SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Sports teams are competitive by nature and Susquehanna University Director of Athletics Don Harnum is hoping to stimulate those competitive juices among his teams, not to mention some blood cells, while helping the Red Cross in its annual Blood Drive this Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. at the university's O.W. Houts Gymnasium. The drive will honor long-time Red Cross volunteer and Susquehanna Professor of Chemistry Neil Potter, who is also Susquehanna's football kicking coach and former head men's soccer coach.
Harnum has offered to contribute $200 to the fund-raising account of the Crusader sports team with the highest percentage of athlete participation in giving blood at Thursday's drive. With the possible exception of the spring sports teams, which are presently in season, participation and competition is expected to be fierce among the Crusader teams.
"The fact that we have a huge percentage of extremely healthy people in athletics leads me to believe that we have some people who can give up a pint of blood to someone who is more in need," said Harnum.
The Susquehanna football team was already set to participate, even before Harnum's money-making offer. Earlier this semester, the Bucknell University football team had a competition between its offensive and defensive units to see who gave the most blood at a similar Red Cross drive in Lewisburg. That prompted Briggs to get his team involved when the Red Cross came to campus, setting a goal that he hopes his team can donate 100 pints.
"Our goal is 100 pints, which means we need our players to donate and also bring friends. Bucknell got the ball rolling with their involvement up there and we'd like to do our part here – particularly since this drive is honoring Doc Potter and he is one of our coaches," said Susquehanna's head football coach Steve Briggs, who completed his 10th season last fall.
Blood levels in the Red Cross are dangerously low nationwide and organizers are hoping for a big turnout. Pizza will be served to all donors.
