Peddie, Lawrenceville Compete to Fight Cancer

Athletes from and longtime rival, , competed Saturday to raise money and awareness for cancer research in memory of a former Peddie coach, Gerard “Jerry” Hart.

After Hart succumbed to pancreatic cancer Sept. 19, 2010, Sue Cabot, director of athletics at Peddie, developed the idea for the campaign, “Two Schools. One Mission: Stop Cancer Now,” and the annual matchup between the schools became permanently dedicated to him.

"Lawrenceville-Peddie Day reminds us all that there are many battles in life and not all of them are fun, clean and fair,” John Simar, athletic director at Lawrenceville School, said in a news release. “Cancer eventually touches all of our families and is one battle from which we cannot turn away.”

In 2010, the campaign raised and donated over $4,000 to cancer research. This year’s numbers were not yet available, but the goal was to raise $5,000.

“[Lawrenceville-Peddie Day] aligned perfectly with October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month so it seemed a perfect fit,” Cabot said.

Cabot said she started the campaign to show student athletes that they are playing for a larger cause. 

“Athletes from both our schools are fierce competitors but they also know when to stand shoulder to shoulder in support of something much more important than a touchdown, a goal or a winning point,” Cabot said in a news release. “There isn’t anyone competing today who hasn’t been touched by cancer in some way. By working together, our two communities can make a difference in the fight against cancer through our demonstration of unity, hope and compassion.”

An educator and faculty member at Peddie, Hart served as director of office computing and director of major gifts and projects, the release said. He coached cross-country and track at the school, his alma mater, for 15 years. He graduated from Peddie in 1969.