TROY, N.Y. – In an effort to raise awareness about testicular cancer, as well as bring in money for cancer research, each member of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's hockey team has had their heads shaved following a home game at the Houston Field House. The Engineers' campaign concludes this weekend with the final three heads going bald – including
Kirk MacDonald's – as well as a special jersey raffle on Saturday.
MacDonald, a senior who was diagnosed with testicular cancer last April, will be the final player to have his head shaved when he goes under the razor following Saturday night's 29th Annual Big Red Freakout! against Brown (7pm). With a crowd of over 5,000 expected, MacDonald and classmate
Kevin Croxton, who will also have his head shaved that evening, hope to get at least $1 for every person in the building.
In addition to the head shaving, which includes senior
Keith MCWilliams after Friday night's game against Yale (7pm), a jersey signed by players from the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League, including the signature of rookie sensation Alex Ovechkin, will be raffled off. Raffle tickets will be available Saturday night, including prior to and after the game at the Big Red Freakout! Ice House at the Heffner Alumni House. The drawing for the jersey, which was donated by MacDonald's friend and current Capitals player Matt Pettinger, will take place at the Ice House on Saturday after the game.
A collective donation of $6,000 would nearly double the total amount of money already raised this season – all of which will be donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation in honor of MacDonald.
A captain, MacDonald expects to return to the ice for the 2006-07 season. Last season he was the team's leading scorer, including a dramatic last second goal to win the Big Red Freakout! over Brown, and Most Valuable Player. In 104 career games, the management major who hails from Victoria, B.C., has 35 goals and 41 assists for 76 points.
Anyone who wishes to contribute to the Rensselaer men's hockey team's efforts in raising money for cancer research but is unable to make it to this weekend's games, can contact Kevin Beattie, sports information director, via phone at 518-276-2187 or e-mail at beattk@rpi.edu.