April 19, 2010
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF softball team returns home Wednesday to host Bethune-Cookman in non-conference action. The 5 p.m. contest against the Wildcats will also serve as "Friends of Jaclyn Day" at the UCF Softball Complex, as the Knights will formally adopt Kay Clark through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (FOJ) following the game.
Kay, a member of the FOJ program, and the softball team have already spent time together on and off of the field, as she has served as the Knights' batgirl for several of the team's contests this season. Kay will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the game Wednesday against Bethune-Cookman.
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families. FOJ is all about love, support and friendship.
The organization matches a child with a college or high school sports team based on geographic location. Once the team and child have been matched, there is a ceremonial adoption. The relationship is a priceless gift. The gift is in the relationship; a child is gaining a loving support network and the team is gaining an insight into the value of life and the power of love. The result of this connection is mutual respect, support, friendship and love.
FOJ has completed over 230 adoptions in over 20 different sports and it currently has over 1,000 schools on a waiting list as FOJ grows from a small organization into a larger one.
The Foundation was inspired by Jaclyn Murphy, who was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, in March 2004, when she was nine-years-old. Jaclyn's strength and courage, relentless spirit and joy for life are an inspiration to those who know her. Jaclyn's wish is "for all the children in the hospitals to be healed." Jaclyn was adopted by the Northwestern women's lacrosse team.
For more information on the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, visit www.friendsofjaclyn.org or the foundation's facebook page.
Season tickets for the 2010 season are only $40 and are on sale now, while single-game tickets are also available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased online at UCFAthletics.com or through the Athletics Ticket Office by calling (407) 823-1000.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
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