History:

The Inaugural Pigskin Pass

The idea for the Pigskin Pass was conceived in 2006 by Tyler Kupper, a junior and President of the University of Delaware’s Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC).

Looking for a way to utilize the energy and talents of student athletes in an effort to benefit the community, Tyler envisioned a football relay between two rivalry schools – utilizing student athletes to relay the ball and, in turn, accepting donations to support Special Olympics.

Joined by Towson SAAC President Ryan Schreiter and SAAC members from Delaware and Towson, the event received the blessing of both school administrations, as well as the support of law enforcement in Delaware and Maryland. The event was created and its motto became — ‘athletes supporting athletes.’

The student athletes held the inaugural Pigskin Pass – a two-day, 58-mile relay run from Towson to Delaware – on October 28, 2006, and it culminated with the delivery of a special game ball just prior to the start of the schools annual football game. Towson went on to claim a 49-35 win in the game, but despite the Tigers victory, the real winners of the day were the athletes of Special Olympics. The relay run attracted more than 120 student athletes from both schools and raised $7,599 for Special Olympics Delaware and $4,850 for Special Olympics Maryland – making a grand total of $12,500 raised for the athletes in Special Olympics!

2011

The 6th annual Pigskin Pass involved 365 students raising over $28,000 ($10,500 for SOMD and $17,600 for SODE). For the first time in the event's history, severe weather conditions forced the cancellation of the run itself.

Event Leadership:
TU - Meredith Kennedy and Jamie Salvador, Co-Chairs
UD - Lauren Kanaskie, Chair

University of Delaware 35 - Towson 30

2010

The 5th annual Pigskin Pass involved 340 student-athletes raising over $21,700 ($9,500 for SOMD and $12,200 for SODE.)

Event Leadership:
TU - Beth Daub, Chair
UD - Jessie Boynton and Meredith Rubin, Co-Chairs

University of Delaware 48 - Towson 0

2009

The 4th annual Pigskin Pass involved 380 student-athletes raising over $27,700 ($13,016 for SOMD and $14,743 for SODE.)

Event Leadership:
TU - Molly Frantz and Stephanie Taylor, Co-chairs
UD - Courtney Aburn, Chair

University of Delaware 49 - Towson 21

2008

The 3rd annual Pigskin Pass involved 350 student-athletes raising over $22,000 ($7,837 for SOMD and $14,232 for SODE).

Event Leadership:
TU - Stephanie Taylor and Brittany Woodfield, Co-chairs
UD - Alex Gambogi and Kevin Kemmerle, Co-chairs

University of Delaware 31 - Towson 21

2007

The 2nd annual Pigskin Pass involved over 260 student-athletes raising over $34,000 ($14,000 for SOMD and $20,000 for SODE).

Event Leadership:
TU - Claire Reitman-Grout, PAWS Chair.
UD - Evan Bowen, Chair and Adam Wright, SAAC President

University of Delaware 27 - Towson 7

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