News: Loudoun County's "Hoops for Heroes Night" Raises Whopping $16K for Wounded Warrior Project

U.S. Army Specialist Josh Wetzel, with wife Paige on right, receives a
signed basketball from Loudoun County High junior Maggie Phillips

(Feb. 8, 2013) - Loudoun County High School junior Maggie Phillips and the girls and boys basketball programs set the bar high when she and her classmates organized the first "Hoops for Heroes Night" in January. The goal was an ambitious $10,000 that would go towards the Wounded Warrior Project.

They didn't reach $10,000 ... they blew past that mark as Phillips says that the final tally for the big night was a whopping $16,092 raised.

"The night was a success -- there was a lot of patriotism and appreciation," said Phillips. "Our guest of honor, U.S. Army Specialist Josh Wetzel spoke to us all during halftime about what the Wounded Warrior Project has meant to him and it inspired people to donate."

Editor's note: That the Raider boys and girls varsity basketball teams defeated Leesburg rival Tuscarora that night were truly secondary ... there were no losers on the evening, only winners ... The standing ovation that Wetzel received from the fans when he went to center court was a moment that I will not forget.

News: Loudoun County's Hoops for Heroes is Halfway to Raising 10K Goal with Big Night Scheduled for Jan. 24

(Jan. 8, 2013) - The Loudoun County High School basketball program's Hoops for Heroes Night, which will be held Jan. 24 when the Raiders boys and girls teams take on rival Tuscarora, is halfway to a goal of raising $10,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project. The next phase of fundraising includes a very cool t-shirt hand-designed by Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley.

"I'd like to thank everyone for your amazing response so far to the LCHS Hoops For Heroes Night which will be held Jan 24th, 2013," said organizer, Raider junior Maggie Phillips. "So far we have raised close to $5,000 (through Sponsorships) toward our total goal of $10,000 total for the Wounded Warrior Project."

According to Phillips the next phase of fundraising consists of:

• ONLINE DONATIONS visit the event webpage at: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/individual-fundraising/LCHSHoopsForHeroes/
   
•  RAFFLE TICKET SALES Michael Anderson, varsity boys captain, is coordinating the raffle of an iPad Mini and the winner will be drawn/announced during halftime of the boys varsity game on Jan. 24. All players from the five Raider basketball teams will be selling tickets. Tickets will also be sold at the event (winner does not have to be present to win).
   
• T-SHIRT SALES Chris Cooley from the Washington Redskins has hand-designed and generously donated 500 Reebok t-shirts with an amazing logo and artwork to commemorate our big night. T-shirt sales will begin shortly. If you purchase a shirt and wear it to the game you will get in free! 

Please contact Phillips at go2hitter@aol.com with any questions regarding the event. Katerina Kushner, the Promotions Chairman, or Michael Anderson can also answer any questions.

Wrestling: Loudoun County's "Duals for the Warriors" to Raise Funds for Wounded Warrior Project; Sgt. Anthony Rico to be Honored

Leesburg (Dec. 14, 2012) - Loudoun County High School will host the inaugural "Duals for the Warriors" Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012 with all the money raised from t-shirt sales at the wrestling meet going to the Wounded Warrior Project. Wrestling starts at 9 a.m. and goes all day.

The Raiders will also honor a veteran who was wounded while serving. The first honoree is Sgt Anthony Rico, who served with Loudoun County wrestling coach Joel Caruso.

"I had the honor to serve with Sgt Rico in the US Army. Fresh out of basic training he came to my squad," said Caruso. "At first I thought he was very cocky and as his squad leader Rico was doing a lot of push-ups ... his cockiness was really his confidence and quickly, Rico became my Team Leader."

Caruso continued: " He showed great leadership and always pushed to soldiers to be better."

Caruso wanted to share a story on Rico and a video that features Rico:



Sgt Anthony Rico's Story

I was your average kid, a bit rebellious coming out of High School, not real sure what I was going to do with my life. In Jun-2000 an Army recruiter came to my door and asked if I wanted to see the world. At the time I had nothing better going on in my life and no real plans on which college I would attend. In Oct-2000 I departed in my first airplane ride over to Fort Benning, Ga, home of the Infantry, Boy was I in for a surprise.

Basketball: Loudoun County Seeks Sponsors for Hoops for Heroes Night

(Dec. 7, 2012) - Loudoun County High School is seeking sponsors for its Hoops for Heroes Night on Jan. 24, 2013. The event, which benefits the Wounded Warrior Project, features five basketball games between the Raiders and their Leesburg rival Tuscarora.

The event is being organized by Raider junior basketball player Maggie Phillips, who will attend the Naval  Academy starting in 2014-15, where she will play NCAA Division I volleyball.

"I wanted to do something for the community," said Phillips. "Both of my parents served, so this is an issue near and dear to my heart."

Phillips said her father graduated from VMI and served 23 years in the Marines including two tours in Iraq and that her mother graduated from the Naval Academy and was an aviator who now flies commercially.

"It is going to be a fun night. It is an intense rivalry. The students will be dressed in camo and the ROTC will be there," said Phillips.

Phillips is looking for local sponsors to pay $200 to support the evening. Sponsorship includes acknowledgement in the program, two game passes, free table to showcase products/services at the event, PA announcements during the games and more. For details see this flyer.

Wrestling: Loudoun County Schedules Events to Help Raise Funds for Red Cross Hurricane Relief and Wounded Warrior Project

Leesburg (Nov. 6, 2012) - The Loudoun County High School wrestling team has two events scheduled to benefit two great causes -- a Blue and Gold Night intra-squad match on Nov. 24 to benefit Red Cross (Hurricane Sandy donations) and the Dec. 15 Duals for the Warriors which supports the Wounded Warrior Project.

Those interested in sponsoring the event please contact Raider coach Joel Caruso, coach_caruso@yahoo.com.

Football: Champe to Honor Veterans on Military Appreciation Night Nov. 2

(Oct. 24, 2012) - John Champe High School will honor veterans at Military Appreciation Night on the final home game, Nov. 2 when they host Madison County.

All Veterans in attendance will be recognized on the field before the game. Every fan in attendance will be giving a small American flag at the gate to wave during the ceremony.

Champe is working with the Virginia Wounded Warrior program and a portion of the gate from the game will be donated to the organization.