At the sound of the starting shot, 20 racers set off from the track in Strawberry Stadium to cover a 5K track around campus in support of the Support Our War Heroes organization.
The “Trot for Troops” race took place Saturday, Nov. 19 and was sponsored by the Sports Management Association (SMA) and organized by the Kinesiology 366 class. The 5K race fundraiser has been held every semester for three years to donate money for various causes.
“The Kinesiology 366 class (facility and event management) and the Sports Management Association host the annual ‘Trot for Troops 5K’ to raise money and awareness for a worthy cause through a fun and positive community event,” said Dr. Ashley Bowers, assistant professor of sports management.
“Hosting such an event also gives our sports management students quality, real world experience with the various aspects involved with event management.”
The event included free T-shirts for the first 50 to register, food, drinks, music, raffles, free gear donated by local businesses and awards for the winners. Among the businesses to donate food and gifts were Smoothie King, Sears, Best Buy, Stein Mart, Voodoo BBQ and Winn Dixie.
Prior to the race, attendants placed their hand on their hearts in respect for the American flag as senior Allison Joiner, majoring in vocal music education, sang the national anthem.
“I am in the Sports Management Association so I wanted to give back to my organization,” said sophomore Blake Borgstede, majoring in sports management. “I feel that it went great and great support from everyone who showed up. I finished fifth!”
Among the racers were students, alumni and locals looking to support the Support Our War Heroes cause.
“I thought the race was great, the route around campus was very scenic for me because I am an alumnus of Southeastern and it was nice to see the whole campus,” said Alice Montelaro. “The food was really good after the race and they had so many prizes to give away at the end.”
The raffle was held after the race in which a plethora of prizes were given to lucky winners. Prizes included paintings, gift baskets, and gift cards to local restaurants. Among the free stuff given away were drawstring backpacks, cup holders, pedometers, mint tins, bottles and T-shirts.
Awards were given to first and second place male and female racers. First place winners received a trophy and a Thanksgiving turkey. Second place winners received ribbons.
“I am supporting our war heroes because they are the backbone of our nation. Everything we have and do in this country is because of them,” said Becky Kramer, first place female racer. “I never participated in a race in Hammond before and it was for a good cause so I decided to come.”
The event was patriotically decorated with framed posters of war heroes who were family and friends of attendants. In closing of the race, “The Soldier,” a poem about the sacrifices of soldiers for ordinary citizens by Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, U.S. Marine Corps was read.
For information on upcoming races, contact the Kinesiology and Health Studies Department at 985-549-2129 or Michael Dupre, president of SMA at Michael.dupre-2@selu.edu.