University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Going Big for Always Dreaming Meet
1/17/2018 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Gophers Host Michigan State Saturday in its Always Dreaming Meet
The Gophers are hosting their Always Dreaming Cancer Awareness Meet on Saturday. You may have seen the meet name throughout the years but what does it actually mean?
The competition is named in honor of Frank Kara, who served as the Director of Compliance for Minnesota's athletics department. Kara was a leader in his profession, and was a life-long Gopher sports fan. He lost his battle with cancer in 2007. This year the Gophers will also recognize young gymnast Rissy Schafer who fought cancer throughout last year and the Maddison Mertz family. Maddison lost her life to cancer in May 2017.
"It's been amazing to be able to participate in a meet that brings awareness to such an important cause," senior Abby DeMuse said. "Cancer awareness is so much more than just wearing pink to a gymnastics meet or us wearing a pink leotard- it's about honoring families and members of our community who have been affected by cancer."
"Always Dreaming is finding something you are passionate about and setting your mind to that," sophomore Kristen Quaglia echoed. "I love being part of a team that is so passionate about cancer awareness. I know it's touched some of us personally and I really think it's a good thing that we are spending so much time and energy towards it."
The Gophers wanted to look at a way they could make even more of an impact at this year's Always Dreaming Meet. Fans are encouraged to brink books or crafts, two things close to the hearts of Rissy and Maddison, to be donated to the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital.
"The University's motto is "driven to discover" and this year we are doing more than ever at our Always Dreaming Meet," Demuse said. "We are not only driven to find cures but also raise money and even collect donations to give to the Children's Hospital so that the children affected by disease are able to have supplies as a temporary getaway from the day-to-day routine of a hospital."
This is not the first time the Gophers have strived to make a difference in the community. From day one of the school year they have been out and about when they helped new students move into the dorm rooms.
Soon after the Gophers took part in the annual HopeDay, an annual event that began in 2006 and has grown into the largest community service event for Gopher Athletics. Later in the fall, members of the team took part in a "Light the Night" event. The night is a fundraising event that helps bring light to the darkness of cancer by celebrating those who are fighting the disease and honor those who have lost their life to it. The Gophers walked Stone Arch Bridge with hundreds of other people all bringing light to cancer.
"Having this platform of collegiate athletics has been such an amazing way to reach out and try to make a difference in our community," DeMuse said. "There are so many volunteering opportunities available to us through our school's MAGIC program, and we are highly encouraged to engage in as many volunteering opportunities as possible."
Over winter break the Gophers took a trip to the Masonic Children's Hospital, a visit that Quaglia won't soon forget.
"It was really touching to see all the kids and spend time with them. It is just great to be involved in our community," Quaglia said. "Minnesota as an athletic department is a name. I think it is really cool we can use that platform to touch people."
The Always Dreaming Meet will not be the last time you see the Gophers making a difference this season. They plan to be as active as possible throughout the entire year.
"Without our community, we wouldn't be here," DeMuse said. "I am so thankful for all of the opportunities that have come my way, so it is only right for us to give back to the community that have given us so much support."
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