DUDLEY, Mass. (July 21) – Several members of the Nichols College football staff, along with three Bison football alumni teamed together to raise more than $80,000 for pediatric brain tumor research in early June when they participated in the eighth annual Lauren's First and Goal Football Camp at Lafayette College.

Nichols Head Coach Kevin Loney, along with Offensive Coordinator Bob Grammer, Running Backs Coach Len Samborowski, Offensive Line Coach Andy Smith, and Defensive Backs Coach Will Blanden reunited with alumni Jay Accorsi '85, Marc Klaiman '88, and Bill Hassett '10, to coach a camp-record 1,864 student athletes. This year's event also set camp records for camper donations.

“I've been a part of Lauren's First & Goal Camps for seven years,” said Loney. “Every time I get to see Lauren and her family, and the student-athletes whose lives we get to touch, I am overwhelmed by it; it's such a rewarding experience.”

“It was great to have most of our staff there this year as well as to team up with a few Nichols College alums that are also coaching football: Jay Accorsi, the head football coach at one of the most storied Division III programs in history, Rowan University; Marc Klaiman, the first head coach at Anna Maria College; and Bill Hassett, who is currently coaching at St Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia,” Loney added.

The camp is the primary fundraiser for Lauren´s First and Goal Foundation and all proceeds from the event go directly to its mission of providing financial support for brain tumor research and cancer services, offering financial and emotional support to families living with pediatric cancer, and increasing awareness of the disease.

“We are so thankful to the hundreds of volunteers who dedicated their time and efforts to make the camp a success, from the Lafayette grounds crew, to the members of the Easton community who embrace the camp by volunteering, donating food, services and parking spaces, to the many current and former members of the Lafayette football team who returned to Easton to work all weekend in setting up and assisting on the day of the camp,” said LFG founder Marianne Loose.

“We especially want to thank the 270 college coaches who volunteered their time and expertise to make this the most successful camp ever,” Loose added.

During the one-day camp, players received instruction in a variety of offensive and defensive skills from college coaches from around the country. Almost 300 coaches representing 100 colleges and universities volunteered at the event. UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni was the featured guest speaker and addressed the athletes, who came from 16 different states and Singapore.

Created in 2004 by John and Marianne Loose in honor of their 14-year-old daughter Lauren, a pediatric brain tumor survivor, LFG has raised $199,658 this year. Since its inception, the foundation has donated more than $800,000 toward the fight against pediatric brain tumors and cancer.

For more information on Lauren's First and Goal Foundation, visit http://www.laurensfirstandgoal.org/ or follow the Foundation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LaurensFirstandGoal.