Nov. 15, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State track & field and cross country teams hosted the third-annual Fit For Fritz fight against cancer event Sunday morning at the Ashenfelter III Indoor Track.
The event, which originated in 2013 in support of track and field assistant coach Fritz Spence, is a Walk-A-Thon and bone marrow registry hosted at the Indoor Multi-Sport Complex and made possible by the collaboration of the coaching staff, the Penn State Athletics Department, and the track and field student-athletes.
This year's event raised just over $8,000, with the three-year amount totaling over $30,000 raised for the Hope Lodge in Hershey, Pa. "I want to thank everyone who has had a part in helping to make Fit For Fritz a success year after year," said Spence.
"I've learned how important it is to the community and how supportive the community is as a whole. I take strength and encouragement from everybody involved. The Penn State family comes in here and continues to support me day after day with my fight against cancer."
Participants in Sunday's Fit For Fritz had the opportunity to showcase their athletic abilities in exercise stations (push-ups, crunches, chin ups, planks, vertical jump, hand stands) and around the track. However, the highlight of the day was the Penn State athletes taking part in karaoke - joined by the Nittany Lion - showcasing their musical talents.
"Every four minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer and the more we can do to support and help, the better," said Spence. For more information on how to donate visit www.GoPSUSports.com, www.BeTheMatchFoundation.org, or http://main.acsevents.org/fitforfritz.