MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois Football program took time during their day off of spring practice on Friday evening (April 13) to participate in the Relay for Life event, held on campus in the Student Recreation Center.

The Leathernecks not only took turns walking all 12 hours, they also raised more than $700 for the American Cancer Society's annual event. Student-athletes from other sport programs also participated in the annual fundraiser.

Head coach Mark Hendrickson, the special teams group, and other coaches/players opened at the 6 p.m. hour. Throughout the 12-hour event different position groups and the position coach walked laps around the SRC track.

According to the ACS Relay for Life website, "Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 20 other countries, gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer."

"Our players and staff were excited to participate in the Relay for Life, we had walkers during all 12 hours of the event from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. At last count there were more than 40 teams that were going to participate. There is donation money still coming in, but the football team finished among the 'Top 10' in most amount of donations raised. It's a great way for our team to make a positive contribution for such a worthwhile cause," said Hendrickson.

Leatherneck student-athletes have volunteered a minimum of 2,100 community service hours every year for the past six academic years and on average raised $15,000 each year.

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