The WJU Cardinals lent their support for the Wheeling, W.Va. youngster first diagnosed with stage four Neuroblastoma in 2013 by raising funds for the Hope for Hines charity at their dual meet vs. Ohio Valley University early Sunday afternoon ... then, later that day, at the university's annual Christmas Concert. In addition, all money collected in admissions to the dual -- as well as profits from the concession stand, and sales from donated t-shirts -- will be shared with the charity for Hines Rotriga as well.
Fans attending the first home dual of the season undoubtedly left the gym with a warm feeling, seeing their Cardinals shut out Ohio Valley, 44-0 ... and knowing their attendance helped a family in need.
"Our team believes in the university's mission to be men in service to others, and we make that a part of our culture," said WJU head wrestling coach Sean Doyle, who has been at the helm since the school launched its NCAA Division II mat program in 2013. "We thought our home opener was a perfect time to undertake a service project that would make an impact in our community. Supporting Hope for Hines is a way to help a local family during the Christmas season."
"One of the things within our Cardinal Culture which is kind of our mantra as a program is that we're going to be really involved with the community and always be willing to go out and give back," Doyle told WTRF-TV .
"It's just a part of our program where we like to give back and charity work is a big thing for us," said team captain Dominick Nania. "It's honestly great that we have the chance to do that when there's somebody in our area as well."
"I encourage our guys to follow his story and maybe at some time second semester when he's home he can be an honorary captain and sit on the bench with the guys," said Doyle, a Wheeling area native who wrestled at Cornell University.
Hines David Rotriga was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma the day after Christmas 2013. The son of Kevin and Debbie Rotriga of Wheeling was named for Hines Ward, formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The youngster's cancer returned in August; according to the Hope for Hines Facebook page, Hines Rotriga is currently in New York City for treatment at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Wheeling Jesuit University announced it was adding an intercollegiate wrestling program just before Christmas 2012. The school is a private, coeducational Roman Catholic university located in the city of Wheeling in the West Virginia panhandle, between Pittsburgh and Columbus, Ohio. Founded as Wheeling College in 1954 by the Jesuits, the school now has approximately 1,300 undergraduate students.
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