BOSTON - The Boston University men's and women's lacrosse teams combined to raise a record amount of money for Bike to the Beach, a 100-mile bike ride that raises money and awareness for autism.
Players and coaches from both programs completed the 100-mile ride from Boston to Newport, Rhode Island, on Saturday, Sept. 18, with other team members supporting the riders at rest stops along the route. This was the sixth year that the men's lacrosse team participated in this event while the women's program took part for the first time.
The men raised nearly $64,000 for the cause, making it the largest annual fundraising event by a single team at Boston University, while the women raised over $29,000 in their first year with Bike to the Beach. Together, the two programs raised over $93,000. In its six years working with Bike to the Beach, BU Men's Lacrosse has raised over $214,000.
"I could not be prouder of our team and their effort for this great cause," men's lacrosse head coach Ryan Polley said. "They excelled at every step of this process including their fundraising efforts, learning about autism, their outreach, and attacking Saturday's ride or their volunteering assignment. We talk a lot about giving back to the community and making sacrifices, and our team did both this past weekend. It was also amazing to have the women's team join us this year. A big thanks to Coach Morton, her staff and her players for all their hard work."
"Saturday was a wonderful display of community, sacrifice and toughness for both the men's and women's teams," women's lacrosse head coach Lauren Morton said. "It was an honor for our program to join and support a great cause and organization. I was so proud of our team and their effort to not only raise awareness and funds, but to complete this ride."
Founded in 2007, Bike to the Beach's mission is to raise funds and awareness for autism, while promoting fun and fitness through cycling. Donations are made to Autism Speaks and other local autism charities to aid in their efforts to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum, a neurological disorder that affects one out of every 68 children.
