Athletic teams participate in Mel’s Pig Roast 5K, donates over $1,800

Athletic teams participate in Mel’s Pig Roast 5K, donates over $1,800

CEDARBURG, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin athletic programs are consistently giving back to the local community and the Mel's Pig Roast 5K was no different. The Falcons had six teams compete, over 150 student-athletes, in the run/walk on Saturday and donated over $1,800 to support numerous organizations in the area and Special Olympics of Ozaukee County.

The support began four years ago when former Men's Basketball student-athlete Luke Doedens and his family connected with head coach Shawn Cassidy about the event and what it supports. For Cassidy and his program, it was an easy decision to back the organization because over the past decade it has had two special needs managers within the program.

One of the beneficiaries from the Mel's Pig Roast 5K is the Nikki Doedens Scholarship. Nikki was the sister of Luke, who passed away in a tragic car accident while in high school.

"It was great to see so many CUW student-athletes join together to participate in the Mel's Pig 5K Run," Cassidy said. "Our numbers continue to grow each year as we strive to fulfill the mission of CUW. Tom "Mel" Stanton does so much to support our local community and we appreciate the example he has set for us. The opportunity to join with him on one of his many service events is a pleasure. We look forward to participating again next year and for the foreseeable future."

Four years ago it started with just the Men's Basketball team (25 student-athletes) running and walking in the event and since then the Falcons athletic community participants has grown six-fold.