BC player has Pack on his side

Less than a year ago, Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich crossed paths with N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson at the ACC football banquet in Tampa, Fla.

Herzlich was there to pick up his ACC defensive player of the year award. Wilson was being honored as the conference's rookie of the year.

They talked for a long time about how Herzlich got to Boston College, about the coach (Tom O'Brien) they have in common, and other things.

Wilson was playing summer baseball for the Coastal Plain League's Gastonia Grizzlies when he heard that Herzlich had been diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that occurs in the bones or soft tissue.

Wilson immediately said a prayer, but he and his teammates wanted to do more.

"It was a whole group effort," Wilson said. "Everybody wanted to help him out."

Fighting sarcoma

Although Herzlich has to fight the physical battle against Ewing's sarcoma on his own, his teammates found a way for supporters to honor him.

They have set up a fund for Ewing's sarcoma research through an organization called Uplifting Athletes. The nonprofit agency aligns college football teams with specific rare diseases, helping players run individual chapters to fight a particular illness.

One of Herzlich's teammates, Ryan Lindsey, learned about Uplifting Athletes from Penn State player Brett Brackett, who had competed in a high school all-star game with Lindsey.

"Everybody wanted to do something for Mark," Lindsey said, "but nobody knew what could be done."

Uplifting Athletes helped the Boston College players set up a team weightlifting competition as a fundraiser. Called "Lift for Life," the event raised $31,541, a record for a first-time event in the Uplifting Athletes program.

Thanks in part to Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, the Boston College chapter has continued to generate tens of thousands of dollars in donations. Swinney quietly contacted Herzlich's father, Sandy, to ask how he could help.

Sandy Herzlich told Swinney he could donate to Uplifting Athletes. Swinney presented Herzlich with a personal $5,000 check before the Sept. 19 game at Clemson.

"Dabo was really just doing it personally," said Uplifting Athletes executive director Scott Shirley. "...It got picked up by a few media sources, and then it really took off."

The Orange Bowl made a donation. Florida State contributed $9,400 in honor of Herzlich's number, 94. Expanding on that motif, Virginia Tech donated $9,494.94, and fans honored Herzlich with an ovation at last week's game.

Saturday's the goal

N.C. State is next on Boston College's schedule and will make a presentation to Uplifting Athletes on Saturday. Wolfpack players pooled some of their per diem money to collect more than $2,000.

With the help of a collection taken up from fans at last week's game against Duke, that total has grown to more than $7,500, with more donations still coming in.

Shirley said Uplifting Athletes invests donations in research through a scientific review by organizations specializing in the rare diseases.

Boston College is working with the Sarcoma Foundation of America.

Herzlich's achievement

Boston College coach Frank Spaziani said Herzlich has put Uplifting Athletes on the map.

Shirley praised Herzlich's generosity.

"He's embraced the position he's in to help other people," Shirley said. "He's been very selfless and very courageous the whole time."

Herzlich remains active with the Boston College team, helping direct the Eagles' young linebackers unless medical situations prevent him from doing so.

He has vowed to beat Ewing's sarcoma and return to the football field.

"He's just a heck of a person," Spaziani said, "...and we're looking forward to the day when hopefully he will run out of the tunnel with us."

For information on Uplifting Athletes and rare diseases, visit upliftingathletes.org. To learn about the Sarcoma Foundation of America, visit curesarcoma.org.

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