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Inspired Vikings Thump Santa Rosa

Nov. 26, 2013

The Vikings handily defeated the Santa Rosa Junior College Bear Cubs 13-2 last Saturday night at Viking Stadium.  But lacrosse was only the third item on the agenda. The American Cancer Society was on hand collecting $1,219 in donations at the door from the generous fans in attendance.  Then the evening's maint event began with the introduction of Lauren McCullough, a DVC student and All-American Viking swimmer who has been battling Ewing's Sarcoma since May.  Lauren spoke to the audience of over 300 people (the largest audience ever for a DVC lacrosse game) providing information about and challenges of the disease, how she has dealt with chemotherapy, and even made a little joke about her bald head.  She also invited people to follow her blog http://thenotdyinggirl.com/ which has documented her journey fighting the sarcoma.  As she spoke, the Vikings and BearCats listened intently around the large yellow circle at the center of the stadium, the Vikings in gold socks (gold being the color assocatiated with Ewing's), and players of both teams wearing donated shirts by Simply Selling Shirts, with the Ewings Sarcoma motto:  "Fight like a girl!  Fight - Defy - Win." After Lauren finished, Dean Wallahan presented Lauren with the #1 Viking Lacrosse jersey and made her an honorary captain for the game., and team President Devon Bahary presented her with a composite photo of the Viking Lacrosse team, a Viking lacrosse t-shirt, and her own "Fight Like a Girl..." shirt.    The players were very moved by her speech, and afterward both teams gathered at midfield and in the loudest break I have ever heard at DVC, shouted, "Lauren on three, Lauren on three, 1 -2 -3 LAUREN!"  The players, many of whom already follow her on her blog, then proceeded to line up in single file and personally thank, hug, and shake hands with Lauren.   She then went out with her fellow Vikings at midfield and participated in the coin toss.

After an event like this for their fellow student and athlete, the Vikings were not to be denied. They played with passion, grace, and commitment.  They intended to win this game for Lauren, and they did not disappoint her and the Viking fans in attendance. 

Special thanks for this event goes to Viking treasurer, Mathias Armstrong, who in large part organized this event, garnered the support of the Inter-Club Council (ICC) who funded this game and the decorations (1,000 feet of gold streams and 100 balloons), designed the event flyers, collaborated with other clubs to support the event, and along with Vice President, Brandon Hall painstakingly decorated the stadium.  Also, the Vikings are grateful to the Music Industry Studies who sponsored an amazing rendition of the national anthem and a great halftime show, and the Dance Club who performed beautifully between the third and fourth quarters.  The efforts of the Pan-African Student Union, Latino Student Alliance, and International Student Admissions & Services are also greatly appreciated for assisting in distributing flyers and urging their members to attend the game.