DRAGON ATHLETICS
News
Dragon Fire Walk for Athletics 2008
A WALK OF CELEBRATION
Dragon Fire and Dragon Athletics is proud to promote the third annual Dragon Fire Walk for Athletics that will take place on April 19, 2008. Dubbed by the steering committee “A walk of Celebration”, this year’s event will celebrate its continued success, the success of Dragon Athletics and the memory of one of its most ardent supporters, Judy Peterson.
The Dragon Fire Walk for Athletics started in 2006 amid much doubt that it would be a successful fundraising event. The first two years of the walk saw over $200,000 raised and a significant increase in participants and donors. According to Greg Peterson, Dragon Fire President, the growth is continuing. “We have seen the number of walkers, donors and corporate partners increase. At the same time as we continue to add events like the 5k and 10k runs and the dinner on Friday we feel we will see more and more participation each year” said Peterson.
All of the proceeds from the events go directly towards athletic scholarships for Dragon Athletics which translates to success on the field and in the classroom. Our success this year is another reason to celebrate says Doug Peters, MSUM Athletic Director. “Four out of five fall sports participated in NSIC Championship games, and overall our winter sports excelled. Swimming and Diving finished in the Top 25 nationally while the women’s indoor track and field team finished 13th in the nation. Our winter sports produced 8 All-American Honors and the success of our student-athletes in the classroom speaks for itself.” Peters said.
Overall the future seems bright for both the Dragon Fire Walk for Athletics and Dragon Athletics. At the same time the road hasn’t been easy. Sadly, Judy Peterson passed away this fall. An integral part of the annual event since its inception, Judy was part of the visionary group that saw what a unifying event the Dragon Fire Walk for Athletics could become. She saw an event that could raise the profile of the entire university and raise money for much needed athletic scholarships for Dragon Athletics. Overall, Judy began her career at MSUM in 2001 and worked tirelessly to raise money for all students and to promote our university.
As a result of her efforts and dedication, Judy and her family have been chosen as the honorary chairs of the 2008 Dragon Fire Walk for Athletics. The steering committee chose the theme “A Walk of Celebration” in order to celebrate the early success and growth of the event and because it aptly describes the vision for the event that Judy had: a celebration that has the potential to grow yearly, bring back alumni and friends to campus, and provide a simple effective method of raising money for athletic scholarships.
With the concept that thousands of small steps by Dragon fans, friends and alumni will add up to one giant step for the program; the Dragon Fire Walk for Athletics has organized over 50 captains that are leading teams that contact their family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and others to support Dragon Athletics by either joining the walk or sponsoring them as a walker. All contributions from these efforts go directly into the athletic scholarship fund at Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Since its inception in the spring of 2006, the Dragon Fire Walk for Athletics has gotten bigger and better each year. The 2008 event will be no different. A combination of alumni games, social events and fundraising will focus on three areas: reconnecting with old friends and alums of Dragon Athletics, increasing athletic scholarship funding and remembering one of the Dragon’s best supporters.
The event has continued to evolve with the addition of several opportunities to participate. Athletic alumni are invited back to play in alumni games, 5K & 10K runs are held on the morning of the Dragon Fire Walk for Athletics, and a Kick-Off Dinner and Social are hosted the night before the walk to start the festivities.
Join us on April 19, 2008 at Nemzek Hall for this great event that will help us pay our respects to Judy by continuing to make the vision a reality.
More information is available at www.dragonwalk.com, by emailing walkathn@mnstate.edu, or calling 218-477-2907.
Event Timeline
- April 18th, 2008
- 6:00 p.m. Social Hour
- 7:00 p.m. Kick-Off Dinner
- April 19th, 2008
- 8:00 a.m. Registration for 5K & 10K runs
- 9:00 a.m. 5 & 10K runs begin
- 9-10 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
- 10:00 a.m. Welcome to the Dragon Fire Walk for Athletics 2008
- 10:30 a.m. “A Walk of Celebration” Dragon Fire Walk for Athletics begins
- 11:15 a.m. Prize drawings and giveaways
