The first annual “Purple Out” basketball game was held on Friday, January 29 against Hollidaysburg. The Greater Latrobe Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) club helped raise over $1,000 dollars for the Relay for Life Foundation.

Senior, Ashley Leonard is to thank for putting this all together. “I have been a big part of Relay for Life for about six years now and thought a Varsity Boy’s Basketball game would be a great and fun way to get the Greater Latrobe School District and the community involved in raising money for this great organization. The Den not only showed support for our home team, but also for everyone affected by cancer directly or indirectly,” said Leonard.

Ashley took the idea to the FCA after Relay for Life brought it to her attention. They sold the “Purple Out” T-shirts in honor of all types of cancer to teachers and students during lunches the week of the game.The FCA and Latrobe Relay for Life team sold about 175 T-shirts. After months of planning, the FCA made the event worthwhile.

Leonard has a soft spot. “Relay for Life has been near and dear to my heart since I began relaying in honor of the loss of my grandfather’s battle with cancer which he lost last April,” said Leonard.

On Friday night, the FCA’s goal was to raise cash for all those fighting cancer. The Den, cheerleaders, basketball team, coaches, administration, and fans were all a part of the success.

The FCA club is a student lead and student run club that uses sports as a way to teach the values of service, integrity, teamwork, and excellence.

“We strive to help our athletes be their best on and off the field,” said FCA leader Marty Martinosky. The club meets every Thursday after school in C106 and currently has about 88 active members. Anybody can join the club, athlete or not.

Vice President junior Mckenna Martinosky was so excited about helping the cause. “We helped get t-shirts to raise money that would be donated to Relay for Life. The point of it was basically to get people involved in Relay for Life and to raise as much money as possible. FCA is all about giving back and doing all that we can to help other people. That’s really what our goal, as a club, was with this all.”

Mt. View Elementary kindergarten teacher Julie Teslevich, Event Lead for the Latrobe Relay for Life and Team Captain for the GLSD Relay for Life team was a mentor to Ashley in her “Purple Out” pursuits.

Teslevich, alongside Deb Wnek, a retired GLSD teacher and Luminary Chairperson for Latrobe Relay, Teresa Kenicutt, the other Event Lead for Latrobe Relay, and Sue Bebin, the Logistics Chairman of Latrobe Relay set up an information table and sold Relay for Life items at the game.

Teslevich also made purple cheer bows for the cheerleaders to wear in support of the “Purple Out”.  Even the boys basketball team got involved in the “Purple Out”. The Boy’s Basketball Boosters purchased “Purple Out” shirts for the starting line up to throw out to the crowd.

During halftime, half of the 50/50 proceeds ($180) were given to Ashley and Mrs. Teslevich by the Boy’s Basketball Boosters to donate to Relay for Life and the FCA. The Latrobe Relay for Life would like to thank the community for the awesome “purple out” and all of the support. The Annual Latrobe Relay for Life will be held on July 4-5 2016.