On Sunday, December 7, members of the men’s cross country team took an afternoon off to help out a lending hand at the 5k Ric Buxton Memorial Scholarship race in West Boylston.  

Throughout the duration of the road race, 19 student-athletes aided in the set-up and breakdown, guided the runners throughout key points in the course and assisted during various facets at the finish line.

The race is named after Buxton, a 1975 graduate of Worcester State, who was an avid cyclist, tri-athlete and an advocate for running in the Central Massachusetts community through his involvement with the Central Massachusetts Striders for more than two decades.

After his untimely death in 1998, the Central Mass Striders established a scholarship in memory of Buxton, which is awarded through the Worcester State University Alumni Foundation, for students who are involved with extracurricular activities.

Noting that it was the eighth year that the men’s cross country team has helped facilitate the running of the road race, head coach Al Halper explained that he had a close personal relationship with Buxton and there were a number of other reasons for his squads involvement.

“He was a great friend and a former roommate,” said Halper. “I wanted to try to help raise money for his scholarship as there have been several track and field athletes who have benefited from it.

“There was also the obvious Worcester State alumni connection and I thought it would be a great way for the cross country team to give back and spread it forward.”

The men’s track and field team has been involved in other area projects throughout the year.

More recently, the squad pitched in at the third-annual Reliant Fall Fitness 5k on Saturday, October 4, which saw more than 220 entrants from around New England compete.

Pictured Above: Members of the Worcester State take a picture together outside the Harold N. Keith West Boylston American Legion Post while volunteering at the Ric Buxton '75 Memorial Race

Pictured Below: Teammates on the Worcester State men's track and field squad pose on the ice after helping out at the Jingle Bell Walk on December 7 as apart of a fundraiser