Feb. 13, 2003

Cullowhee, N.C. - Student-athletes from Western Carolina University's baseball, women's basketball, men's golf and track and field squads teamed up with kids at the Cullowhee Valley School to "Jump Rope For Heart" Thursday morning. The event was organized by one of the school's physical education teachers, Francis Mincey, to raise money for the American Heart Association.

"We put on this event once every two years," Mincey said. "We've had athletes and administrators from Western Carolina University here before and the kids just love them. They really look to them as role models and we truly enjoyed hearing Ryan (McCurry - baseball) speak today."

"I just stressed the importance of setting goals for their lives and having dreams," McCurry said. " I told them that they should always challenge themselves and never let anyone tell them they can't do something. A good quote I heard and passed on to them is to 'shoot for the moon so that if you miss, you still reach the stars'."

The kids who participated in the jump roping event raised an impressive $4,400 for the charity this year. Each student asked people in the community to "sponsor" them and pledge money for the kids to jump rope. Even the Catamount student-athletes got involved in the exercise.

"The other athletes and I were there to motivate the kids and I think they all really enjoyed themselves," said Virginia LaCombe, current student and former All-American track and field athlete at WCU. "The event was for a good cause and it was definitely a fun, energetic way to start the morning."

Also participating in the event were women's basketball players Marsha McGillivary and Janetta Heggins, track and field athlete Jason Harnett and men's golfer Gorham Bradley.