March 23, 2010

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Members of the Maryland men's soccer team traded goals for baskets Tuesday when they participated in Justin's Quest, a nonprofit organization aiming to raise awareness about brain tumors.

The Terps took their game inside, shooting hoops with Justin Friedlander, a 13 year-old who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in March of 2009. The mission of Justin's Quest is to shoot a basket for every person diagnosed with a primary brain tumor each year in the United States. That's approximately 40,000 baskets.

"I've been a Maryland fan all my life," Justin said, noting he loves all Terrapin sports, but favors men's soccer the most. "Our goal is to shoot 40,000 baskets and raise awareness about brain tumors.

"I'd say we shot about 200 today. These guys, they were so kind and it was just fun to be out here playing with them."

Through Justin's Quest, the Friedlander family is raising urgently-needed funds for brain tumor research. Justin's Quest is aiming to raise $250,000 for the National Brain Tumor Society.

"It's a great experience and he is such a tremendous kid it's an incredible story," senior Doug Rodkey said. "It's actually an honor to come out and work for a cause like this. Justin is so inspirational to a lot of people."

Rodkey, along with head coach Sasho Cirovski, and teammates Zac MacMath, Jason Herrick, Casey Townsend, and Alex Lee, shot around with Justin and his younger brothers, Jacob and Joey, at the Comcast Center. The competition got pretty heated in a few games of knockout followed by a full-court battle where Justin hit the game-winning 3-pointer.

"We put a smile on Justin's face and I think he touched our hearts and put a smile on our face," Cirovski said. "He's a remarkable young man with incredible courage and incredible vision for such a young boy with an inoperable brain tumor.

"Seeing his commitment today, I wouldn't be surprised if he not only beat it but if he wasn't one of the key reasons why a lot of young boys in the future have a healthy life. His vision for this cause is inspiring and it was an honor to be a small part of his quest today."

For more information on Justin's Quest, including various ways to donate, please log on to www.justinsquest.com.