April 29, 2009

Despite rainy weather all morning, over 150 members of the George Mason athletic department joined forces to participate in the 2009 Aimee Willard Memorial 5K Run/Walk. The event seeks to motivate students and reward them for their courageous efforts in promoting and defending victims' rights.

The Mason athletic department faculty and staff, which entered the race under the "Aimee's Army" banner, numbered 75 strong as they led the way in specially-designed bright green t-shirts commemorating the event. Now in its eleventh year, the annual Aimee Willard Memorial 5K Fun Run/Walk raises money for non-violence education while helping to bring the community together in support of victims' rights. Funds raised go to the Aimee Willard Endowment Scholarship Fund, which honors the memory of the former Patriot student-athlete.

Willard was a two-sport athlete at Mason, excelling in both soccer and lacrosse. She was a member of Mason's 1993 women's soccer team that earned the title of NCAA Division I Runner-up.

Additionally, Willard was chosen for the All-Colonial Athletic Association and regional All-American selection in 1996 for her stellar lacrosse performance. Although she lost her life to a brutal act of violence in June 1996 near Philadelphia, her legacy continues to live on.

U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) was one of several sponsors for the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act, which was passed by the U.S. Congress in 2000 and signed into law by President Bill Clinton on Oct. 28, 2000. It has popularly become known as "Aimee's Law."

A large number of Mason student-athletes were involved as well, including the women's basketball and lacrosse programs. Each team sought to honor Willard's memory while raising awareness for victims' rights.

"We were honored to be part of the Aimee Willard 5K today," said head lacrosse coach Lauren Rywak. "To spread awareness and support Aimee's message meant a lot to our team. Aimee was a big part of Mason Athletics and it is a great feeling to know that we are keeping her memory alive."

"We are extremely excited and proud to have the opportunity to join the Mason community in supporting such a worthy cause," said head women's basketball coach Jeri Porter.

The race began and finished in front of the Center for the Arts, with an awards ceremony and picnic sponsored by Subway for all participants followed the conclusion of the race. Prior to the opening signal, a number of members of the Mason community spoke to the crowd. Among them, Billie Sims, a former teammate and friend of Aimee Willard, spoke on Aimee's behalf to the crowd of participants, sponsors and supporters assembled at the starting line.

Among the student-athletes who entered the race, there was a sense of the importance of the race's cause along with the chance to participate in the community.

"I feel grateful to participate in an event that supports such a great cause," said sophomore women's basketball player Brittany Eley. "It makes me very appreciative of what I have and the opportunities that are made available to me through the athletic community here at George Mason. I believe it is an obligation of a Mason athlete to not only be the best at the sport we play, but to also serve as a postitive influence toward the school itself and the community."

Mason Athletics and the Patriot Club partnered with George Mason University Police, ROTC and Sexual Assault Services to combine both races into one large event to further promote Victims' Rights Week as well as increase awareness and education as part of a campus-wide effort to prevent sexual assault.

"We believe that it is important for all of our female student-athletes to know that they are connected to an athletic department and a campus at large that values their safety and well being. This will certainly be an annual event for the women's basketball program," Porter added.

"Events such as the Aimee Willard Run/Walk make me proud to be part of the Mason athletic community because of the amount of support shown," Eley said. "It shows how athletes from every sport at Mason can come together to support one great cause."