Inside this issue - Episcopal Academy

(l to r) Mark Farrell,
Sr. ’83, Mark Farrell,
Jr., and Jim Farrell ’82
Assistant
Athletic
Director
Jim
Farrell ’82
Raises
Over
$41,000 for The Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society
Takes part in Philadelphia Triathlon with Team in
Training to help his nephew
Just four days after Christmas last year, Jim Farrell’s seven-year-old nephew
Mark Farrell, Jr. — the son of Mark Farrell, Sr. ’83, was diagnosed with
cancer. Much of the holiday break and the weeks that followed were spent
helping the family and supporting young Mark.
Eager to do more, Jim began to call on his various sports connections in the area.
College and professional sports memorabilia came flowing in the door brightening
young Mark’s day. He had a visit from his father’s former classmate, Bruiser Flint
’83, head basketball coach at Drexel, and Greg Isdaner ’05, the starting offensive
tackle at West Virginia, dropped by with signed posters and hats. Episcopal connections
with the Phillies and Sixers brought welcome additions to his hospital room
décor and, more importantly, lifted his spirit.
Always interested in an athletic challenge, Jim attended an informational session
on Team in Training — a training program designed by the Leukemia and Lymphoma
Society that helps participants also raise money — and signed up to participate
in this year’s Philadelphia Triathlon to help his nephew.
The fundraising aspect was a welcome challenge for such a worthy cause. Jim set
a minimum goal of $10,000 and mobilized fundraising efforts by selling food at
multiple CYO regional playoffs, which provided enough money to cover the cost
for a Beef and Beer in March. Friends, family, and numerous members of the Episcopal
community pitched in. The fundraiser cleared over $17,000 dollars — thanks
to the help and generosity of many. Based on the success of the event, Jim increased
his goal to $25,000.
After a four-month period of training and fundraising, Jim completed the Philadelphia
Triathlon and blew past his fundraising goal, raising over $41,000 for the
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Team in Training recognized him for being the
top fundraiser in the country for this event, and after successfully completing the
race Jim was honored with a special achievement award at the triathlon award ceremony.
Collectively, the Team in Training Philadelphia Triathlon participants raised
over $875,000 dollars for the society.
Most importantly, young Mark is doing well with his treatments and thanks to
his father and uncle, is getting all the support he possibly can.
Harrity Shines
at World
Junior Squash
Championships
Receives praise for
his performance and
leadership of U.S. team
As a member of the United
States Junior Men’s Squash
team, Todd Harrity ’09, had
a fantastic summer, pleasantly
surprising the international squash
community with his stellar match play
at the 2008 World Junior Men’s Squash
Championships in Zurich, Switzerland
in July and August.
Harrity had a fantastic individual
showing, becoming the only American
to advance to the round of 16 before
losing to top seed Aamir Atlas Khan of
Pakistan. More importantly, Harrity led
the U.S. team to a 10th place finish, its
best since 2002. Over 150 players from
37 countries competed at the event.
“Todd was really one of the surprise
packages of the event,” U.S,
coach Martin Heath told Squash Magazine.
“He produced performances that
gained the recognition and respect of
all players and coaches… Not only his
play, but his demeanor on and off the
court was and is world class, a great
role model for the younger players
wanting to reach the highest level.”
16 Connections