11/04/2008
Swim & Dive Team Participates in Hour of Power Relay for Cancer on Thursday

WORCESTER, MASS. 11/4/08 - The men and women Cougar swimming and diving team will join 88 teams (an estimated 5,007 athletes) in the Third Annual "Hour of Power" Relay for Cancer Research this Thursday at the Kneller Pool from 5 - 6 p.m. This will be Clark's first year participating in the relay. Carleton College (Minn.) started this event in honor of swimmer Ted Mullin, who passed away from sarcoma in 2006.

"Cancer has affected our team over the past couple of years," said head coach Paul E. Phillips, "in fact, this past summer one of our captains, Mike Smith was diagnosed with lymphoma - in the prime of his life. Mike has attacked this aggressively and we are thankful that he will be back - thanks to his positive outlook and an early diagnosis."

"Cancer attacks without warning, but thanks to modern medicine there is hope for many," Phillips added."Ted Mullin's story is both tragic and inspirational. This represented a great opportunity for us to raise awareness for cancer research and we are proud to be a part of the event."

The "Hour of Power" is simultaneously run across the country. It consists of practice with continuous relays, any stroke, all-out swimming, for an hour, with the objective of keeping all relays in each pool on the same length. Organizing the event in one afternoon adds to the spirit and fun of the relay.

The Cougars encourage students, faculty, staff, family and friends to stop by the pool and watch the relay. There is a suggested $2 donation at the door. All proceeds will go to the Ted Mullin Fund for Sarcoma Research Fund at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital.

By: Bryonna Mention, Sports Information Staff