Boston College Athletics
BC Exceeds its Cycle for Survival Goal
April 29, 2015 | Boston College Athletics
Sports is about setting and achieving goals.
Set a goal, achieve that goal. Set a new goal, reach for that new goal.
For the Boston College Athletics Department, outside of the traditional goals of winning on the field and graduating our student-athletes, there's also another department-wide goal in the spring. Not a goal that relates to anything on the field or in the classroom, but a more compassionate, heart-felt goal.
On Wednesday and for the third year in a row, Boston College hosted Cycle for Survival - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's program to fundraise for rare cancer research - and had a goal: raise $10,000 for a cause close to the Eagles' heart.
More information and background about BC's Cycle for Survival
"Cycle for Survival was established 10 years ago in New York City and since then it's expanded to 13 cities and they raised $25 million this past year," BC associate athletic director for football relations Barry Gallup '69 said during a quick break in the afternoon. "It came to Boston three years ago, what was its first year, and our daughter Lisa and our son Barry Jr., were two of the people who got it started in Boston."
Lisa `09 passed away in December 2012, but her ambition to get Cycle for Survival to Boston lives on. Not only through the annual event in downtown Boston, but also through a smaller, very special event at The Heights.
"After Lisa passed away, (former head field hockey coach) Ainslee (Lamb) and the Athletic Department wanted to run an event here and we were just thrilled to have the Boston College community participate," Gallup said.
Lamb points the inspiration for the event in one direction: "The Gallup family. No question. I think that I was very driven to help BC show their support for an incredible family and an important person in the Boston College community."
For third year in a row, Boston College's Cycle four Survival was an unqualified success ... and met its goals.
During the baseball team's win over Bryant, Lamb and members of the athletic department presented Gallup, his wife Victoria and his son Barry Jr., with a check for $10,422 on behalf of Team FabuLisa.
"I listened to Coach Gallup speak last night and it means absolutely everything to him," Lamb said. "I think that Barry and Lisa embody what Boston College really strives to be: being the best person you possibly can be each and every day.
"I think it's really awesome that this event has allowed people the opportunity to demonstrate that. I really believe it has facilitated `Men and Women for Others,' `Ever to Excel' - all those BC and Jesuit mantras, but more importantly, it gives people the opportunity to be the best person they can be each and every day."
"I think it shows what BC is all about," Gallup said. "The Jesuits always preach `Men and Women for others' and I've seen that so much at Boston College. This past year with the Icebucket Challenge supporting Pete Frates, and this fall when we played USC and we beat USC and Welles Crowther's parents were in the locker room with true the emotion and sincerity.
"To have the whole athletic department here today and to wear Team FabuLisa shirts - we have a lot of great student-athletes and coaches - we have a great team and it's all Boston College."
Representatives from every team and every support department participated in Cycle for Survival. Every bike was re-filled every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m., when the day-long event culminated on Shea Field with the check presentation and cookout.
If student-athletes, coaches or staff didn't spin, they donated, helped out or encouraged everyone going back and forth from the Plex. Not everyone could actually spin because, well, there just isn't enough space or time in the day to ride: "I think it's grown unbelievably to the point that right now we have a waiting list," Gallup said.
But remember, this event still involved athletes doing an athletic endeavor. So competition - and goals - weren't left outside the spin room.
"It is so impressive to go in to the spin room and watch a different team come in and compete with each other," Gallup said. "But they have fun! I love how some of the teams mixed together. I was just over there with lacrosse and women's hockey - two of our most competitive teams - and they were competing with each other, but they were smiling and having fun. And the coaches were riding with them. It was just terrific!"
Lamb and Gallup generally pump each group before the music starts and the room begins to jam. Lamb's usual words of wisdom to the riders say all you need to know about Boston College Athletics and the department's Cycle for Survival.
"Give 25 minutes," Lamb said. "It's really such a simple thing for us to apply ourselves for 25 minutes and honor people who are fighting for their lives. For me, it's the memory of Lisa and the energy and enthusiasm she had for this event. I love the event because it's a positive, aggressive way to go after cancer. And that's what I really love about it and what I try to share with our riders when they start."
On behalf of Gallup family and to the entire athletic department: Thank you!
The Boston College Athletics community came together for a fantastic cause on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, and raised more...
Posted by Boston College Athletics on Wednesday, April 29, 2015
