ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The University of Maryland baseball team is honored to announce that Assistant Coach Matt Swope has been named one of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's inaugural Baseball Vs. Cancer Ambassadors. Comprised of current and former coaches, players and members of the press, Baseball Vs. Cancer Ambassadors represent the athletic community's shared resolve to raise awareness and funds for a world without childhood brain tumors.  
 
Since 2014, Swope and Maryland baseball have supported Vs. Cancer by raising over $100,000 and holding specific Vs. Cancer days at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium where the team shaved their heads and all proceeds went to the foundation to help fund lifesaving pediatric brain tumor research.
 
"It's an honor to continue our partnership with such a great organization," Swope said. "We have been on a mission since my sister passed in 2008 and are continuing that fight while my mom battles the same disease. We couldn't imagine a better way to get our Maryland baseball family involved in the community working with children in need! #FightCancer"
 
Since 2013, Vs. Cancer has empowered thousands of athletes to help kids with cancer. As a signature fundraising campaign of the PBTF, Vs. Cancer proceeds help fund groundbreaking research to cure pediatric brain tumors, the deadliest childhood cancer, as well as family support and child life programs in teams' communities.
 
Vs. Cancer Ambassadors recognize firsthand the importance of supporting the childhood cancer community and the positive impact it has on their team. They will serve as a resource for other coaches and teams by answering questions about the program, sharing their inspiring success stories and working with athletic departments to spread Vs. Cancer's mission and get more teams involved.
 
"The quality of coaching in our inaugural Vs. Cancer Ambassadors class is outstanding, but the quality of character is even greater," says Vs. Cancer Director Rachel Mark. "In the battle against pediatric brain tumors, finding a cure is no small task – but with the continued efforts of this group, we'll be able to support more children and families by increasing Vs. Cancer's presence throughout collegiate baseball and athletics."
 
The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Vs. Cancer Ambassadors program will expand in 2020 to include members from the lacrosse, softball, soccer and other athletic communities. Learn more at www.vs-cancer.org/vs-cancer-ambassadors or email info@vs-cancer.org