On Saturday^{, t}he Massachusetts Maritime Department of Athletics and the Buccaneer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will pay tribute to servicemen and women from all sectors during the home opening football game against Maine Maritime at Clean Harbors Stadium.  “Honoring Our Heroes” will be a day-long celebration of veterans and all current servicemen and women which will also serve as a fundraising event for the Pat Tillman Foundation. 

In 2002, Pat Tillman, a GTE Academic All-America and Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year at Arizona State University, proudly put his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve his country. Family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Pat’s death in April 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Created to honor Pat’s legacy of leadership and service, the Pat Tillman Foundation is a national leader in providing academic support and resources to veterans, active-duty service members and their spouses. Through the Tillman Military Scholars program, the foundation annually awards academic scholarships for military veterans and spouses who are committed to a life of service in and out of uniform. To date, the Pat Tillman Foundation has invested nearly $10 million in academic support and scholarships, helping nearly 350 Tillman Military Scholars continue serving our country and communities through their studies in medicine, law, business, government, education and the arts.

During the 42^nd Annual Admiral’s Cup contest with Maine Maritime, donations in support of the Pat Tillman Foundation will be collected by Buccaneer student-athletes, and Tillman Foundation apparel will also be available for purchase.  A special on-field pre-game ceremony will take place involving both teams, and former Tillman Military Scholars, along with Cape Cod veterans, will serve as honorary game captains.

Kickoff for this year’s Admiral’s Cup is set for Noon EDT.  For more information on the Pat Tillman Foundation, please visit www.pattillmanfoundation.org, and for additional information on Buccaneer Football and all Massachusetts Maritime varsity athletics, please visit www.mmabucs.com.