Members of the men's lacrosse team at Wells College pose for a team picture after shaving their faces in advance of "Mustache March" in late February. (Courtesy)

Posted: Mar 14, 2014

Men's Lacrosse To Support "Friends of Joe Adams" Fundraiser

AURORA, N.Y. – The Wells College men's lacrosse team has come together to raise funds to benefit Joe Adams, a friend of the lacrosse program who was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 brain cancer. By raising monies to benefit the Friends of Joe Adams Fundraiser, the Express hope to also raise awareness toward Adams' illness.

A graduate of West Genesee High School in Camillus, N.Y., Joe has been a part of the lacrosse community for many years as a coach and a player in the region. On Friday, Jan. 24 of this year, Joe suffered a seizure while teaching at Phoenix Middle School in Camillus. Without any signs of health issues, Joe was later diagnosed with Stage 3 brain cancer. He began an initial six week treatment on Mar. 10 in Boston and the Adams family has incurred some extra expenses, due to lodging, travel and food.

Despite his ongoing fight against his illness, Joe remains extremely positive and is feeding off of the love and support from the people alongside of him. It is the hope of the men's lacrosse program at Wells that they can provide much-needed comfort to Joe and his family, including his wife, Jen, and his two grade school children, Jake and Sarah.

"I have had the opportunity to see Joe at many lacrosse events in upstate New York and have played with him in the Shove Park Box Lacrosse League," remarked Head Coach Christopher Bily, in his second season piloting the program. "He has always been an advocate for sportsmanship, hard work and dedication to the game. After hearing the news about Joe, it was an obvious decision to help not only Joe and his family, but to bring the team together in support of the cause."

Members of the men's lacrosse team will be collecting money around the clock, including at tables within the Wells College Dining Hall at lunch and dinner in the coming weeks. All proceeds raised will directly benefit the Friends of Joe Adams Fundraiser to help Joe and his family during his battle. Additionally, all men's lacrosse players will wear the initials "JA" on their helmets during the 2014 season to raise awareness of his illness.

FUNDRAISING FLYER

Men's lacrosse players at Wells are also participating in Mustache March. During the entire month, Wells players have been growing mustaches and collecting funds in the process. All of the players have taken to the idea and have been displaying their mustaches around campus for the past two weeks. The team members feel that there is no better way to raise awareness for an important issue than to embrace an unpopular social practice in an attempt to raise money for charity.

MUSTACHE MARCH "BEFORE" PHOTO GALLERY

On Friday, Apr. 4, every individual that participates will be recognized in an awards ceremony where players and coaches will be showing off their mustaches. In addition to a cookout, five different awards will be given out along with prices for each winner. The individual or team who raises the most money will be issued a $50 gift card to the Fargo Bar and Grill in Aurora.