Torero athletes light the night for Haggy

The staff and students of USD Athletics walked to cure leukemia last year in support of men's tennis coach Tom Hagedorn, who was a survivor at the time. They walked again this year, but this time in memory of Coach "Haggy".
Coach Haggy was one of the most beloved members of USD Athletics. His colleagues describe him as one of the kindest, most cheerful men one could ever meet.
"Team Haggy" walked at the event in memory of Hagedorn, who lost his battle with Leukemia earlier this year at only 43 years old. As a sub-team of Team Haggy, USD Toreros walked not only to honor Hagedorn but also to continue the work he started before he died.
"Even though Tom personally experienced the devastating effects of the disease, what touched him was seeing what the children had to go through," said Donna Holston, Executive Assistant for USD Athletics. "He truly wanted to see a cure found not just for himself but for all of the victims of the disease."
"When asked how he was he would always respond ‘Just living the dream,'" says Sherri Stephens, Head Coach for USD women's tennis and longtime friend of Hagedorn. "I knew Tom since he was about ten years old and he always had a positive attitude in life. I was shocked when he told me he had Leukemia and I even thought he was joking at first."

Stephens adds, "I think participating in this walk is also part of a healing process for me and everyone else who knew Tom. We need a way to remember him and keep his memory going." Athletics set out with some very ambitious goals for this year's event. They won the challenge for raising the most funds in a single day, which earned them the honor of leading off the walk.
Raising at least $10,000 earns a team their very own tent at the walk site and Team Haggy has managed to reach far beyond that goal. "I thought it was unattainable," said Holston, "but we are thrilled that we were able to do it!" For Holston, the cause is doubly important as her 46-year-old niece is currently in remission after having two stem cell transplants.
Ron Valenzuela, coordinator of Student Athletic Services, said, "Community service is an integral part of who we are as a University and something we believe in and are committed to as a department. Light the Night is an event where we can come together to show our support." The Athletics Department has indeed been showing their support and every member of the USD community has the opportunity to as well.