Hauppauge High School will be hosting its fourth annual Kicks For Cancer in honor of former student Courtney Tomkin on Oct. 15. The event starts at noon featuring back-to-back varsity soccer games and more.
Kicks for Cancer started in October 2008 in memory of Tomkin, who at the time was a senior recently diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. While she was never played for the Lady Eagles soccer team, she became their manager who community members said could always be found cheering on their sidelines. She died in December 2008 at age 17.
For the first time, Kicks for Cancer is being held on a Saturday. Organizers moving the event ot he weekend will bringing out more members of the Hauppauge community to take part, said Jesseca Kulesa, head coach of Hauppauge's varsity girls soccer team.
The event has continued to grow in size over the last four years, adding more soccer games and a larger crowd. Hauppauge youth soccer teams will get the ball rolling at 10 a.m. with exhibition matches.
Hauppauge varsity girls soccer team will host North Babylon in the featured match of the day at noon. The Lady Eagles are undefeated in League IV play at the midpoint of the season, 6-0, as North Babylon is ranked No. 4 with a record of 3-3. Hauppauge beat North Babylon 2-1 earlier this season on Sept. 21.
Following the girls game, the Hauppauge boys varsity soccer team will face a difficult challenge against Bellport. The Eagles soccer team is 0-8 in the 2011 fall season, while Bellport is ranked No. 3 with a 4-3-1 record.
All proceeds will benefit The Making Headway Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicate to the care of children with spinal cord, brain and other neurological illnesses, The American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Courtney Tomkin Scholarship fund.
Kicks For Cancer has raised more than $30,000 for these organizations every years since 2008. This year, there are over 20 high schools participating in the event, Kulesa said.
