Fort Bliss Bugle

FORT BLISS BUGLE • May 22, 2014 • 13B
SPORTS
SPORTS
FORT BLISS BUGLE • May 22, 2014 • 17B
PRT may not be the most important thing we do each
>> day, but it’s the most important thing we do every day.
Sports briefs
Golden Boy Boxing Salutes
Troops, Monday: A Golden Boy
>>
Live! boxing event will be held Monday at Fort Bliss’ Stout Fitness Center.
In the main event, Rene “Gemelo” Alvarado defends his WBC silver featherweight title against Rocky Juarez.
Plus, top junior welterweight prospect
KeAndre Gibson makes his debut.
This free event will also feature Army
world-class Soldier athletes competing in undercard bouts. Alexandra
Love will also be fighting in the undercard bouts. Free tickets are available
at both ITR locations. There are only
1,500 tickets available for this limited,
live televised event. Initial tickets are
open to all DOD ID cardholders. All
remaining tickets will be open to the
public starting Friday at both ITR locations. 568-2554
Ten-Miler qualifier, June 13:
Photos by Master Sgt. Kelly McCargo / 1st AD Public Affairs
More than 50 cancer survivors officially kicked off the Relay for Life with a “victory lap” May 9 during the El Paso Relay for Life at Andress High School.
El Paso Relay for Life
Event raises more than $68K for cancer research
By Master Sgt. Kelly McCargo
Zumba Master Class, June 21:
Zumba into summer! Join Fort Bliss Fitness June 21 at 9 a.m. for the first Zumba Master Class. This special class will
feature all Fort Bliss Zumba instructors
plus a special guest. It will be a morning of high energy and fun. The class
is $3 for the two-hour session. Open to
the public. 744-5794
Basketball, June 7:
1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Public Affairs
Though 600 people registered, more than
775 El Paso citizens and Fort Bliss military
members participated in the El Paso Relay for
Life May 9 at Andress High School.
The relay generated more than $68,000 for
the American Cancer Society cancer cure research, an event organizer said.
“Overall I had a blast,” said primary Relay
organizer Staff Sgt. Jani Michielsen, the foundry
manager assigned to 1st Armored Division and
president of the Fort Bliss Better Opportunities
for Single Soldiers. “Compared to last year, we
had way more participation in the middle-field
events this year, and I was so excited to see that.
“More people stayed up until the end and
seemed enthusiastic about next year,” Michielsen added. “This year exceeded my expectations. I’m so glad that so many people took the
time out of their lives to walk with us against
cancer.”
Donations raised go toward cancer cure research, patient and family lodging, transportation to and from treatments, patient counseling,
and even cosmetic techniques and advice for
recovering patients.
“As far as Relay for Life of El Paso and Fort
Bliss, the goal for next year will be the same as
this year – most likely $100,000,” said Michielsen.
The event began with more than 50 cancer
survivors leading off with the initial “victory
lap.”
“It’s always very emotional being with other survivors – makes you think about all of the
things you went through (during treatment),”
said Sgt. 1st Class Shanata Bailey, a platoon
sergeant and flight medic assigned to the 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade.
Bailey, a three-year breast cancer survivor, said she was in “a state of praise” to be at
the event and celebrate her and her daughter’s
birthdays.
“My daughter was 5 when my treatments
began,” Bailey said. “My daughter truly understands what I went through, and she saw me
go through the mastectomy. I hope the children
who are old enough realize what it means for
the other children here with cancer, what they
are going through.
“In today’s society a lot of kids think everything is so easy – and adults, too, just think
everything is OK until they are slapped with the
reality of cancer,” Bailey added.
Many El Paso organizations and Fort Bliss
units and clubs participated in the event to raise
awareness and support for cancer research.
“I came out here to support the Fort Bliss
Audie Murphy Club and cancer awareness,”
said Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Keller, the division
operations noncommissioned officer assigned
Register to run the Commander’s Cup
Ten-Miler qualifier June 13 at 6 a.m.
at Soto PFC. There will be on-site registration from 5-5:45 a.m. This run is
open to all DOD ID cardholders ages
18 or older. 20751 Constitution Rd.
744-5794
Fort Bliss Intramural Sports will begin open basketball season June 7-July 26, 9 a.m.
at Soto PFC. Games played on Saturdays. 12 player rosters. Pre-season
clinic May 28, 6 p.m. at Soto. Cost:
$260 per team. Soto PFC, 20751 Constitution Rd. 744-5797
Body pump instructor training,
July 19-20: Les Mills Body Pump is
coming to Fort Bliss! Learn the skills
to become a Body Pump instructor
July 19-20 at Soto PFC. Registration
required.
http://www.lesmills.com/
southcentral/events/events.aspx. Cost:
$290. 744-5794
Softball, June 2:
The “Divas on Duty” participate in several charitable events but chose the Relay for Life in honor of friends and loved
ones who were lost to or survived cancer, May 9 at the El Paso Relay for Life. (From left): Sgt. Maj. Demita Vital, 1st
Armored Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion; Maj. Beth Luther, 212th Fires Brigade; Master Sgt. Kenya
Berry, 212th FB; and retired Sgt. 1st Class Sonya Porter.
to 1st AD. “Some of the squad leaders I knew
were diagnosed with cancer, and I know a Soldier now currently battling prostate cancer.
“I think it’s amazing that so many people
came out, but honestly I wish more people
would come out to support because it is such
a very good cause,” Keller added. “I hope the
kids learn to live a healthier lifestyle to prevent
cancer and understand how important volunteering is. It’s better to give than to receive.”
“This event is especially significant to me,
because of the effect losing my grandmother to
cancer has had on our entire family,” said 1st
Sgt. Derrick Austin, assigned to Company E,
3rd Squadron, 43rd Air Defense Artillery. “She
was really our cornerstone and the backbone of
our family. It’s amazing to me how much one
life can affect so many other lives.”
Some of the supporters had less than a day’s
notice about the event, but said they were still
more than happy to support.
“My sergeants that work in my shop and my
commander told me about this event this morning,” said Pvt. Micah Grant, a human resources
manager assigned to the 16th Engineer Battalion. “My grandfather in Dayton, (Ohio), is in
the hospital right now because he has been diagnosed with cancer … it’s not getting any better
… it’s gradually getting worse.
“Everyone is so excited to see all of the
survivors here walking around, and it’s a good
family oriented event,” Grant added.
“Next year I will be at Fort Lewis, (Washington), and look forward to getting tied into the
Relay for Life committee up there if possible,”
Michielsen said. “I do want to join a team if my
unit already has one. If not, I will ask to create
one.”
The music and festivities continued as participants took turns walking or running laps.
Each hour another challenge was introduced,
including wearing a “crazy hat,” costumes, a
glow-in-the-dark theme, and the men’s “dress”
competition.
Early in the Relay an obstacle race was
held among organizational mascots including
the University of El Paso’s Pickaxe Pete, Extreme Performance Fitness Man, Taco Bell’s
Mr. Taco, the Bowie High School Bears, the
Andress High School Falcon, Dish TV’s Hopper the Kangaroo, and the Chapin High School
Husky. UTEP’s Pete won the event, with Mr.
Fitness finishing second, and Mr. Taco in third
place.
During the “Mr. Relay,” several male participants wore women’s dresses and heels to show
solidarity for a cancer-free society and in hopes
of earning the title of “Best Dressed.”
“Though we haven’t reached our goal of
$100,000 this year, teams are encouraged to
fundraise until the end of the year,” said Michielsen. “I know my team will be selling T-shirts
for as long as people want to buy them.”
Anyone who would like to donate to Relay
for Life can still do so any time they wish just
by visiting www.relayforlife.org/elpasotx.
“A lot of people who are affected by cancer
feel as though there is no hope – that the word
‘cancer’ is a sentence,” Michielsen said. “Relay
for Life is a way to show people there is hope
– our survivors are our hope – and that if we
work together we can make cancer a word, not
a sentence.”
Commander’s
Cup Softball will run from June 2-July
31. 15 player rosters, one non-playing
coach. Rosters and AAA-162s must be
submitted prior to the first scheduled
game. Company-level teams only.
Games will be played at the Omar
Bradley Complex, 2953 Carter Rd.
568-6722 (Independent League), 7415931 (Armor League), or 568-7318
(11th ADA Brigade League).
Tower Day, June 7: Reach new
heights during Tower Day at Biggs
Park June 7 from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Cost: $6. Open to climbers ages 6 and
older; no reservations are required. All
needed equipment is provided. Biggs
Park, 11388 Sergeant Major Blvd.,
317-5618
Ultimate Summer Expedition,
Today: Pack your gear for an adven-
ture-filled weekend! Join Outdoor Recreation today-Monday for an overnight
rafting trip, hit up the crags for premier
Colorado rock climbing and end the
trip with North America’s longest zipline. Cost: $310 and includes rafting,
camping, climbing and ziplining fees,
equipment rental, transportation and
some meals. Advance purchase is
required; buy tickets at the Roberto
Loeza SAC, 20732 Constitution Ave.
744-1532
Volleyball, May 31:
Open Volleyball season will begin May 31 at 9
a.m. at Logan Heights PFC. Saturday
games. 12 player rosters, 7 games.
Open to all DOD ID cardholders 18
years of age and older. Cost: $260
per team. Logan Heights PFC, Bldg.
4797 Ellerthorpe Rd., 568-5198