Football raises money for Special Olympics with May Madness Tournament

MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin Football program hosted its Annual May Madness 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament May 10th and the event was once again a huge success. The tournament, which is put on by the CUW Football seniors, raised $2,910, all of the money going towards Special Olympics Wisconsin Region 8, which covers the Milwaukee region and surrounding cities.

The Falcons players raised $1,455 for this year's event. Thanks to a generous donation by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, the grand total surpassed $2900. The CUW Football seniors sought out Thrivent Financial as a potential sponsor for the tournament and the company responded by matching any total CUW raised from this year's event.

"We chose Special Olympics because it is a great cause and something we all wanted to support," said senior defensive back Brett Waldorf. "I have done previous work with Special Olympics and it feels great to make a difference with this tournament."

This year marked the fourth time the Falcons have hosted the May Madness Tournament. Each year the CUW senior class finds a foundation or organization to raise money for. Past foundations have included the Donald Driver Foundation, the Ronald McDonald House and a Veterans Memorial Bench at Tomasini Stadium.

The Falcons, along with Thrivent Financial, will present the check to Special Olympics at a home football game in the fall of 2014. The date of that game has yet to be determined.