Battle of the Beaks Tradition Continues
This year’s Battle of the Beaks between Nazareth and St. John Fisher Colleges is one for the record books. In its seven-year history of competition for a good cause, student athletes at both colleges have worked together to raise more than $90,000 for the Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong.
Basketball games kicked off Battle of the Beaks on January 28 at Nazareth College and on February 14 at St. John Fisher College. Fundraising efforts this year included T-shirt and bracelet sales at the popular events, the student-athlete semi-formal, and the Battle of the Beaks committees’ annual Winter Walk, held at St. John Fisher on February 16.
“Being part of the Battle of the Beaks gives students, faculty, and staff a chance to give back to a place that has touched the lives of many members of the campus community,” says Becky Fahy, Ph.D., associate professor in psychology and Battle of the Beaks committee member. “Many of us have had children who were treated at the hospital or were treated there ourselves when we were kids. Students see that they are a part of something much larger than themselves and are proud of the fact that they can make a difference in the lives of the children who they visit in the hospital. The events are the result of a fun and collaborative effort of students, staff, and faculty ... what Nazareth is all about.”
All the events are organized by the Battle of the Beaks committee, comprised of student athletes, Fahy, Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach in Athletics Traci Lian, and Head Athletic Trainer and Assistant Athletic Director Adrienne Jester. In addition, Head Women’s Soccer Coach in Athletics Gail Mann and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee organize the student-athlete semi-formal and donate all profits to the cause.
