VCU, UR soccer rivalry fundraises for former teammate

Erica Terrini

News Editor

The long-standing rivalry between the VCU and University of Richmond women’s soccer teams is being taken off the field to fundraise for scholarships.

The funds are raised through an annual 5K race held April 11, which is sponsored by VCU Soccer and The Nicole Megaloudis Foundation.

Jamie Corti, the graduate assistant for VCU women’s soccer, said her department partnered with the foundation in 2004 after former VCU student and soccer player, Nicole Megaloudis died in a car accident.

Corti said Nicole’s mother, Gail Rongen, started the foundation to aid undergraduate students seeking to attend graduate school. Rongen now lives in Florida and has hosted fundraising events there and in other parts of the country.

The Commonwealth Times: What is the race’s objective?

Jamie Corti: We’re trying to keep raising awareness and hope people get who Nicole was and what she wanted to do.

The CT: What have the races accomplished since 2004?

Corti: Several VCU students have been the recipients of the scholarship as well as other students around the country. In all, over $100,000 have been raised, and 24 scholarships have been awarded.

The CT: How did you first get involved in organizing the race?

Corti: My first year at VCU I heard about the foundation and this annual event. Every year, VCU gets involved in the 5K here and does their part. This is kind of a way to remember Nicole—most of us weren’t here when she was.

The CT: This year you said you were preparing for the race that differs from previous years. Can you explain how?

Corti: We are competing with cross-town rivals UR soccer to raise money and awareness—a little friendly competition off the field. It’s great that they took part. This year we contacted Jen Woodie, the assistant coach of the UR women’s soccer team. She is a former VCU player and was a teammate of Nicole’s.

The CT: How will you use your rivalry to contribute to the race?

Corti: People who register will be able to say who got them to register, (either VCU or UR). It’s a smaller race. We get anywhere from 100 participants.

The CT: What have you and other organizers been doing to publicize the event and raise awareness?

Corti: We try and contact as many alumni as we can. Many come back or send donations. Now it’s six years since she has passed. With every year it is a little difficult. We’ve been passing out fliers, ran a 10k this weekend, publicized on Web sites, there’s a Facebook page and Jen has been sending out weekly reminders to all the alumni. It’s also a lot of word of mouth.

The CT: Have any other organizations partnered with you for the event?

Corti: The Center for Sport Leadership at VCU has helped raise awareness. Panera donated food for the day of the event. We’ve gone out in the community and gotten as many certificates from local businesses around Broad and Cary Streets for a raffle for participants.

The CT: How do VCU sport’s teams participate?

Corti: The teams are always involved in some way for community service. In the past, it’s primarily been men and women’s soccer and we’ve been trying to have one department. When Nicole was lost it was really a loss to the entire department. It’s team bonding for them and for other teams. Once the year starts, you really don’t have an opportunity to do that. We try to get off-season teams to participate because other teams might not have time.

For more information on the race and sponsors, visit:

www.remembernicole.org

www.vcuathletics.com/wso/php

www.richmondspiders.com/sports/w-soccer/rich-w-soccer.body.html

www.rrrc.org (Search Megaloudis Make it Happen 5K)

www.remembernicole.org

Facebook page – The Megaloudis Foundation