NEW YORK, N.Y. – For the second-straight year, the LIU Post men’s lacrosse and basketball teams took the time to help out at the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers 5K Run and Walk on Sunday.
The Pioneer student-athletes spent eight hours assisting with setup and working at the finish line.
The event follows the path that New York City firefighter Stephen Siller took to reach the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Siller strapped 60 pounds of gear to his back, rushed on foot through gridlocked traffic and ran from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he gave up his life to save others on the tragic events of that day.
“This was an awesome event to be involved with,” Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach John Jez said. “The event celebrated its 15th anniversary, honoring those who gave their lives trying to help others. It was a wonderful experience for the team to give back and help this charitable organization. It does so much to embrace the lives of our injured military and those that gave so much, as well.”
“It is such a great event for our guys to work,” Head Men’s Basketball Coach Erik Smiles stated. “Tunnel to Towers has raised so much money for veterans and first responders through their hard work and to help in that effort is such a special thing for our guys to participate in.”
Smiles later added: “Being able to take our team to the reflection pool where the towers once stood was important for our guys. They got to understand the magnitude of what took place that day and how many gave so much and how some gave all. I don’t think there is a better event to give our time and energy to.”
The goal of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation is to continue Stephen’s legacy by supporting our nation’s first responders and service members. Building for America’s Bravest, a program of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, constructs specially adapted smart homes for our most catastrophically-injured service members.
For more information on Stephen Siller and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, please visit Tunnel2Towers.org.
