During last Saturday’s Admiral’s Cup football game with Maine Maritime, the Massachusetts Maritime Student-Athlete Advisory Committee raised $1,000 in support of the Pat Tillman Foundation, as the “Honoring Our Heroes” event provided a day-long celebration of veterans and all current servicemen and women.  Because of the overwhelming popularity and response last week, the Buccaneer SAAC will continue its fundraising efforts on behalf of the Tillman Foundation during this Saturday’s Homecoming contest with Worcester State at Clean Harbors Stadium that kicks off at 12:30 p.m. EDT.

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.

Donations in support of the Pat Tillman Foundation will be once again be collected by Buccaneer student-athletes, and Tillman Foundation Nike Dri-Fit shirts will also be available for purchase next to the concession stand on Buccaneer Way.

For more information on the Pat Tillman Foundation, please visit www.pattillmanfoundation.org.