15th annual Katie Samson Lacrosse Festival Set for April 25
digitalsportsnews
| April 14, 2015
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Radnor High School will be the site for the much anticipated 15
th annual Katie Samson Lacrosse Festival. The Festival, which began in 2000, has grown to become the premier high school lacrosse event in the United States. The event’s founder, Katie Samson, grew up in Wayne where she attended Radnor High School and was the goalkeeper for the girl’s lacrosse team. She went on to study Art History at Middlebury College and play Division III lacrosse. She was an integral part of the team’s 1999 victory for the National Championship. After a tragic sledding accident that same year, Samson was left a quadriplegic. With the emotional support from friends and family, as well as months of physical rehabilitation, Samson went back to finish her degree and help coach her college team.
The Katie Samson Foundation raises money for research to identify a cure for spinal cord injuries and to optimize care and quality of life for spinal cord patients. The foundation also promotes social awareness as the lacrosse community comes together to support the festival. Through Katie’s courage and perseverance, her foundation has successfully raised funds to support spinal cord injury research and rehabilitation programs that provide much needed independence and quality of life improvements for those with spinal cord injuries.
In 2014, more than $125,000 was raised due to the generous support of over 50 sponsors, donations from attendees, and fundraising efforts by each participating lacrosse team. Since its appearance in 2000, $1.6 million has been dispersed to various charities that work to benefit medical research and provide care for people with spinal cord injuries. Samson’s perseverance and courage sparks the festival’s volunteers to continue their support. Volunteers in the lacrosse community and beyond have been its backbone year after year. The festival is filled with activities for the whole family; with exciting lacrosse team match-ups, a demonstration of wheelchair sports, food, fan zones, and a spirit of sportsmanship and purpose.
The festival website,
www.katiesamsonlaxfest.com, has an inspirational video and the full schedule, as well as all other festival details. Visit on Facebook – Katie Samson Lacrosse Festival.
