JOPLIN, Mo. —
NCAA Division II cross country programs across the country raised a total of $28,500 this year for tornado relief in Joplin.
The teams held various fundraisers — run-a-thons, T-shirt sales, yard work, hosting road races — throughout the year.
A check presentation was made during Saturday night’s championship awards banquet. Two-thirds of the amount will be given to the Joplin R-8 school district, and one-third is going to the Missouri Southern tornado relief fund.
At the December 2011 national convention of the U.S. track and cross country coaches, a group headed by D-2 chairman Aaron Russell of Lock Haven wanted to help, and the “Joplin Initiative” was born.
“Many of us coaches have visited Joplin on a number of occasions,” Russell said in a press release. “To watch the devastation on the news back in May 2011 really made me feel as though a member of my family had been in the middle of it all.
“When things really hit home for a lot of us, however, was at the 2011 Division II track and field championships when we all got to talk with Patty (Vavra) and Tom (Rutledge, MSSU coaches) and hear first-hand accounts of what they, their communities and the Missouri Southern teams had endured.
“At the convention in December, Patty and I were discussing how things have progressed in Joplin. It really struck me that with Joplin hosting the 2012 cross country championships, an amazing opportunity presented itself. Division II emphasizes (community service) and what better way to show that than the Joplin Initiative.”
Sports
Related Photos
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Globe/T. Rob Brown Student fans from Adams State and other universities intermingle as they cheer on their respective teams prior to Saturday morning's NCAA Division II National Championships for men's cross country, Nov. 17, 2012, at Missouri Southern State University's cross country course.
Discussion
NCAA initiative raises funds for Joplin
- High School Sports
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McAuley's Foley breaks Class 1 state record in discus throw
Martin Barrett/Special to the Globe Victoria Foley of McAuley Catholic broke a long-standing discus record in the Class 1 state track meet on Saturday in Jefferson City.
- Lamar runs to title
- District champ Seneca prepares to face Warrensburg
- Purdy matched against Billings in state tourney
- Carthage places third in sectional track
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- Missouri Southern Sports
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Lions eliminated at regional
MSSU shortstop Thomas Wilson tags Central Missouri's Barrett Noirfalise on Friday.
- 'No one deserved to lose' Southern opener against Mavs
- Lions squeezed in 14-inning loss to Minnesota State
- Lions open regional play against top-seeded Minnesota State
- Lions qualify 12 for track nationals
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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Gorillas stay alive with 3-1 win over UCO
Matt Hicks/Special to The Globe Pittsburg State shortstop Evan Thomas turns a double play during an MIAA postseason tournament game Thursday.
- 7 Lions, 8 Gorillas names all-MIAA
- Lions qualify 12 for track nationals
- Western rebounds to end Pitt State's season
- PSU baseball prepares for another backyard battle
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Lamar runs to title
Martin Barrett/Special to the Globe Sprinters Cade Payne of Lamar (1134) and Cedric O'Hara of Pierce City (1246), pictured competing in Friday's preliminaries had productive days on Saturday in the Class 2 track and field meet.
Lamar won its first state track and field championship Saturday in the MSHSAA Class 2 Track and Field Championships at Dwight Reed Stadium.
Continued ... - District champ Seneca prepares to face Warrensburg
- McAuley's Foley breaks Class 1 state record in discus throw
- Eagles fall to Rock Bridge in state tennis
- Young Cavaliers ousted in Class 1 sectional
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