News Story
October 10, 2016
Five-year-old to Serve as Honorary Captain for La Roche Men’s Soccer Team
PITTSBURGH, Oct. 10, 2016 – On Saturday, Oct. 22, the La Roche University soccer teams will have a special guest on the sidelines. Leo Zambori, a kindergarten student battling leukemia, will serve as honorary captain for the men’s team.
Leo, 5, is a huge soccer fan, and met La Roche sophomore and soccer player Conner Hagins this past April when Hagins visited the oncology ward at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC during the Cuddles for Kids second Kickin’ it With the Kids event. Hagins started the Cuddles for Kids charity in 2006 when he was just 9 years old. Since its inception, the charity has issued more than $16,000 in grants and donated more than $430,000 in toys, stuffed animals, coloring books and school supplies to children’s agencies and hospitals around the world.
In addition to having Leo serve as honorary captain, the men’s team will wear “I Wear Gold for Leo” T-shirts during warm-ups. The men’s and women’s teams are selling game day shirts with the proceeds going to help Leo’s family, and selling tickets for a Pittsburgh Steelers’ merchandise basket as another fundraiser for the family. Leo will draw the winner during half-time of the men’s game. Both teams also are donating the proceeds from a 50/50 raffle toward Leo’s care.
The Oct. 22 game, which is Senior Day for both teams, is open to the public and everyone is welcome to come out and support Leo and cheer on the Redhawks. The women’s game is at 1 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 3:15 p.m. The Zambori family, including father Chad, mother Natalie and older brother Nolan, will accompany Leo to the game.
For more information, visit www.larochesports.com. To learn more about Cuddles for Kids, visit www.cuddlesforkids.net.
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts college in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, six graduate degree programs and one doctoral program, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential college provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,500 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
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