USJ Lacrosse: From Mop Tops To Chrome Domes For Pediatric Cancer

WEST HARTFORD, CT — If you happen to see a few good men on the University of Saint Joseph campus in West Hartford sporting extremely short hair, the Marines have not landed.

Rather, it's just the USJ Blue Jays men's lacrosse team and they're sporting short or no hair in support of children who, sadly, may have to do that while battling cancer.

Sunday, USJ lacrosse raised $16,000 as part of a fund-raiser in support of St. Baldrick's Day and its "Brave the Shave" hair-cutting event on campus, which also featured other students braving the clippers for a cause.

The St. Baldrick's Foundation, based in Monrovia, Calif., is a national organization that raises money for pediatric cancer research.

Founded in 2000, the organization provides a blueprint for similar events where folks volunteer this time of year to cut their hair really short (or completely off) and raise money to battle childhood cancer.

Showing that his leadership off the field is just as influential as on it, USJ lacrosse captain Ryan Paltauf of Southbury urged his teammates to participate.

As a result, students, coaches and families descended on campus Sunday to see the team's mop tops become chrome domes.

“As student-athletes, we often take for granted simple everyday activities like getting up to go to class, eating meals together as a team and practicing together every day,” said Paltauf.

“The lives of these kids and their families we are raising money for changed forever when they heard about their diagnosis. They would do anything to be in our position and go to class or play a sport with their friends.

"The least we can do is raise some money to help them out and shave our heads to raise awareness to show that we stand with them in their journey to recovery."

For more information on the St. Baldrick's Foundation and to donate, click on this link.

For more information on USJ lacrosse, click on this link.