SeaWolves Participate in Annual Dempsey Challenge

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (SMCC) —Student-athletes, coaches, and staff of the Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) athletics department participated in The College Cup as part of the Dempsey Challenge—a non-profit organization raising funds to improve the lives of people living with cancer.

The Dempsey Challenge operates as an annual bike/run/walk event stationed in Lewiston. This year, the challenge was reimaged to operate virtually using a fitness tracker application. The organization's goal was to raise $1.5 million and record 1.5 million miles in the month of September.

Five Maine colleges and universities participated in this year's College Cup to include Bates, Bowdoin, Maine Maritime, University of New England, and SMCC. Our very own SeaWolves contributed to both the fitness and fundraising component. SMCC student-athletes, coaches, and staff recorded a total of 2,584 miles, this the equivalent distance from Maine to California, with individual goals set to 50 miles to span September 1-30. In addition, the same group fundraised $955 to contribute to the grand total of $1,194,681.

Assistant Director of Athletics Ethan Wells commented, "I was extremely pleased to offer this opportunity to our department. In looking for ways to engage with student-athletes this fall, coaches were able to promote a fitness goal and align their programs to fundraise in support of a very special cause here in Maine. I look forward to our continued participation with the Dempsey Challenge."