent or friend and because of that connection, it's easy for us to be willing to show this support in this way."
For some members of the team, including sophomore catcher Andrew Friedholm, senior outfielder Kyle Carruthers and freshman infielder Chris Troost, having their heads shaved carries a deeper meaning. Friedholm's grandmother, Carruthers's mother and grandmother and Troost's cousin have all battled cancer, so the show of support and solidarity runs a little deeper and hits a little closer to home for them.
"My grandmother had her battle before I was born, but it means a lot to be able to do this (shave his head) because I was with my mom, supporting her through all of her struggles," Carruthers said. "Being a part of something like what happened to my mom, I never thought it would happen to me. But seeing how my mom fought through it all and stayed strong through everything has helped me a lot. So, shaving my head for a good cause like this one really hits home. I think this is the first time since I've been here that we've won this game, so it's pretty cool to be able to not only show our support but also win the game in front of our family, friends and fans."
Troost's cousin, Ryan Venazio, was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer, at 18 months old and went through extensive chemotherapy and surgeries. Now 15 years old, Venazio is cancer free and rode up from Myrtle Beach with his family to watch his cousin take part in the memorable event.
"It means a lot because Ryan went through a lot when he was only 18 months old, more than probably anybody on this team could image," Troost said. "It's just really special for me, my family and his family. And it meant a lot to have him there in the stands, it was really emotional on a night like that, but it was special."
In the past four years, because of the efforts of UNC Asheville baseball, Vs. Cancer has been able to assist Mission with purchasing iPads and laptops for patients to use to keep up with homework during treatment as well as help with building a teen room to serve the older group of patients that are going through cancer treatment at an especially difficult age.
Even though the event was Wednesday evening, the Bulldogs will continue to raise funds throughout the season. Donations can be made via this link: HERE.
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
OF/RHP
/ BaseballTuesday, May 28
Tuesday, May 28
Tuesday, May 28
Monday, May 13