Press Release courtesy of LSU Athletics
While the LSU swimming and diving team will be battling Loyola and Tulane in the pool Friday in the LSU Natatorium, they will also be raising awareness for a good cause out of the pool.
The team is dedicating its only competitive meet in September for Child Cancer Awareness Month.
“The bigger picture here is to highlight and support Childhood Cancer Awareness. We are dedicating this competition to all of those who have been affected by childhood cancer in hopes to raise awareness and donations to help reach the 15,000 plus children and young adults diagnosed with cancer annually,” said LSU head diving coach Doug Shaffer.
The first 100 fans to arrive to the LSU Natatorium on Friday evening will receive a team photo and t-shirt in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
After the meet, the team will recognize manager Kayne Finley, who has been with diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Despite the diagnosis, Finley has enrolled at LSU this fall, taking advantage of the opportunities the swimming and diving team offers as well as the veterinary program. Finley has become an integral part of the team since he first met LSU swimming head coach Dave Geyer at his LSU orientation last summer.
“Getting to know Kayne over the past nine months has been great for me, my staff and the team. Having him on campus and on deck sharing his commitment, drive and love for life is amazing to witness,” Geyer explained. “His family has been around swimming for years so to be able to have a meet during September which is children’s cancer month seemed like an obvious choice to do. I’m excited for this meet and hope we see a tremendous amount of support for our team and cancer awareness.”