Wittenberg Men's Soccer Team Makes Small Sacrifice For Hurricane Katrina Victims

Levi Van Reeth (in red)

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — It was just another mid-week game in a 2005 season full of them. The Wittenberg men's soccer team headed to Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, on Wednesday, Sept. 14, for what turned out to be a 2-1 victory for the Tigers.

For the victims of Hurricane Katrina, however, such normalcy isn't possible right now. In recognition of that fact, the 19 Wittenberg players, student manager, student trainer and two coaches who made the two-hour trip to Muskingum all donated their $7 per diem allowance for dinner after the game to the American Red Cross relief efforts.

It was money well spent, according to Head Coach Steve Dawson, a small gesture made by a group of conscientious college students who understand that while they play a game others are struggling to find shelter, electricity and running water in the aftermath of one of the most catastrophic natural disasters to ever hit the United States.

"This is not a massive sacrifice on our parts, but every little bit helps," Dawson said. "Our guys are aware of whats going on down there and felt that this was something they could do to help."

Team captain Levi Van Reeth of New Concord, Ohio, class of 2006, agreed. He knows that the sacrifice was small, but every little bit helps as millions of American residents put their lives back together.

"I'm proud of this teams efforts to help other people who really need it right now," Van Reeth said.

The Tigers are off to a 3-2-1 record to start the 2005 campaign with a young lineup that is starting to jell. Van Reeth is one of just two seniors on a team that frequently has nine freshmen on the field at the same time during games. Wittenberg is hoping to reach the four-team North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament for the first time since its inception in 2000 after several near misses in recent years.

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