University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: JEROME IBRAHIM
Lax Ball Unites Community And Student-Athletes
October 31, 2023 | Student-Athlete Development
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Members of the UNC baseball, softball as well as the men's and women's lacrosse teams gathered at Anderson Stadium Sunday afternoon for the third annual "Lax Ball Heel-O-Ween" fundraiser with all proceeds benefiting the UNC Children's Hospital.
The men's lacrosse and softball teams comprised one squad, and women's lacrosse and baseball made up the other. The teams faced off for a seven-inning game of "Lax Ball," a baseball/softball hybrid played with a tennis ball, which ended in a 15-15 tie.
"It was Coach [Joe] Breschi's vision, and we've got a lot of people working on it," UNC women's lacrosse coach Jenny Levy said. "We found that the softball venue was the perfect place for it, and it is one of those things where we can link arms with our community to fundraise and celebrate our children's hospital and all the hard work they're doing to help children with cancer and their families and have a little fun."
Boshamer Stadium hosted the first Lax Ball game in 2021 before it moved to Anderson Stadium last season.
"We originally had it during the week, but that was a little bit tough for the student-athletes, and the participation from Children's Hospital during the week was a little bit tougher around dinner and after school during the week, so we decided to have it on the weekend to allow more kids to come out and more people in the community to support this event."
This year's event was emceed by men's lacrosse graduate student Alex Breschi, who has participated in every Lax Ball fundraiser.
"People do so much for us in this community and it's important for us to give back to the community," Breschi said. "Carolina athletics is always supporting something bigger than itself and to combine four teams to support those who need it most makes it so much fun, and that's something I'm very proud to be a part of."
The event raised nearly $10,000 for the UNC Children's Hospital in its first three years. It also gives local children the opportunity to get dressed up for trick-or-treating around the concourse.
"Seeing the little kids smile, run the bases and have a blast puts a little perspective into our lives," baseball senior first baseman Alberto Osuna said. "They're all going through a tough time and hopefully this brings them a little joy."
Dr. Patrick Thompson, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at UNC, and UNC Health Foundation Director of Special Events Allison Baranowski spoke about how the money raised would benefit the hospital and the children. They thanked all the student-athletes for their support.
"You can't have a perfect day without serving someone who could never repay you," Baranowski said to the crowd. "Having all of you here and helping UNC Children's [Hospital] is a beautiful thing."
The men's lacrosse and softball teams comprised one squad, and women's lacrosse and baseball made up the other. The teams faced off for a seven-inning game of "Lax Ball," a baseball/softball hybrid played with a tennis ball, which ended in a 15-15 tie.
"It was Coach [Joe] Breschi's vision, and we've got a lot of people working on it," UNC women's lacrosse coach Jenny Levy said. "We found that the softball venue was the perfect place for it, and it is one of those things where we can link arms with our community to fundraise and celebrate our children's hospital and all the hard work they're doing to help children with cancer and their families and have a little fun."
Boshamer Stadium hosted the first Lax Ball game in 2021 before it moved to Anderson Stadium last season.
"We originally had it during the week, but that was a little bit tough for the student-athletes, and the participation from Children's Hospital during the week was a little bit tougher around dinner and after school during the week, so we decided to have it on the weekend to allow more kids to come out and more people in the community to support this event."
This year's event was emceed by men's lacrosse graduate student Alex Breschi, who has participated in every Lax Ball fundraiser.
"People do so much for us in this community and it's important for us to give back to the community," Breschi said. "Carolina athletics is always supporting something bigger than itself and to combine four teams to support those who need it most makes it so much fun, and that's something I'm very proud to be a part of."
The event raised nearly $10,000 for the UNC Children's Hospital in its first three years. It also gives local children the opportunity to get dressed up for trick-or-treating around the concourse.
"Seeing the little kids smile, run the bases and have a blast puts a little perspective into our lives," baseball senior first baseman Alberto Osuna said. "They're all going through a tough time and hopefully this brings them a little joy."
Dr. Patrick Thompson, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at UNC, and UNC Health Foundation Director of Special Events Allison Baranowski spoke about how the money raised would benefit the hospital and the children. They thanked all the student-athletes for their support.
"You can't have a perfect day without serving someone who could never repay you," Baranowski said to the crowd. "Having all of you here and helping UNC Children's [Hospital] is a beautiful thing."
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