Xaverian and St. John’s Prep Soccer Continue Powerful “Play for Runway” Tradition

For the past five years, the Xaverian Brothers High School and St. John’s Preparatory School soccer programs have come together for something much bigger than the game, using their annual matchup to support Runway for Recoveryand families impacted by breast cancer.

Through the Play for Runway initiative, the two teams have raised more than $20,000 over five years. Those funds provide direct financial assistance to families facing metastatic or terminal breast cancer, as well as families grieving the loss of a parent to the disease.

What makes the initiative especially meaningful is the opportunity for student-athletes to understand exactly how their efforts can change someone’s life.

Runway for Recovery helps make the impact tangible for the players by sharing stories of families who have directly benefited from their fundraising. In one memorable example, funds raised through the game helped cover the cost of sports for a young person whose parent was undergoing cancer treatment, allowing that child to continue participating in something they loved during an incredibly difficult time.

For the athletes, stories like these help transform fundraising from an abstract idea into something personal and relatable.

“Play for Runway is about taking something students already love — their team, their sport, their school community — and giving them a way to use it to help another family,” shared Olivia Boger of Runway for Recovery.

This year, Xaverian has 24 players and two managers participating in the program. Over the course of the five-year partnership, more than 125 Xaverian soccer players have taken part in the tradition.

The partnership began when St. John’s Prep invited Xaverian to participate, and it has continued to grow into an annual tradition centered on compassion, awareness, and service.

For both programs, the game represents far more than competition. It gives student-athletes the chance to see how their teamwork and commitment can directly support children and families facing some of life’s most difficult circumstances.

By continuing to Play for Runway, Xaverian and St. John’s Prep are showing how high school athletics can become a powerful vehicle for service — helping kids remain kids, supporting families when they need it most, and turning a soccer game into lasting community impact.