Northwestern University Athletics
#B1GCats Cycle for a Cause
2/25/2016 10:37:00 AM | General, 'Cats Give Back
By Kelly Boutelle, Northwestern Correspondent
(A video recap is embedded in photo above)
This past Sunday, Wildcats from all over campus participated in Chicago's Cycle for Survival indoor team cycling event. Not only were they riding for the millions of people suffering from rare cancers today, but they also rode in memory of Jennifer Goodman Linn, who founded the event in 2007 with her husband and former Northwestern soccer player, Dave Linn.
Shortly after getting married, Jen began to experience early symptoms of what would later become an MFH sarcoma diagnoses. In 2011, Jen passed away after a seven-year battle.
Cycle for Survival raises money for cancer research studies and clinical trials through teams of riders who must fundraise a minimum of $1,000 per bike before riding relay-style, sharing a stationary for four 50-minute cycling sessions. Rides take place at locations in 15 different major cities around the United States.
Northwestern had several teams in attendance, but three teams represented the athletic department: field hockey, men's soccer and women's soccer. Of all three, men's soccer has been the frontrunner in fundraising--and with very good reason.
Men's basketball coach Chris Collins, who was a classmate of Jen's at Duke, also participated in Sunday's event.
"Cycle for Survival is a very important part of the men's soccer program," said junior Brandon Medina. "We all know a family member or a friend who has battled with cancer and this is our opportunity to help fundraise money for cancer research. It is an awesome event with great energy and it's wonderful to see the whole team come together for a greater cause. It also shows the reach of the Northwestern soccer family across different generations and will always be one of my favorite memories here as a Wildcat."
Men's soccer head coach Tim Lenahan places a strong emphasis on the event to ensure his team is invested in the cause that is so deeply rooted in the program's history.
Through Dave's support from his Alma matter proved key, the lessons he drew from his time on the soccer team held equal weight in shaping the framework for Cycle for Survival.
"Soccer was a huge part of my life. The most meaningful thing for me is being part of a team," Dave said. "There's nothing that compares to the camaraderie of a team and building something together...We made a very specific decision to make Cycle for Survival be team-based."
For the past two years, women's soccer has also participated and raised funds for the event. Team leader and head coach Michael Moynihan described how being apart of something like this event was exciting for him and his team.
"In general, Northwestern and the athletic department have tried to be involved with the entire community," Moynihan said. "Our players always have a great time in the energetic environment and it's a great cause that has a real connection to the program as a whole."
To date, $83 million has been raised by Cycle for Survival as 100 percent the event's donations go to pioneering research and clinical trials, and have already led to new and better treatments for cancer patients worldwide.
At the beginning, Jen and David considered working full-time on Cycle for Survival, hiring a larger staff and finding office space. But that would cost money – money that would not be going to cancer treatment research. Instead, Linn and Jen turned to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, one of the top cancer treatment and research institutions in the world, to take over the event. To this day, Dave remains an active volunteer and strong advocate of Cycle for Survival.
This event allows Jen's legacy to live on and have a great impact on the world. Her energetic and always-smiling attitude is reflected in every event.
Cycle for Survival is "Exhibit A" of just how supportive the Northwestern community is of current and former students and athletes. In all ten of the cities that the event takes place, wildcats young and old support and ride for a greater cause. It goes to show that, no matter where you are or what the cause, once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.
(A video recap is embedded in photo above)
This past Sunday, Wildcats from all over campus participated in Chicago's Cycle for Survival indoor team cycling event. Not only were they riding for the millions of people suffering from rare cancers today, but they also rode in memory of Jennifer Goodman Linn, who founded the event in 2007 with her husband and former Northwestern soccer player, Dave Linn.
Shortly after getting married, Jen began to experience early symptoms of what would later become an MFH sarcoma diagnoses. In 2011, Jen passed away after a seven-year battle.
Cycle for Survival raises money for cancer research studies and clinical trials through teams of riders who must fundraise a minimum of $1,000 per bike before riding relay-style, sharing a stationary for four 50-minute cycling sessions. Rides take place at locations in 15 different major cities around the United States.
Northwestern had several teams in attendance, but three teams represented the athletic department: field hockey, men's soccer and women's soccer. Of all three, men's soccer has been the frontrunner in fundraising--and with very good reason.
Men's basketball coach Chris Collins, who was a classmate of Jen's at Duke, also participated in Sunday's event.
"Cycle for Survival is a very important part of the men's soccer program," said junior Brandon Medina. "We all know a family member or a friend who has battled with cancer and this is our opportunity to help fundraise money for cancer research. It is an awesome event with great energy and it's wonderful to see the whole team come together for a greater cause. It also shows the reach of the Northwestern soccer family across different generations and will always be one of my favorite memories here as a Wildcat."
Men's soccer head coach Tim Lenahan places a strong emphasis on the event to ensure his team is invested in the cause that is so deeply rooted in the program's history.
Through Dave's support from his Alma matter proved key, the lessons he drew from his time on the soccer team held equal weight in shaping the framework for Cycle for Survival.
"Soccer was a huge part of my life. The most meaningful thing for me is being part of a team," Dave said. "There's nothing that compares to the camaraderie of a team and building something together...We made a very specific decision to make Cycle for Survival be team-based."
For the past two years, women's soccer has also participated and raised funds for the event. Team leader and head coach Michael Moynihan described how being apart of something like this event was exciting for him and his team.
"In general, Northwestern and the athletic department have tried to be involved with the entire community," Moynihan said. "Our players always have a great time in the energetic environment and it's a great cause that has a real connection to the program as a whole."
To date, $83 million has been raised by Cycle for Survival as 100 percent the event's donations go to pioneering research and clinical trials, and have already led to new and better treatments for cancer patients worldwide.
At the beginning, Jen and David considered working full-time on Cycle for Survival, hiring a larger staff and finding office space. But that would cost money – money that would not be going to cancer treatment research. Instead, Linn and Jen turned to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, one of the top cancer treatment and research institutions in the world, to take over the event. To this day, Dave remains an active volunteer and strong advocate of Cycle for Survival.
This event allows Jen's legacy to live on and have a great impact on the world. Her energetic and always-smiling attitude is reflected in every event.
Cycle for Survival is "Exhibit A" of just how supportive the Northwestern community is of current and former students and athletes. In all ten of the cities that the event takes place, wildcats young and old support and ride for a greater cause. It goes to show that, no matter where you are or what the cause, once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.
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