Forgive the alliterative title, but seemingly lost in the frivolity of this weekend’s Arts Fest was the other major event at Penn State this weekend. While thousands flooded the downtown area, to enjoy a weekend of music, art, and partying, dozens of athletes gave their all in an effort to raise money for kidney cancer, one of the rarest and deadliest cancers. And the eighth annual Lift for Life was Penn State’s most successful ever, bringing in more than $98,000 to support the Kidney Cancer Association’s research and awareness efforts.

The event has certainly come a long way since the inaugural Lift for Life in 2003, which raised just $13,000.

But as Lift for Life grows in stature and in reputation, it becomes more and more distanced from its inspiring origins.

Back in 2003, wide receiver Scott Shirley’s father was diagnosed with kidney cancer.  And though he wasn’t a doctor, Shirley decided to take action.  Teaming up with linemen Damone Jones and Dave Coslow, Shirley founded Uplifting Athletes, knowing that he could use the high profile of college football players to spread awareness and raise funds to combat rare diseases.  Thus, Lift for Life was born, and nearly a decade later, Scott Shirley’s dream to spread awareness has indeed come true.

Now, Uplifting Athletes has branches at 4 other universities, where student-athletes at Boston College, Maryland, Ohio State, and Colgate raise money to combat other rare diseases.  At Boston College, it’s Ewing’s Sarcoma, the cancer which affected linebacker Mark Herzlich.  And at Colgate, their third annual Lift for Life just raised over $8000 to combat neuroblastoma, one of the most common cancers affecting children.

Here at Penn State, it’s been Brett Brackett taking the lead as president of Uplifting Athletes, where he’s created new events, like last year’s Charity Video Game Tournament, and brought the work of Uplifting Athletes into the spotlight.  When Brackett arrived on campus, he was one of just a handful of student-athletes working in the group, and now, he presides over two dozen football players, all united with a common goal.

Given his years of commitment to the charity, it should come as no surprise that it was Brackett’s team, “OH Jersey,” which finished first of the 20 teams competing as he, Jack Crawford, Gerald Hodges, and Mike Zordich outlifted the competition.

When observers talk about Joe Paterno’s “Grand Experiment,” to prove that football players could indeed be student-athletes, it’s really just understating what Penn State football is all about.  At how many other schools do you see football players becoming leaders on campus and in the community? Where else are football players better known for their charity then their play on the field, as Brackett may well be?

Though Brackett’s contributions as a wide receiver may never parallel those of Derrick Williams and Deon Butler, he will leave just as lasting an impact on Penn State, and while Uplifting Athletes wasn’t the brainchild of Joe Paterno, it certainly carries in his tradition where football players are more than just that.

As Brackett explains, it’s almost an obligation on his part to go above and beyond what is expected.

“As college football student-athletes, we believe we are in a position to make a difference. Lift for Life is one way a small group of people can make a big impact on the lives of others.”

As Lift for Life continues to grow, and raises more and more money to help those battling rare diseases, we can point to it as just another reason to be Penn State proud.  And if you’re one of the thousands who makes the trek down to College Ave. and Allen Street ever summer, head up University Drive to Holuba Hall, and become a part of something that epitomizes what Penn State is all about.

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